<p>It was different from static’s year, but as of my year the freshmen are allowed to go to any welcome week event and attend orientation with the rest of the graduating class. However, you probably won’t see the people you meet on welcome week for weeks at a time and that kind of breaks the weak friendships you guys begin to develop over late august/early september. It gets kind of depressing now that I think of it…</p>
<p>The part everyone (and I mean, everyone) was raving about last year was the NYU Convocation. They pretty much put on an amazing, entertaining show every year, and it was referred to for an entire semester afterwards. 
the orientation camp is also great! I was an orientation leader last summer…it’s basically two days in upper new york state, with a competition, a lot of fun, and not much sleep! A little like Poly sometimes actually(??)</p>
<p>Some of the welcome events at Poly have been said to be “boring” but uh, relative/compared to NYU’s convocation afterwards…well duhhh haha. But it’s sort of part of the initiation, and i dont think you’d hate any of it or anything =)</p>
<p>Hello, everyone I have a few questions to ask you guys. I was recently admitted into the GS program for the incoming summer session. I would like to inquire about the possibility of gaining more knowledge of concepts in the field of Computer Science through human networking. Due to my late realization of my intended career I have not been able to take a series of Computer Science courses to further my knowledge. Could someone give me a rundown of how NYU-Poly structures the GS program. For example, the level of rigor it will take to do well in it, the atmosphere of the the learning environment, the nature of the professors and whatever else you can come up with. The structuring of recent changes in mathematics gave way for the elimination of Math A and B regents. Due to these changes I had to take Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, and AP Calculus AB. As you can see I have lacked the critical background to Calculus, which is Pre-Calculus. In conclusion, I will be grateful of any input you can provide me with.</p>
<p>^ are you taking courses over the summer…? also, what do you mean by “computer science through human networking”? do you mean social media? or is that a joke? 
b/c it sounds like a paradox haha…</p>
<p>I’m not in GS, but I know students who used to be, before going into their respective majors. Are you asking if the courses will be too hard? They’re meant to be jam-packed with very easy-to-find support systems. If you wake up every morning and go through your day, going to classes and tutoring session or whatever’s applicable, then my surmise is you’ll be fine and dandy. =)</p>
<p>^Yeah, I have been told by a lot of my peers and teachers that I communicate in paradoxical manner. When I said, “computer science through human networking” I meant building a connection with fellow students and professors while I am taking the summer GS program. I wanted to know some methods that some students in my kind of situation have used to get ahead in C.S.</p>
<p>When I spoke with one of my fellow C.S. friends and a C.S. teacher in my high school they advised me that going into this course with no prior experience in programming would hamper my chances of graduating in 2015. They recommended that I should pursue a major in Integrated Digital Media to expose me with some elements of C.S. </p>
<p>While, thinking over what they have advised me to do I have come to lean towards a degree in Physics and Mathematics to improve my science and mathematics background. I know that this major can be just as intensive as or more than C.S. can offer me. Later in my life I can always come back to C.S. stronger than I currently am while pursuing a B.S. degree in Physics and Mathematics. Thank you for any help that you have and/or will provide me.</p>
<p>They are completely different…hmm. Studying for CS is just completely different than Math/Physics. My advice is though, it’s better to do okay/a little poorly in CS than to do okay in Math, because a CS background offers a lot of job opportunities. If you were to do some research on monster.com or snagajob.com, you’d find a lot of employers are out on the lookout for people with programming experience/knowledge.</p>
<p>Most importantly, you should pick a major that keeps your interest, so you’ll always feel focused and motivated. It sucks thinking, “why am I learning this?” Vs. The rewarding/productive sense of “I have to learn this to move up in my career.” Your first semester will be very general anyway, so you have time. :)</p>
<p>LE56, your peers and teacher are correct. A lot of people entering the C.S major were programming hobbyists in high school. I’m entering C.S for that very reason alone, I already know how to program in C, Java, php, python and so will a lot of my CS classmates this fall. Because of this, the professors will expect you to know or have a general idea of several different computer languages, and if you don’t, it’ll be tough.</p>
