<p>I have a nephew, (rising HS junior), who's starting his search process and he's asked for some help, (I seem to be the family expert on college searches, having helped my own two kids as well as 4 other nieces and nephews). On the surface his wants are pretty straight forward - Econ or Business plus computer science. </p>
<p>Where it gets interesting is the computer science part. He is very good at putting together customized applications - he's written a calendar/organizer "app" and is very good with computer graphics applications. But he doesn't want to design hardware and he doesn't desire or consider himself to be a "code monkey" (his term), so a Computer Science Engineering degree seems like overkill to him. On the flip side, Operations or Information Management taught at business schools seem too "lightweight" and a bit off target. There is also a bit of the entrepreneur in him and I could easily see him starting his own business based around computers.</p>
<p>Anyone here at CC have any ideas on programs and schools combining these two interests: Business/Economics (strong interests) with Computer Science Applications skills?</p>
<p>Stats-wise: 3.75 - 3.8-ish UW, I'm guessing 4.0-4.1 W (getting the details later)
PSAT: 200
First go round SATs: 2130 (730 CR, 700 M, 700 W)
All the usual and necessary EC, volunteering, work etc.</p>
<p>FWIW, yes I've had the money discussion with his parents.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon might be an option since it is strong both in Computer Science (SCS) and Business/Economics (Tepper). I don’t know if they offer a dual degree/double major though.</p>
<p>University of Chicago has a great Economics program, and its computer science is pretty solid on the theoretical front. It’s also easier to double major there because of the quarter system, which allows you to take more classes in four years.</p>
<p>Thanks to all the early responders. My concern is that the Comp Sci route is too “engineering” for him and not enough “application”. I know I’m doing a bad job describing the problem; right now I’m leaning toward suggesting a Financial or Quantitative Economics major with some sort of Computer minor. The ideal thing would be a Econ or BSchool program with more extensive computer applications work - something beyond the standard Info Mgmt track. </p>
<p>I’m not sure of what you mean. What do you feel to be the difference between engineering and applications? What exactly about computer science engages and interests him? Do he like coding? Problem solving? Or doing P=NP proofs?</p>
<p>I know I’m doing a lousy job of it. From my perspective he enjoys the problem solving aspect of it if by problem solving you mean adjusting applications to meet his/customer needs. From what I can tell he is comfortable working with the inner guts of the code. He seems to like taking existing products and molding them to his purposes.</p>
<p>Maybe the best analogy I can give you relates to me: relatively early in my career Microsoft came out with the Excel spreadsheet software; while macros (pre-defined functions) and their use seemed obvious to me, they were like “greek” to many of my colleagues. I was almost intuitively able to construct tables and spreadsheets driven by the macros; to my co-workers my macros looked like computer code, but in reality I have no real clue how Excel actually works, I just knew how to exploit it.</p>
<p>To me “Computer Science Engineering” means two things, hardware and software. The hardware end seems to hold no fascination for my nephew, so classes on circuit design seem like a potential turn off, (frankly any EE class seems like brain death to me, but that’s just me). He likes the software end, but I doubt that he has the slightest interest in operating systems or blood and guts coding. He understands that he needs a base knowledge of coding, design and math, but where he shines is when you give him an established piece of software and then he makes it dance.</p>
<p>Obviously this is my interpretation of his skills. From my perspective he could be that financial executive who understands the engineering and can also translate that for the bankers.</p>
<p>Hmm, interesting. If you don’t mind, what state does he live in?</p>
<p>The Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln comes to mind. ([UNL</a> | Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management](<a href=“http://raikes.unl.edu/]UNL”>http://raikes.unl.edu/)) You can graduate with a Business or Computer Science degree (or both, with any combination of minors), and it involves a rigorous curriculum in leadership through technical aptitude. And if you get in (it’s rather selective) room n’ board (at a spanking new dorm) is waived, so it’s a nice deal.</p>
<p>If you live in California, Berkeley is nationally ranked #1 for Computer Science (just CS, no engineering) and #2 for Business, though I’m not sure how easy it would be to double in both subjects.</p>
<p>Brown has one of the best CS departments in the country, especially for undergrads. We have an existing Computer Science-Economics degree that’s popular.</p>
<p>although i’m not sure about their computer science programs, usc and drexel university have excellent programs for economics/businesses. drexel i highly recommend because of the co-op option, which guarantees many job opportunities after college and has many internships for undergraduates</p>
<p>Honestly, he sounds like he would be more interested in Software Engineering than Computer Science. CS is a lot of algorithm design, compilers, OSes, etc. SE is more industry, designing and writing large scale applications, how to do enterprise, things like Agile/Waterfall…</p>
<p>Lehigh has a CSB program: a BS in Computer Science/Business. The school’s pretty well known for its engineering and business programs, so your nephew will be well off. =)</p>
<p>The best match for his interests is to major in business and get a minor in CS. Take a look at CMU’s Tepper school. They have a major called Computing and Information Technology. It will not be lightweight.</p>
<p>Penn has a program called Management and Technology
you get two degrees, one from Wharton, and one from Penn Engineering
Of course, its nearly impossible to get into, but its a great program!</p>