Can you take a math class this summer to catch up in Math? I agree with re-taking the test too, to try to improve your math scores (which will improve as you learn more of the math).
@ucbalumnus This is not just a matter of getting in. People make the argument all the time on CC that it does not matter where you study CS or Engineering, if you are good at it and get good grades, you’ll have similar opportunities. My main point was that if you are a weak or disinterested math student, CS is not for you at any school. People mistakenly think programming in HS will translate to success in CS. Others think it is a great money making career choice and want to try it. The good news here is that @filipe2019 sat in on Discrete Math, often a weed out course, and found it interesting. That is a good sign that success is probable. Of course programming is important, by SQL coding is not relevant. If OP was doing swift or Objective C coding for those games and good at it, and likes math but didn’t have the option for AP calc, yes you may well be successful at a less competitive school but have similar options upon graduation.
@PurpleTitan Most CS curriculums require calculus, but I agree it’s not relevant to most post graduation career opportunities. In some schools, if CS is taught in the engineering college, could require even more traditional math. I have a son at Cornell, and their engineering CS program requires some very rigorous math just because it’s in the engineering college. You can take in a liberal arts college, but note that most CS departments historically grew out of the math department, and at one time were actually taught by the math department. Yes the logic oriented course are more relevant, but not the only ones required.
I have a degree in CS and two sons now studying. We all took calc, including beyond AP BC calc.
Just chiming in on the math issue, UF son went all the way through Calc 3, but came in with Calc 1 done. He really liked discrete and Calc 3. Seemed like the first 2 calcs were harder for him, though he still did fine. He is excellent with logic; fine with math but not his strongest thing.
Agree that math is something you will want to have an aptitude (even if it’s not a love) for, if you are aiming for CS in an engineering college.
@sunnyschool Yes I can take Calc 1 the summer after my 12th-grade year(they won’t let rising seniors take it) and I do intend on doing so.
@blevine In terms of relevant projects I can do independently what do you suggest? The SQL isn’t really my choice but the non-profit I’m at mentioned it was needed at a meeting and I’d figured it would be a good employable skill to pick up. I do want to go into software (at least early in my career) so what should I work on? Right now I’ve been exploring C++ since at UK the majority of the classes seem to be focused on that as well as a lot of the places I’d like to get an internship at list it as a requirement, it also is great for game development. I’d like to start contributing to open source but I’d say I am at least 6 months out before I could even start thinking about any meaningful contributions to even small-scale projects; possibly I could just start solving some bugs to build my GitHub account. Are hackathons something CS departments like seeing on an application? I don’t live in the BEST area for them but my parents have given me permission to travel a few hours away for my nearest ones when they come around during the summer and my senior year so maybe I’ll get a chance to start something really cool at one of those! I know I’m capable of completing a Computer Science major, I also know I have not done the greatest job of proving to everyone else I am but I want to do the best of my ability to do that these next few years leading up to college and of course applying to internships (which I intend to do freshman and sophomore year despite the fact most freshmen don’t typically receive one. Any help on the subject is great maybe you could private message me some information if you have the free time
@filipe2019 thought I’d mention University of Maine at Orono. It has a flagship matching tuition program and a CS dept. You mentioned that you wanted to go out of state to school. Maine is a lovely state and Orono has an airport
OP, I think you will be fine, FWIW.
@filipe2019 Your strengths are an upward trend, a strong ACT and a high level of financial support from your parents.
I think CS could remain a fine choice. Be aware that CS majors need a strong and disciplined work ethic (which you have shown Junior year). I would NOT take Calculus in the summer. It will be too fast and you won’t get the same foundation. Take that at a slower pace in college and go to tutoring if you have any questions.
UMaine Orono could be a good safety along with UArizona, UMass Lowell, URI, UK. I think WPI, RPI could possibly be too intense. Maybe WPI. Geographical diversity could work in your favor. If you like the trimesters and can pay 45k, that could be an option.
Check that language requirement for schools that you are interested in though. I let DS2 only take 2 years of a language reluctantly because he had concussion issues and our school restructured the language program and no longer had the right level 3rd year for him. But we were very aware that that would take options off the table for him.
Be careful if you’re taking Calc at community college after you graduate HS - some colleges will consider you a transfer student if you take any college credits after graduating.
@blevine, I was a CS major in an engineering college as well but after finishing up calc freshman year, I never had a use for it again during my CS major or professional career and didn’t even work at a place where it was used until my current job.
Again I would not take Calculus in the summer. Take it Freshmen year at a better pace.
It’s possible to take calc online as a preview – for no credit – and for free. Coursera and some other MOOCs offer calculus. It’s a way to get exposed to some of the skills before you have to take the class “for real” at college.
Have you considered U Texas at San Antonio? It’s a larger school and less selective than UT Austin, but has been investing heavily in their CS and Security programs.
http://catalog.utsa.edu/undergraduate/sciences/computerscience/#degreestext
They have strong concentrations in both CS/Security and Data Sciences.
They also have an Honors college, as well as a diverse student body.
^Also UT Dallas???
@Dustyfeathers Yes OP should audit Calc. He/She is doing well with a supportive math environment. Set yourself up for success
Just reading through these comments and your post here and came up with two:
- As an Indiana resident, I know for a fact that computer science for Purdue is an A+ move and that IU’s program isn’t bad, but lacks the prestige your looking for. On the other hand in a major that deals with a similar field, Information Tecnology (IT), IU Bloomington ranks very highly. I don’t know how hard it is to get into this program, but it’s likely easier then Purdue’s College of Engineering and subsequently the Computer Science major.
- If you wish to attend any flagship universities in (e.g. Indiana or Purdue) you will need three years of a foreign language.
^There will be flagships that will allow two years foreign language: UMaine, URI, UArizona but OP needs to check each uni about that. You may want to add a language back in senior year.
Make sure University of Kentucky is on your list. You’ll benefit both admissions-wise and cost-wise from being in-state.
I’d expect UT-Dallas to be competitive for CS admissions.
UMaine Orono recommends but does not require foreign language according to its CDS. Also @AroundHere it has flagship matching program for tuition.