<p>A lot of people in CS majors that didn’t have programming history in high school still do well GPA/Grade-wise, but that’s because they study for the tests/assignments. Although some people may be able to ace a test on recursion, actually implementing the concept in a program may still elude them, and as a result, they become bad programmers.</p>
<p>Having a 3.7+ GPA really means nothing in CS though; as far as employment after graduation goes, the only thing that will matter is your programming skills. Somebody that holds a 2-year certificate in programming that is an exceptional programmer will be more desirable to employers than a CMU CS graduate who had a 4.0 GPA but no programming sense. Maybe that’s taking it to extremes, but it’s true.</p>
<p>On the bright side, if you are a strong math/science student, programming languages aren’t very hard to pick up. I would take time this summer to familiarize yourself with at least two languages: Java, and php. It’s very possible to learn both of them in 3 months. If you know these two languages, it’ll be easier to learn others if you need to and put you on pace with the programming junkies you will be competing with this fall.</p>
<p>And please don’t let this discourage you from CS; a CS major that isn’t a great programmer isn’t the end of the world. There are plenty of other career paths you can choose with a CS degree. Jobs in IT are popular among CS graduates who hate programming. In comparison to software engineering/programming, IT jobs are very easy, will always be in demand, stress free, and still pay well.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help static75 and karmic93. I have taken some time to consider some of the majors that I may commit to attaining a degree in. You guys make a good point in regards to actually understanding C.S. instead of attaining a high grade in the theory aspect of it. The problem that I am encountering deals with my desire to attain knowledge of various fields that is offered at NYU-Poly. </p>
<p>It is difficult to choose a major that can offer me a well rounded career path than one that interests me. With this dilemma I may be forced to attain a M.S. C.S. with the concentration point of digital game design and management. Later on after I complete this degree I may decide to have a go at Physics and Mathematics. It is disheartening to hear that students have to go with a degree that gets them more money and opportunity over one that offers a means to explain certain occurrences in the world around us. </p>
<p>If a dual major was offered at NYU-Poly that had a heavier level of mathematics than it currently has I may take them up on the offer even if it meant doing extra work. Heh, as an admitted student I have to rise to the challenge of continuously surpassing my current limits anyway. Many problems would arise in the proposition I stated earlier. Some things that would need to be factored in would be the following: be how would higher level mathematics be used to their full potential?, Is it practical to use this approach as a means for integration?, How would the current C.S course be affected?, and the list can go on endlessly.</p>
<p>In conclusion, I believe that I will have to make a decision that may be the most time consuming and worth-wild choice in my life. Extending my education and experience in multiple fields would help me to see the big picture of the world of mathematics and science. For most of my life I have been analyzing every little conceptual outcome of events that have sparked my interest. At least in Computer Science and Applied Physics I can find most answers to problems by using a different approach. </p>
<p>P.S. If you need some more clarification about what I stated just post a message directed at me.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting this novella 
it’s very cute that you’re analyzing Poly like it’s an enigma…haha…um…hahaha… “how do you apply math to higher INTEGRATION?” Hahaha <em>wipes tear</em> seriously, come here first and then decide 
maybe you’ll end switching to BMS or Business Tech MGMT based on random factors, like you like the professors in that dept more, or the economy changes, or BMS becomes a field of science most endeared to you. Or their are more girls in a major…who knows?</p>
<p>It’s healthy to change your major…but not before your first week here i’m actually not sure if you’re inquiring or philosophizing but either way, see you in September!! =)</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 using CC App</p>
<p>Just made an account right now to post in this thread.
Got in. Decent amount in scholarships, and excellent programs.
Needless to say, I’m looking forward to attending.</p>
<p>Congratulations! See you in the fall :)</p>
<p>How is the Biomolecular Science program there? How does Poly help you get into a good med school?</p>
<p>What is GS compared to everything else? Do they place you there and, if so, based on what?</p>