<p>I know CMU's computer science program is ranked #1 with a few other schools. In your opinion, what makes it so good? What do you like or dislike about the program? What do you wish you had known about it before you enrolled?</p>
<p>I wish I had known more about CS before I had decided to be a computer science major, just because I assumed it was more coding than it actually is. I'm fine with what it turned out to be, but not everyone I know is. Part of what makes CMU's CS program so good is that is has a strong emphasis on discrete math, which is an important part of computer science. In contrast, some of my friends that are in CS at weaker schools have courses which are much more practical- say "introduction to <insert language="" here="">". There's nothing wrong with being practical, but chances are someone who graduates from CMU with a degree in CS can probably figure out most of those things fairly quickly, by himself.</insert></p>
<p>I like that the program is large enough to offer a variety of specialized courses (multiple courses in things like AI, robotics, graphics, human/computer interaction), but small enough that I'm not just a number (about 135 undergrads in each year). Undergrads are encouraged to take graduate level classes, as long as they have enough background in the material- as a sophomore, I took a course in machine learning (statistics-y, AI stuff). There is quite a bit of flexibility in the program- the core is not at all lienar. Computer science majors are required to have a minor or second major, so the more technical minded will double/minor in ECE or math, but people with multiple interests can also pursue that. I know people who have minors or doubles in areas like French and music performance. Also, there is a second campus in Qatar, and they are always looking for undergrads to TA courses there. It's an interesting opportunity.</p>
<p>As an admit to the ECE program, will it at all be possible to double major or minor in cs if you got waitlisted for that program. Or am i reaching beyond the stars here?:)</p>
<p>I'm in the same situation as rbanerjee - sending in a few more things to hopefully....sway opinion?? :) I've been looking into it, though, and the ECE program looks top notch. Mixing CE and software seems pretty exciting. Though I am still crossing my fingers for getting in off the SCS wait-list or transferring!</p>
<p>I asked you guys to PM me because I thought it was off topic on the thread, but I guess here is as good as anyplace- I also didn't realize there were two of you trying to figure out what to do.</p>
<p>I think that if you plan your schedule correctly, most of the classes you take as a pre-ECE freshman year would count toward something in CS (particularly the science/engineering electives). It definitely is possible to transfer, but I wouldn't suggest going to school here if you would be really unhappy in ECE. It definitely would be possible to double or minor in CS, as long as you can fit all the classes of CS in your schedule with some sort of minimum GPA in the classes (I think 2.0ish).</p>
<p>Thanks for the info KrazyKow! If my son comes to CMU, he plans on getting his minor in discrete math. He likes the theoretical end of cs. Is there anything you don't like about the program? Have you done much research so far?</p>
<p>I found the following waitlist statistic on an older CC post (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-43081-p-19.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-43081-p-19.html</a>) - </p>
<p>"Qualified applicants placed on waiting list: 2,941
Applicants accepting a place on waiting list: 294
Students enrolled from waiting list: 180</p>
<p>This is all I have. Looks like only 10% of the people waitlisted decided to stay on the waitlist. And out of those, over 60% were admitted."</p>
<p>Who knows if these figures are still pertinent today, though.</p>
<p>The summer between freshman and sophomore year I worked as a research assistant at another university, and many of my friends stayed in Pittsburgh and did the same at CMU. Also, last semester I was (sort of) doing some programming for the psychology department. I'm sure I could have found something within the CS department, but I was too busy to make more of a time commitment (I've been working as a course/teaching assistant, grading papers and whatnot).</p>
<p>The freshman class sort of gets 'segregated' by starting CS class- usually it's split up over 3 or 4 different levels of programming. As a result, I know primarily people who started in the same class as me, which isn't the greatest- there's another 50% of the class out there that I just see in passing.</p>
<p>I think that anyone who comes here without previous programming experience will feel a bit like they are playing catchup all the time, and really needs to be okay with the fact that other people in the same class (maybe even a year below) will be ahead of them.</p>
<p>Other random things- it's really cold in the entry to Wean sometimes where there are tables and chairs (where most of the CS classes are), and there's no place else to sit. This will be fixed when the Gates building is done.</p>
<p>Food here is bad.</p>
<p>When will the Gates building be done?</p>
<p>Sometime in 2009.</p>