As the title says I got into both of those schools, but I am having a hard time choosing. This is partially because I was not able to visit UCSD (seeing as I live in NJ and that’s across the country).
I am looking to study computer science, but for USCD I was admitted as undeclared.
I am very interested in the threads program at GATech especially because game design (or other Computational Media threads) can also be studied to receive the joint degree with Computational Media and Computer Science.
I will also probably wish to join a swim team in college (most likely a club team).
UCSD has the surrounding city of San Diego, but it is not exactly close to Silicon Valley (although it is definitely closer than GTech). GTech has Atlanta, but I do not have in depth knowledge of the job opportunities there in regards to my major.
Given these criteria can someone give me more information about UCSD and possibly aid me in my decision.
You won’t have an problem finding job in Silicon Valley with a degree from Computer Science from UCSD. But you didn’t get into the major, it seems like there are a lot of kids in this situation this year.
Does that mean I won’t be able to have CS as my major at all?
In the past it has not been a problem but it seems like it’s not a sure thing this year due to budget negotiation between Gov Brown and Janet P.
Alright, I guess that’s one point against UCSD. Do you have a school recommendation?
That’s left Georgia Tech for you right. What do you mean school recommendation? For what? To apply?
No, to accept the invitation for. And I mean which do you think is the better choice? Obviously if I cannot have a major in CS then UCSD is sort of pointless, but assuming I could, what do you think?
I’m biased. I would pick UCSD because of the program and location. Georgia tech is very good but I’ve heard it’s hard, one of the ladies that used to work for me graduated from Georgia Tech and she made the same comment. She was overwhelmed by the academics.
I have heard similarly. How is that for UCSD? Also, you say you’re biased, where did you study?
Do you know anything specific to Muir college or how large the impact on studies for particular majors are between different UCSD schools?
CS is impacted at UCSD, so the process to get into the major is competitive. There is no guarantee that you will be admitted to the major, and the CS department hasn’t released any information on the odds of being admitted. You will have to complete the prerequisite courses for the major, and then apply to be accepted. Students are ranked based on their grades in the prerequisite courses, and then students will be given admission into the major for each spot available (and it is unknown how many spots will be available when you apply). If you would not be happy at UCSD if you did not get into the CS major, then I would recommend you consider other schools where you are guaranteed admission into your major of choice.
http://www.cse.ucsd.edu/ImpactedMajor
Are the grades from just the pre-reqs or from all courses and are grades the only factor? Because I already have a decent amount of experience programming: I programmed my website http://strongjoshua.com and all of my projects that I link to on the site.
My daughter is at Muir college and also major in CS. I believe only the CS pre-req courses. If you have a decent amount of programming experience then you should do well. My daughter had zip and she did well too.
You seem to have strong interest in game, did you apply to USC?
I can’t stress this enough but where you go to college isn’t going to make it or break it on where you can get a job.
Being from Silicon Valley, a lot - maybe most didn’t even go to college or dropped out.
Does that mean you should? No that just means that anything is possible here.
You can’t honestly go wrong with those schools that you listed but UCSD is a big school and opportunities will be competitive - but as you mentioned how you were admitted undeclared - it is extremely difficult to transfer into Computer Science.
I have friends at GTech and they absolutely love it.
If you do end up choosing GTech, you can still get internships in Silicon Valley, especially during the summer.
As a side note, go to all the Hackathons you possibly can at GTech.
No, I did not apply to USC, unfortunately (in retrospect I should have). And yes, game development is a large interest of mine and GTech’s game design program is supposed to be really good.
Apparently Muir is the “easy” school at UCSD because it offers the most freedom. That seems enticing (especially with their low AP score requirements for some courses, compared to GTech), but there is always that issue of possibly not getting into CS. I think I would manage to get in considering that I spend most of my free time programming already, but you never know.
If I were to go for a Masters degree afterwards (at a different school, like possibly UCB, MIT, or Stanford if I manged to get in) would either school prepare me better than the other, or would it not matter?
I know it won’t “make or break” my job opportunities, but often one tends to work in the city where they graduated, because of previous internships or co-ops, and the biggest technology firms operate in California.
I had a boss who graduated from UCI and got into MIT for Masters degree. I think with Stanford, I believe there are so many was to get into Stanford. I don’t believe either school will keep you from Masters degree at any of those schools in your post. I believe PhD is a different animal. From my research, solid 3.8 and 3.9 will get you into a good PhD program.
My daughter is already has an internship in the Bay Area. UCSD has a large alumni network in the Bay are. From the Facebook CSE UCSD, there is get together at 3 locations yearly, I believe Silicon Valley and Seattle are 2 locations that I remember. Oculus Rift is in Orange County(irvine) and I believe they have some office or headquarter in Silicon Valley too.
The issue this year is the potential funding that all UCs will get because of the negotiation between Brown and Janet P. UCSD internally is preparing for it, this is why there are so many kids are accepted undeclared this year, but if you are confident in your academic ability then you shouldn’t have no problem.
Muir is very nice, my daughter was in one of those top floors with a view of the beautiful beach.
Both GT and UCSD are out-of-state for you as a NJ resident. Are they affordable to you and your parents? Rutgers is a perfectly good school for CS.
I did get into Rutgers, but it feels like it’s a little too close to home. Yes, they should be affordable and I will definitely help pay if I get into paid internships, co-ops, or any other financial opportunity.
Hello, I’m in a similar situation, Undeclared at Muir College, except I’m trying to get into Electrical Engineering. By any chance, would you know anything about the difficulty to switch into Electrical Engineering compared to Computer Science? I can’t find information on this anywhere, and I haven’t been able to decide if I should take the risk. Thank You.
If you have other choice with your intended major go there. I think all engineering majors are impacted, some more than others.