Emory for Math and CS undergrad, will it be good enough?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>A quick background story to get people oriented:</p>

<p>So initially, I came to Emory with the intention of becoming a business major since I know that that is one of the things the school is known for. The second major or minor would have been something purely out of interest (Chinese, CS, etc). Now however, I've found that business doesn't truly interest me. It's the math and computer science courses that really have me sitting there in awe. That being said, I've begun the process of making a full U-turn with my studies, trying to refocus on the subjects that actually interest me.</p>

<p>Now the actual problem:</p>

<p>With math and computer science as my primary focuses, I now question whether or not Emory is the right place to pursue my studies if I intend on going on to a prestigious math and CS grad school (MIT, Stanford, Berkley, Carnegie-Mellon, Caltech, etc.).</p>

<p>*side note: the dream is to work in robotics (not the lame bomb-patrol-rover stuff, but rather the android, AI ,and iRobot sort of deal. Nasa and space stuff is cool too I guess...) </p>

<p>For a while I looked at the Emory-Georgia Tech dual degree program since it offered me the chance to go over to Tech and pursue computer engineering, something I hear they're known for. That would allow me to get a degree at Emory as well as one at Georgia Tech. However, this program requires 5 years of work as well as rushing through school to make it through Emory in 3 years before effectively transferring. I also thought about transferring completely to Tech (or some other school----I'm not a local of Georgia, so I don't necessarily have to stay here for school) that's better with math and science. However, at the moment, I don't think my GPA or past course selection (given that I was on the path for the B-school) would really help me all that much. The other issue is that I really do like Emory. I have a great support network of friends here that I've met from all over the country. It was always my opinion that you only transferred if you didn't feel like your home institution was making you happy. </p>

<p>Currently my GPA sits at about a 3.48 (This is due to my lack of interest in some of the finance and economics courses that I was taking). I'm also a rising sophomore, so there is time to improve this substantially, I think.</p>

<p>So now I ask those across the internet if they have any thoughts or words of advice for my situation. Nobody hold back, because if I need a reality check, just give it to me straight.</p>

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<p>A friend of mine just graduated with that. She’s at Stanford now. If you can take some grad courses, get 315 and 351 done asap (like first semester junior year. maybe even sophomore year), and get into a decent RIT, you’ll have a good shot at those goals.</p>

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<p>A 3.48 is decently strong. Avoid beating yourself up over it please. In addition, if you get involved in lots of interesting Tech based internships or make lots of connections (maybe attend events at GT to network), you can probably do anything you want. I would imagine that in your field of interest, it’s about building skill and perhaps doing research (as you are going for grad. school oppurtunities) moreso than the fact that your GPA isn’t perfect. Grad. school admissions will want to see high interest, passion and competence in your area of interest. Your GREs and stuff will speak loads. This isn’t med. school admissions which essentially asks for perfection. People get into top grad. programs all of the time without being academically perfect in the traditional sense (GPA). Much more of a whole package is taken into account than in prof. school admissions. </p>

<p>Anyway, follow aluminum’s advice and get as deeply involved as you can with the CS major dept. and doorways may open up for you (sense it’s so small, the faculty will really look out for your interests and will probably help you make the appropriate connections. This same pattern is observed in the other majors housed in the math and science center, math and physics)</p>

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<p>By “with that”, I mean a math major. Not a 3.48 GPA. Just to clarify. Good luck.</p>

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<p>I don’t really agree with bernie; I think you should seriously try to get close to 4.0 for the rest of your time to make up for it. </p>

<p>I think the dual-degree program is a really good idea (and it will give you more opportunities to improve your GPA). Graduating in three years doesn’t really feel like rushing if you have AP credit. I know because I did it, and I got to take several courses just out of interest.</p>

<p>Which Math/CS courses have you taken (and which ones have you liked and who were the professors)? I recommend taking as much analysis and (abstract) algebra as possible (first take the undergrad sequence, then try to take the graduate level) in addition to the applied math courses, even if that’s not what you’re interested in, because it really shows you can “think mathematically” and write proofs well–it’s something graduate schools definitely respect.</p>

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<p>A 4.0, no I don’t think so. Can they do better, yes. They don’t “need” (it is certainly desirable, but if you have to water down your schedule and avoid developing certain skills to achieve it, it isn’t really worth it. For grad. school, it will limit the scope of fields/research areas you can do if you approach courses only for the grade) to have a 4.0 regardless of how desirable it is. As long as they do well, especially when they transition into the CS/math oriented classes, they’ll be okay. It is one thing to perform okay/mediocre in econ, but that same performance in CS/math oriented courses and a very strong GRE score (general or subject test. In reference to the general, you’ll definitely want to shine in math) may compensate. Don’t encourage someone trying to go to grad. schools in the sciences to become a grade grubber (I mean, of course “everyone” should always shoot for a 4.0. However, perfect grades are not necessarily related and can be rigged in so many ways. You’re wasting time if you are trying to get a 4.0 for sake of a 4.0. If getting it requires that you really learn stuff until you actually deserve it, then good, but I’ve seen some shady stuff resulting in As in some classes that did not come from learning. It came from sucking up, or simply only focusing on exams and not becoming engaged w/material). Encourage them to develop a skill set and passion, and become decently good at what they do. Even top graduate schools in sciences often take “okay” GPAs (honestly, in the sciences, near 3.5 and higher is more than acceptable to most as long as everything else backs up the idea that you learned stuff), because they expect significant research and other indicators of competence within their field of interest. They don’t blindly accept the statistically perfect students. Their goal is to get students that have proven that they will survive the program (as grad. schools in science actually have high attrition, unlike top prof. schools). For example, if the OP takes grad. level CS classes, and gets B pluses, that certainly will not be frowned upon because it matters that they proved that they can do well in a grad. level course (whereas prof. schools don’t care as much about rigor of courseload and “readiness” perse. Most people at prof. school don’t have to balance very intense research and extremely tough coursework that mainly emphasizes thinking, strategy, and experimental design moreso than content). This is better for them than playing around and taking easier courses to ensure a 4.0. The OP needs to develop the skills by taking some risks (via rigorous coursework that develops several skills in the field), “shooting” for the 4.0, but should not beat themselves up if they don’t get it. When they get their grad. school interviews, they get to shine when they engage the interviewers in conversation about skills developed through undergrad. plight and internships. They’ll have a lot more to say than just, “I got a 4.0”. That doesn’t mean much unless you bring other useful skills and talent to the table. So many students at Emory have high GPAs and don’t know a damned thing about many of the classes they got As in if you talk to them like a semester (which explains the med. school admit rate to a degree. After TAing for classes, you’ll be shocked and annoyed of how some people got their grades. It certainly was not by doing anything that would impress grad and prof. schools). No knowledge was retained or hardly even developed in such cases. This development is really important for grad. school.</p>

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<p>I appreciate the debate going on. However, I feel like we’re getting off topic and talking too much about GPA’s.</p>

<p>I’m working on the GPA, so that isn’t really something I need to discuss.</p>

<p>My main concern is whether or not I should pursue the dual degree or just stick with Emory. The dual degree seems nice, but it’s an extra year which isn’t something I really like at all. Staying with Emory would let me finish my undergraduate degree in four years, which is what I would prefer since it would be much easier logistically. I’m just concerned with the the opportunities I have at Emory compared to those at GT and how grad schools would approach an Emory and a dual degree differently, in reference to admissions for CS.</p>