Major in Computer Sci/Eng without any background knowledge

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hey, I would like to major in Comp Sci or Comp Eng in college,
but I have absolutely no background knowledge. (just pure interest)
I decided not to take AP Comp Sci because teacher in my school is absolutely horrible and doesnt teach anything, from what i've heard from other students.</p>

<p>I'm going to be a HS Senior next year and I expect to pass all of the exams that I am going to take in 2012. (also ones that I took in 2011 which scores didn't came out yet)
- AP Calc AB/BC
- AP Physics
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP English Lang/Lit
- AP Spanish Lang
- AP World/US History</p>

<p>Is there any prepatory class once I get into the college?
Or, should I independently study some of the computer programming during summer?
Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>

No. Most colleges (even top schools) do not ALWAYS expect students to have any of these AP credits because some schools may not even offer them. </p>

<p>

I am sorry, but let’s be honest here. This is insane. Let’s face this together. 9 classes, and all AP. I don’t know you, and maybe you are a genius so maybe they are all easy cake to you. But if you are like most of us, hardworking students, this scheulde for your whole senior year is insane. </p>

<p>I don’t want to repeat myself over and over.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12799409-post17.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12799409-post17.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12801015-post20.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12801015-post20.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12807930-post46.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12807930-post46.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Basically, many of us have to practice many problems in order to have a good grasp of the material. So imagine that you have to practice and read for 9 classes. </p>

<p>Overall, I encourage you to read the entire post here (a lot of reading, but let’s face this, it’s your future and it’s very helpful)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1163613-does-nyu-poly-require-calculus.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1163613-does-nyu-poly-require-calculus.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The bottom line is, not all AP credits can be used to get credits for your future college courses. In that case, the OP’s AP Stat is useless at that particular engineering school. </p>

<p>========</p>

<p>

Don’t worry. But I do encourage you to learn some basic computer languages now. It’s very very helpful.</p>

<p>Maybe you should begin with Lisp / Scheme like we just discussed here.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1167033-why-does-mit-berkeley-start-off-lisp-their-comp-sci-program.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1167033-why-does-mit-berkeley-start-off-lisp-their-comp-sci-program.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But if you don’t have someone to mentor you, there are many good programming sites that you can get help from.
One would be stackoverflow.com, and this site has many more sisters-sites:
[Site</a> Directory - Stack Exchange](<a href=“http://stackexchange.com/sites]Site”>All Sites - Stack Exchange)</p>

<p>I personally like to begin with C++. But there are other options: Java, Python. IMO, just go to your local library or school library, and find a programming language book for beginner. Be it C++ for Dummies or not. </p>

<p>The field is extremely interesting. There is so much to talk about, but I will left you explore. I can’t even describe them to you.
Additional readings:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1165170-double-major-compe-cs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1165170-double-major-compe-cs.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12829206-post6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12829206-post6.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>=====</p>

<p>Admission people don’t really care about your senior year because they will only get to see your fall semester’s, and senior year is not the year to rush. It’s just an indication that you are still striving for the best and taking every opportunity you can have in your final year of high school. So let’s relax, and enjoy your senior year.</p>

<p>Enjoy your senior. I’d say</p>

<ul>
<li>AP Calc BC</li>
<li>AP Chemistry</li>
<li>AP English Lang/Lit</li>
<li>AP World/US History</li>
<li>AP Physics <— only if you want to take the Physics C, otherwise, if you want, still take it as preparation.</li>
</ul>

<p>Which schools are you interested in? Mnay schools don’t require biology for computer engineering students.</p>

<p>If possible, get a gym class! I still love my decision for keeping my PE class in my senior year.</p>

3

<p>Those APs are for my entire HS years, not just senior year, but thanks!
(I’m probably going to CSULB or Cal Poly Pomona)</p>

<p>My Senior Schedule looks like

  • AP Lit
  • AP Calc BC
  • AP Physics C
  • AP Spanish Lang
  • Piano
  • Econ/Gov</p>