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 ~THANK YOU FROM A STRESSED OUT TEEN