Please chance a Computer Science Major with no Comp. Sci classes

<p>Hey all! I would really appreciate your input. My son is a rising senior in TX and will be applying to UT Austin's Computer Science and NYU Comp. Sci programs in the fall . He is pretty strong academically (though sadly not top 7% for TX's auto admit ) but I'm concerned that not having taken an AP Computer Science class (which is available at his HS), or having any Comp Sci type of activities on his transcript will count against him. The truth is he only recently decided that this is what he wants to major in. Will be looking for something related over the summer. In the mean time this is what he brings to the table.
Here are his stats:
SAT-2200 -first sitting (taking again in June)
Class rank top 8% at a VERY competitive TX school
GPA is 3.87 (UW),
He's been in Marching Band all through HS and is in both marching and a competition band
He's been in Chess Club and the Science all through HS as well
He's a member of a few NHS, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Hispanic Scholar, National Merit Commended
He has also taken every class pre AP/AP level.
He has no leadership roles and decent volunteer hours.</p>

<p>Thanks so much. We'd really appreciate your comments.</p>

<p>UT Austin should be considered a reach for anyone not in the automatic admission category, even more so if he applies to the engineering division.</p>

<p>For NYU, check the net price calculator, as its reputation for financial aid is not good.</p>

<p>Thanks for your response. Yes, sadly we are aware of the challenges both schools present. Trying to best prepare for both by making sure his resume is as tight as possible… He plans on finding some comp sci activities , camps etc… this summer. </p>

<p>I think you don’t need to have Comp Sci classes in high school. My daughter did not take any AP CS, did not join Robotics club, nada. However, she did well in math and enjoyed math. For her first year, sometimes, she was lost when people in hackathons mentioned API this and that. There are definitely some people who have more experience than her( but I’m not worried). Some of the most successful people in the tech industry didn’t know anything about CS either, think Marissa Myer ■■■■■■ and before that she was #20 at Google.</p>

<p>Here is a link to someone with a communication degree and now work as the first female engineer at Instagram.</p>

<p><a href=“http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/recent_computer_science_alumna_makes_waves_not_photo_filters_at_instagram”>http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/recent_computer_science_alumna_makes_waves_not_photo_filters_at_instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>That is very comforting to hear , DrGoogle. He most definitely excels and loves math like your daughter. He is also a very quick study. I think he’d thrive in an environment with so much to learn. Thanks so much for your response and the interesting link. </p>

<p>I get UT, but the only other school you mention is NYU. There are quite a few other choices that may be ranked higher or similarly ranked. Any reason why?</p>

<p>You’re right geo1113, lots to choose from. I only mention those 2 because they are his top choices for very different reasons. UT is a great school, with a great program ,our state flagship and a great overall value. NYU, because he’s really had his heart set on NYC and NYU in particular since he was a little boy. We are displaced NY’ers and I think there is a certain appeal to going back “home”. He particularly likes the vibe at NYU-he’s not looking for a college town, or a big greek school or a big party school. Loves the idea that NYU does;t have a “proper campus.” Despite all that, he is very analytical and while his heart draws him to NYU, he recognizes that if he’s lucky enough to gain admission to UT, he really should go there. He definitely plans on applying to others. He has Texas A&M as a safety. We are in state, they offer him auto admit and will qualify for a nice scholarship due to his National Hispanic Scholar status. With all that being said, are there any particular schools that you think should be on his radar?</p>

<p>Ah…that makes sense now. But perhaps he might consider Rutgers. It has a good reputation for CS (I have seen rankings above A & M) and even though it is a “proper campus”, it gets him in the NYC area. But if he gets into UT, it would be hard to turn down.</p>

<p>Many universities, in their supplements, ask why a student has chosen this particular major - in which case it is a good idea to have reasons such as I excelled in my AP Com Sci course or did something computer-related over the summer which confirmed my interest in this field. These types of involvements will make her application all that much stronger in a very competitive market.</p>

<p>Great tip, van2010. That will be helpful to him in preparation of his essays. @ geo1113, Rutgers is a great recommendation. Another great tri state area school. While not NYC , it does have have a more urban feel and less traditional campus as I remember it. Might be a good fit. Thanks again for your input.</p>

<p>It’s true a lot of students who are interested in Comp sci do take it upon themselves to learn how to do something out of interest. I have read negative comments about AP Comp Sci from CS profs. My daughter also didn’t have anything CS in HS. But she didn’t pick a college for CS or have that in mind. She did have some exposure to Matlab through physics classes, but then took a 2 semester CS intro and majored in it, well majored in math-cs. I think it is a little out there to go right into the major without knowing, but having strong math skills is an important start. It seems that CS programs that direct admit are at capacity now, so I don’t know if they will be looking into extra indications of interest–doing a summer program sounds like a good idea. I’d say be sure that he picks a college he will be happy at even if he finds he doesn’t want to major in CS after all.</p>

<p>Thanks BrownParent. I hate that they have to apply to a school and commit (sort of ) early on. I guess as long as the universities provide them some flexibility to transfer though it’s ok. Though not always an option for many competitive programs. Does your daughter go to Brown? Was recently reading about their program. Heard that Andy form Toy Story was named after their Intro to Comp. Sci professor. What fun. Seems like a wonderful place to study. Love their open curriculum. </p>

<p>She graduated and went to grad school. But she was a peer adviser when an upperclassman and most students coming into the department already have skills. (fyi, I notice Purdue does a summer Bridge program for students who don’t have any CS background, so they have a boost when they start–you might look that webpage up and see what sort of skills/background they prep them with and see if there is something online.)</p>

<p>Andy Van Dam is who you are thinking of. He denies the naming but his book is on the shelf in the movie and Steve Jobs invited him to the opening and gave a gift inscribed with “you made it happen” or something. He was pioneering in Computer Graphics. Just an example of the great teachers that you can study with and are so accessible and do research with undergrads. Andy teaches CS 14 part of the 14/15 intro sequence. My daughter took the 17/18 sequence which also is a very influential class at Brown. Andy’s class is somewhat online if you look at his bio page he has a link. </p>

<p>If you think he may be interested in Brown and it is affordable, he can try, they don’t admit by major. It is down to 8.6% though. Is he Hispanic, that could be quite helpful. He should start his essays early as they are very important, and don’t neglect the short answers and why Brown question. You can message me if you like.</p>

<p>I think Brown would be a great fit for him. Wasn’t originally on his radar, but the more I read about them and their program I think it’s a match on a lot of levels. We live in TX and are planning on visiting UT soon. I am hoping he really connects with the campus and program as it is highly ranked and a great value to us instate. Yes, we are latino which from what you mention and I’ve read might help him a bit a Brown. We enjoyed looking at Andy Van Dam’s class website. Very cool. Going to check out Perdue’s bridge program. Love the concept. Thanks so much for your input and help. Really appreciate it.</p>