<p>Hello! New here. I've just been accepted to Stony Brook, and I'm gonna start in Fall '12. I'm strongly interested in Stony Brook's computer science program. Problem is, I don't know many details about it, and the course websites don't help very much. Mind you, I'm currently in AP Computer Science A, and have been studying programming on my own since May 2011. AP CS is an absolute joke; I think it's safe to assume that I'll be getting a 5 on the test. As of late we've been doing more test questions than programming.</p>
<p>The main sequence is 2 courses instead of 3; since I'm gonna get credit for AP CS, the time-saving benefit is irrelevant, so I don't need to consider that. I don't think I can place out of CS Honors A, though, and judging by the topic list doing so is probably not a god idea. If I have to repeat most of the material though, I'm gonna flip out.</p>
<p>What kind of depth do CS Honors A and B go into, as opposed to CS 2 and 3? On one hand, Honors might better prepare me as a programmer (or will it? You're the student), and help me stand out from the future crowd of job applicants. On the other, I've spoken with Professor McKenna, who teaches CS 3, and I know that he's a really cool guy. His class seems to be subtly geared towards game programming, which I'm interested in anyway. I've also heard mixed things about the teachers of the Honors courses.</p>
<p>I also understand that if I don't officially get into the program, I can get permission to take the courses. If I decide that this is the best option, but don't make the cut (my GPA is a 93.24 right now), what do you think my odds are of getting the professor's permission if I can demonstrate my passion for the subject?</p>
<p>Finally, when is course registration open for Fall 2012? I'm set on Stony Brook, so the earlier I can enroll and pick my courses, the better.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your time!</p>