<p>techboy: Very funny. But if you're serious, go to google.</p>
<p>ovl1: The "suggested" number of courses a semester is 4. If you want to minor or double major, sometimes you'll have to take 5. If you don't know what you want, like me, you'll take 6.</p>
<p>The 'standard' number of units varies between schools. H&SS considers anything over something like 45 an overload, but CS majors almost always take at least 45 units (unless they drop something or are taking OS). I think 63 is overload for CS. To overload you have to have some minimum GPA, like 3.5ish. I've taken between 45 and 54 every semester; 54 is what I took first semester. 36 is the minimum for full time; a typical course is 9; most core CS classes and intro physics classes are 12. Hopefully I have not scared you away.</p>
<p>In short, the listed suggestion for comp finance is a little on the light side, because CSW is a joke. But it's good for first semester if you have any trouble adjusting. Also, the drop date for classes without any record is after Thanksgiving, so you can always sign up for more classes and drop one if it's too much work. Your tuition is the same no matter how much you take.</p>
<p>Here's my breakdown, if you're interested:</p>
<p>1st semester: 45 Units - 4 Classes
2nd semester: 54 units - 5 classes
3rd semester: 63 units - 6 classes
4th semester: 67 units - 6 classes + research</p>
<p>I am currently in a bit of a dilemma ... I have to make a choice between CMU and Michigan Ann Arbor (and I've applied for Electrical Engineering in both).</p>
<p>Firstly, I get the impression (from what I've read on CC) that the campus/social life in CMU is pretty unfulfilling ... "housing is poor", "meal plans are atrocious" etc. How true is this and how much emphasis do you think I should place on this while making my decision?</p>
<p>Secondly, though I've applied for engineering, I am quite unsure about what I wish to pursue .... how easy is it for a student to switch majors at CMU? Assuming that this process isn't very difficult, wouldn't a college like Michigan be better since, barring engineering and CS, CMU pales in comparison to Michigan.</p>
<p>Lastly, a certain friend of mine opted for CMU over Michigan due to the enhanced teacher-student interaction at CMU and what he calls the 'smaller college' factor ... again, how much emphasis do/did these factors have on your college experience?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Changing majors within CIT should be super easy (you can just not declare until later than most people). For all your other questions, there are a bunch of threads discussing those issues. Housing isn't that bad; in fact, it's probably better than most state schools- larger rooms and guaranteed housing for 4 years. I just, um, made a very poor choice for this year. You're only stuck on the meal plan for one year; after than you can eat at the trucks (ethnic food) and/or get an apartment (which you can do through CMU) and cook your own food. Or you can live in a dorm and eat Ramen.</p>
<p>Hmmmm ... thanks for the info KrazyKow!!</p>
<p>How hard is it to change majors NOT within the same college?</p>
<p>My personal view on Math at CMU: </p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon is indeed very strong in Discrete Math and Logic (perhaps actually one of the top research centers for Mathematical Logic in the US). CMU is also pretty good in certain applied math areas like computational finance, nonlinear dynamic systems, and, especially, probability and statistics. However, I think CMU is relatively weak when it comes to hardcore pure math, I mean, stuff like Analysis, Geometry, Topology, Algebra, etc. That's why I suggested to Mathmom that Harvard would be a better choice for her son if he wanted to be a math major, as opposed to CS. Also, I think the usual lower-division math classes like calculus, linear algebra, or differential equations are actually far more challenging at Harvard (or Caltech, or Princeton, or MIT) than at CMU. Again, that's just my personal opinion (other posters may disagree).</p>
<p>helpingmom:
It's not that difficult assuming the student hasn't been failing his/her classes.</p>
<p>I'd have to agree with most of what bruno123 said. Though, I had a fantastic Linear Algebra professor who taught us a good bit of abstract algebra along the way..... </p>
<p>For those who are REALLY into Mathematics, there is an "honors track" at CMU. These students take Mathematical Studies I & II. These are 20 unit courses (read: 20 hours a week of work inside and out of class together). Very math intensive.</p>
<p>back to computational finance...is this something for kids in the tepper business school also? how many people doing computational finance are in the tepper school versus MCS or other schools. thanks.</p>
<p>I already sent in my deposit and am waiting on my housing forms.</p>
<p>When I do get them, what dorms should I be looking at? I've heard Morewood, New House, Boss, and I think Mudge and Donner get tossed around. Any input?</p>
<p>Boss is all male; Morewood E Tower, New House, and Donner will be freshman-only; and Mudge's main building is a pretty mansion. New House has small rooms, Morewood has food in the building. Donner is ugly outside and used to smell, but it doesn't any more, and the rooms were recently remodeled (they are a bit smaller than MW's). Mudge has slightly bigger rooms than MW, and has some freshman-only areas. In Mudge and Donner it's possible to be stuck living in the basement- the basements seem to be male-only areas, usually. Mudge is the farthest from campus, but they're all very close, honestly.</p>
<p>Don't count out off-campus apartments. I got placed in London-Terrace instead of my choices of Morewood and Mudge. I was pleasantly surprised to find my own kitchen and bathroom and more space than any dorm room. Morewood is the best dorm-style living in my opinion. Resnik and West Wing are nice, but you stand like a 1% chance of getting a room there. Donner is so-so. I don't like the buildings on the Hill - Hammerschlag, Scobell, Boss. I don't know much about Mudge. New House is pretty nice but the rooms are TINY.</p>
<p>If you're going the apartment route, here's some things to consider. First, you will have a 15 minute walk to school. I recommend a bike. I build myself a free bike at Freeride (you can ask me about details if you're interested). Second, you will probably not be on the campus network, which can be a good thing because you won't have quotas. Third, the meal plan will be very inconvenient. Fourth, apartments are much better for parties than dorms. You don't share a bathroom with anyone except your roommates. You have to clean it yourself. More stuff is likely to break. It tends to be quieter than dorms on average, unless you invite people over or someone is having a party.</p>
<p>So if apartments sound good to you, you should avoid London-Terrace because Lobos Management needs to be systematically executed. Look into Shady Oak and Fairfax. Catman, Vernonica, and Shirley are decent too. Webster has nice rooms but came off as cold to me (like no community spirit). Catman, Webster, and Fairfax are all large (like 100 rooms) and L-T, Veronica, and Shirley are small (15-20 rooms). Shady Oak is in between. Apartments will be more expensive than most dorms.</p>
<p>Catman is pretty digusting (I have a friend whose bathroom grew mushrooms this year), but it usually has apartments left over after room draw (when everyone other than incoming freshmen pick apartments). Veronica is very dark inside.</p>