<p>Hello everybody, I'll be attending USC in the fall and will most likely be doing the computer science (games) major that Viterbi offers. I know that engineering and computer science both have a reputation of being very workload-intensive paths of study, and I was wondering if it would be wise to do the thematic "traumatic" option honors program in addition to it.</p>
<p>I'm not looking to float through college without working hard; I just want to make sure I have enough time for a social life and to pursue other casual interests.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I will be brutally honest: my gut reaction was to tell you to drop TO–not because I think it’s too intensive, but because I want in. I tried appealing my rejection into the program, and was told that it really depends on the number who decide to opt out.</p>
<p>Now, to answer your question, I’ve heard others who did engineering at Viterbi and still managed to do well in TO. It’s a different program–one that is reading and writing intensive. Be ready to write. If you can do that, you’d probably enjoy TO.</p>
<p>Good luck on deciding.</p>
@hailzeon0079
This thread seems really old, but that means you would have completed TO if you chose it. Wondering what you decided how your experience was if you did do both?
Was the workload too much and were you able to manage pursuing extracurriculars (that I assume CS majors are usually interested in, like student orgs for engineering and entrepreneurship, Internship opportunities at Tech companies, and Abroad Programs)?
Did it hinder you from devoting time to practical hands on experience?
Here’s a bit more context to my question:
I am going to be CS major next year at USC and I know I have interest in using it for Social Entrepreneurship. I think I might have an interest in applying my CS skills in ICT, Animation, or CGI. I applied and got accepted because my belief that I thought this would help with my goals allowed me to write strong essays. That belief comes from the idea that a strong humanities background could help in Social Entrepreneurship or ICT and Animation. Already, I have plenty of hands on technical experience in CS and would want to capitalize on that skill, so I’d be joining tech and business/innovation oriented student groups.
Also, although I am an introverted and academically oriented person, I do want to make sure I am not the one guy with no communication skills at USC, because I did not leave enough time for social life. I like to work. That’s mainly what I do. I just want to make sure I’m not attempting the impossible.
Would this be too much of a load considering all I want to do or did you manage it and there are several other students managing it and enjoying it?