<p>I am currently a junior in hs and im unsure about my major. Im thinking about probably the Univeristy of Illinois because it has a good engineering program and im instate. Im wondering if you have any other suggestions for good schools. My dad is a civil engineer and an alum. I like my math classes definitely and science im not really sure cuz theyr easy enough i just find myself bored with all the in-depth stuff. I hav had a business fixing computers the past two years and i have built two of my own. So i was wondering what the differences are between computer science/ and computer engineering and whether i should try to get into a more general engineering major and if that is even possible? thanks- here is a short resume of what i hav so far cuz sometimes i worry about selling myself short by going into a computer major cuz i feel lik i should be doing something more challenging, but who knows- thanks!
GPA: 5.4 (honors is on a 5.4 and ap is 6.4 scale)
ACT: 32 (31 math 34 eng 30 reading 33 sci)
Rank: top 10/180
Extracurrics: Cross Country, Eagle Scout, Self Employed pc repair business</p>
<p>U Illinois is probably best for you for comp eng. Also Northwestern, Michigan, Purdue.</p>
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I like my math classes definitely and science im not really sure cuz theyr easy enough i just find myself bored with all the in-depth stuff.
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I'd suggest rethinking your career goals regarding CS or engineering, or at least talking to enough people in those fields to see if it is going to be right for you. Those fields are ENTIRELY the "in-depth" stuff where excruciating attention to detail is needed to do the job. If you find it boring for a few hours a day, how about spending 8 hours a day for 30 years focusing on the minutia because everything has to be 100% right? Even though your dad is in civil engineering, talk to him and I think he'll agree about the focus on detail engineering involves.</p>
<p>well then what majors do you suggest? see this is my problem cuz i know i can do pretty much nething i just dont know what i want although i guess thats a hard question for u to answer lol
Update:
SAT Composite: 2200
720 CR
740 M
740 W</p>
<p>Don't worry. You have plenty of time to decide what your major will be. College is all about trying new things and experimenting with different fields which were not offered at your high school. Who knows? You may end up becoming a philosophy major.</p>
<p>You needn't worry at this point in your life. Just try out different things as a freshman, and have fun. Don't think that you have to enter college knowing exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life. Just take lots of courses from lots of different fields, and have a good time doing so. :)</p>
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i just dont know what i want although i guess thats a hard question for u to answer lol
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You're right, I can't tell you what careers are a good match. At this point I suspect you don't know either, and that's normal for someone who is 16 or 17. What seems strange to me is someone who already "knows" they are going to be a doctor or investment banker or whatever even though they know little about those jobs.</p>
<p>However truth is the game is a bit unfair. If you're going to be an engineer then you need to start as a frosh, actually even earlier than that -- in HS you need to apply as a engineering major because at many public U's it is almost impossible to switch into engineering if you start as a non-major (I don't know about UI, but its true in the UC system). And if you're thinking of a major in the hard sciences you also need to start early because of all the required lower-division courses that are 1 or 2 year sequences (math, chem, physics, etc) needed before you start the major.</p>
<p>There are vocational interest tests you can take that may help. If they don't offer them at your HS then consider figuring out how to take them at a local CC (I dunno, you're bright, figure it out --maybe take some fluff summer class which makes you a "student" and eligible for all school services). The tests aren't perfect, but they're at least a starting point.</p>
<p>This post is getting too long... Anyway, you don't need to decide your career now UNLESS you decide it is engineering. So I recommend getting a summer job in an engineering company somewhere, maybe with your dad's help. Not that you'll be doing engineering work necessarily, but even if you're just filing papers you'll see engineers on the day-to-day job and you'll know by the end of a summer if it is right for you or not.</p>
<p>And when you get to college, if you're not an engineering major then you need to keep making progress on finding a career. A lot of people start college without a focus, but the difference between those who leave 4 years later with a foot on the ladder and those that are saying "do you want fries with that" is the former make career exploration a part of college from the start. They visit the career center and work with the counselors, attend career talks, meet with alums who will talk to current students about their jobs and give advice, get internships, etc. Done this way its 4 years of low-intensity effort to end up in the right place.</p>
<p>Well thx for the advice everyone- much appreciated
and Katharos- im a Junior ;) np nvm jus noticed u wer talkin bout college</p>