Rice Computer Science

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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<p>I am not 100 percent positive on what I want to major in at Rice (I am an incoming freshmen), but I am fairly certain that I will want to pursure computer science. I was happy about this decision until I came accross this thread:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/27861-computer-science-competative-hard.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/27861-computer-science-competative-hard.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Now I am confused. Does anyone know if computer science at Rice will be as terrible as the people describe in that link? Can anyone comment on the relative difficulty of computer science at Rice?</p>

<p>Keep in mind: I am aware that all majors at Rice are challenging. I am also aware that Rice's computer science department is very theory based, focusing a lot on math and algorithms and whatnot. I am a math person, so this is good for me. I also already know some Java, and find AP Comp Sci level questions to be a good challenge (but I still am able to usually answer all the questions pretty much perfectly). </p>

<p>HOWEVER, if I do end up pursuing computer science, I will plan to continue into grad school, and I know that grad schools these days are extremely competitive and require super high GPAs. Will I be able to maintain a high GPA at Rice with the computer science major or will this require me to abandon the amazing social life that Rice's number 1 quality of life ranking suggests? Basically, I just want to go to Rice and work hard like everyone else, but not too much harder than everyone else and come out with a high GPA and the ability to say "my time at Rice (socially) was some of the best 4 years of my life." Is this plausible with computer science?</p>

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<p>My son is graduating this year from Rice as a CS major (and also met the degree requirements for an electrical engineering degree) and he ended up with a very high GPA. Lots of work? Yes. Impossible to also have a social life? No. Don’t let it scare you off. It’s a small, collaborative, supportive department. And strong letters of recommendation are key for grad schools and the Rice professors will get to know you well.</p>

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<p>I think you’ll find out pretty quickly in the first COMP class you take your first semester whether it’s for you or not. I wouldn’t worry too much about it or getting a high GPA. If find you have passion for comp sci, chances are your GPA will be just fine.</p>