Ucsd data science vs ucsc computer science vs cal state long beach computer science

State Forums
1

I’m a senior in hs and I would like to end up having a job as a software engineer by the end of this.

My dream school is UCSD but I got accepted as undeclared rather than Computer Science (I know, typical). If I were to go there, I’m planning to major in Data Science (which is a new major at the school and thus, kinda risky), audit computer sci courses, and stack myself with EC in comp sci related clubs and hackathons to impress companies to the point of hiring me. After that jazz, I plan to get a masters in computer science and if it does not work out, I should be okay with getting a degree in data science instead. This option sounds EXTREMELY risky to me BUT it’s also the one my heart is leaning towards BECAUSE I LOVE UCSD’S COMP SCI PROGRAM AND THE ENVIRONMENT TT-TT.

If I were to go UCSC or CSULB instead, I plan to stay there for two years and transfer to UCSD. These options are safer because I can study my intended major. However, I heard that it’s pretty hard to transfer from cal to uc. And for UCSC, I live in OC so I would have to cope with being extremely far from my family in a school with a subpar comp sci program (from what I have heard, please correct me if I’m wrong! )and little competition (I work better when there is some competition to drive me).

Any input would be appreciated and if you think there’s another path I haven’t considered, please let me know!! Also, please let me know if I’m crazy for considering the first options :stuck_out_tongue: ~THANK YOU FROM A STRESSED OUT TEEN

2

Is it more important that you go to UCSD, or that you get a CS degree?

There’s nothing risky about UCSD Data Science if you want to do data science. UCSD is one of the leading schools in the country for Data Science. I personally find data science to be a lot more interesting than CS. What’s risky is the expectation that you’ll be able to transfer from UCSD’s Data Science program to its CS program. You likely will be able to get a software engineering job with a Data Science degree, though.

There’s also nothing sub-par about UCSC’s CS program. It’s actually a very good program, and nobody here in the Bay Area would look down their noses at it. If you really want a CS degree rather than a Data Science degree, then I’d go here unless you think you’ll be more comfortable at CSULB.

3

Thank you for your input! Just to clarify, I’m not planning to transfer into the Computer Science major if I were to go to UCSD. I plan to audit classes just to gain experience to do software engineering while working on a Data Science degree.

4

visit all the schools, talk to existing students, consider the varied curriculum - then follow your heart.