Hello again, I thought of an idea that possibly could bring together two of my favorite subjects. So, I really enjoy CS, I plan on taking AP Computer Science for my senior year of high school, which is next year. My question is let’s say I major in CS, could that be ideal because I could get a chance to work with NASA or if that does not happen, I could manage to find work at a tech startup or a large company such as Microsoft, Facebook, or Google. I initially wanted to major in Aerospace Engineering, but after learning that people with CS degrees can be qualified to work in the aerospace department, I thought not a bad idea. So, can anyone tell me if my idea is flawed or if it could hypothetically work in the future.
Also, if i decided to double major with CS what would be the best major to double it with. I thought of CS and AE, CS and ME, and CS and CE. Any other majors you can come up with to consider.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but a double major in any of those will make it so that you will likely graduate in more than 4 years. If you (or your parents) have/are willing to provide the money for that, I’d say go for it. I’m an Aerospace Engineering major myself (freshman.) Hope to see you around when I get to NASA too!
You could also major in engineering and minor in CS.
^^^Thank you for your input. Fortunately, I have a lot of time to choose, but I definitely know that AE or ME with CS will probably be one of my choices. The problem I have with AE is that there are not a lot of schools. I live in NJ and most AE schools around here are prestigious, top-tier schools, and unfortunately I’m not willing to move across the entire country to, let’s say, CA.
I ran into that problem too, with not a lot of colleges that have aerospace engineering. If you are certain that you want that option (as I was) google a list of all the colleges in the US that offer aerospace engineering and go down the list deciding which ones are relevant for you to concern yourself with. Depending on your grades & test scores, financial situation, etc.
Have you taken the PSAT yet? If so, what was your score? And what are you in school, a sophomore?
I took the psat last year, I got a 150. This year I’m a junior and I’ve been studying really hard for the sat (1-3 hours a day). I was considering Rutgers, but they start you off with ME and then they give AE electives, but that doesn’t give you an AE degree, it’s only a certificate.
Check out U of Alabama Huntsville. They have ABET certified majors for both CS and AE, plus a great automatic merit aid scholarship program. A 3.5 GPA plus ACT score of 30 gets you Free Tuition. A 4.0 GPA plus ACT score of 34 gets you Full Ride. UAH has a great reputation as a research university.
Huntsville is nicknamed the Rocket City, and UAH students can co op with NASA, Redstone Arsenal, and lots of companies in Cummings Research Park. Huntsville is a small town, and UAH is still working to become a more traditional college campus, so you won’t get the Div 1 sports team experience, but if you are serious about your career, check out what UAH has to offer.
Huntsville is not a traditional southern town, since it has been importing workers from around the world for decades. People in Huntsville are very open and welcoming to all who arrive, whether they are just there for a few months of training at the arsenal, or a more permanent transfer. (Compare that to my sister, who moved to New Jersey in 1980, has birthed and raised 3 kids there, and people in her town still say “you’re not from around here, are you?” )
Right now I live in NJ and I’m not really considering moving very far, but as you mentioned the 3.5 GPA and ACT score of 30 or 34. I could initially get scholarship, so it would a better choice money wise also.
My D had her own geographic comfort zone and would not consider colleges outside her 200 mile radius from home. It is a valid part of the equation of finding the right fit for you.
You would definitely want to visit UAH before adding this faraway college to your list. Free tuition can’t make up for being miserable for 4 years.
How much money do you think you/your parent(s) will be able to spend on college?
^^They can probably pay up to $50,000 a year(they pay about $45,000 for my brother).
Which NASA location?
I would definitely apply to UA or UAH.
When you stand in front of UAH’s Werner Von Braun Research Hall, you can see the computer science building *and" a stacked Saturn V, you are in Space City.
I’m actually kind of hoping DD picks UAH over most of the rest of her short list for a couple of reasons. Space is one of them. UAH was summoned into existence to teach graduate level classes to German rocket scientists in support of the space program, and apparently hasn’t looked back.
I don’t think the experience will be traditional, but I think it has potential to be very very positive.
Also, Michigan Tech has an aero minor, and I’m told gets an occasional satellite launched.
Michigan Tech is also a very strong school for engineering and CS in general. It’s also in the rural, very snowy part of Michigan, which is very different from New Jersey.
Cold or not, I’ve never worked with a bad or indifferent engineer from MI Tech. I’m sure I will someday, but not yet. I can’t say that about all universities’ graduates, including some from top 5 schools.
Good to know! My brother went there for CS, so I’ve also got a biased impression of the place. For him, the huge depths of snow and extensive nature was actually a big draw to the school.
Also a little-known fact about the area: nearby (but now only accessible by hiking or offroad vehicle) is an old NASA rocket launch site called the Keweenaw Rocket Range. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keweenaw_Rocket_Range