Okay this might be long.
Im trying to transfer as a computer science major for fall 2018. I have already applied and been accepted to UTSA and Texas State, but am also considering applying to UT Dallas and maybe UT Austin.
So about me, I used to be an engineering major for one semester at Baylor University but I had to leave last spring because I was dying, yes really. As a result of being in and out of the hospital and ER that first semester and feeling like literal death all the time I didn’t do so well and ended that semester with a 2.99 (ouch) GPA. I have gotten all A’s and B’s since being at community college but my GPA is still only a 3.11 or 3.33 depending on which school is calculating it. Of course I would like to go to UT Austin but my odds of getting in are probably next to none. I have a great essay explaining my circumstances of living in the hospital for 5 months but I honestly don’t think they will care about that and just see that my GPA is sucky. It’s quite frustrating. My brother graduated from UT Austin Plan Two Honors and he recommends UTD to me because the Comp Sci program is great. However, I haven’t applied there and am not sure about what kind of GPA/scores they look for.
Another big thing is that my mom wants me to live with her in Austin because she’s worried I’ll have another medical emergency. So UT Austin and San Marcos are the obvious close choices and UTSA would be about an hour and a half drive for me but I would only go three days a week and if its worth it I would do it. My mom said if my first semester goes well there then she would trust me to move out on my own again. But, if UTD is the best option for me I could try to wait another semester and transfer there Spring of 2019 if all goes well with my help.
Sorry this was so long. Im just looking for advice about what school might be the best option. UTSA and Texas State have okay CS programs but I really just need more information. Thanks for reading if you actually did read this.
I live in South Texas, and I’m a computer professional, so you’re in luck. UT Austin is probably not the best option. Even if you get in, their CS program is cutthroat competitive. Unless you can manage a 3.9 GPA, you’d be setting yourself up for failure big time. You don’t need to go through that again after what you just went through. I think the best option is Texas State. It’s only 30 minutes from Austin and it’s a great school. That’s one of the “go-to” schools for UT throwbacks. The tech majors who transfer to Texas State typically do very well from what I hear.
Computer degrees are very employable out of college and it doesn’t matter where you go to school. I went to Tarleton State and I had no trouble finding a job out of college. What matters most is your health. Going to UTD won’t help your career any more than Texas State. As long as you have a degree and you have a level of proficiency in a mainstream programming language like C#, Java, SQL, etc. you’ll find a good entry level job. Texas has 4 major tech hub cities!
Don’t waste your time applying to UT Austin CS program. It is unlikely you could get admitted to CS there or finish well in the program. Just go to your local college and do your best.