<p>My son was planning on working while attending UW. I've told him that if he plans on studying CSE then he cannot work. He's not convinced. He's always worked while going to school and doing activities. </p>
<p>So do you think one should work their first year at UW?</p>
<p>Also, dorms. Which ones are best for serious-minded folks, preferably CSE? I was looking at McCarty and they seem good. He's paying for the dorm so he wants a triple. I can't imagine living with 2 other guys. Does it get cramped?</p>
<p>Anything incoming students should know? Any tips? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi again
My son has had a job since 15. He went to Running Start at a local CC, good good grades, and worked tons. He is going into Engineering and is so thankful for that he does not have to work this year (scholarships and Husky Promise covered all his cost for the first year) because the math and science were way harder than he has anticipated. My son is in a double and even that is totally cramped. Can’t imagine how a triple would be but if the goal is to save money maybe he wouldn’t mind. I am not sure of your income bracket but my sons tuition was paid in full by U.W. in our financial aid packet-maybe yours will too?</p>
<p>I don’t know. Our efc is practically the price of an estimated year at UW. We live in a high COL area and have other kids. There is no way we can foot the entire bill. I don’t expect to get much in aid if anything. It would be very nice though.</p>
<p>I think that first 2 years in college are actually the easiest because they mainly consist of satisfying distribution requirements. The last 2 years are very major-related, and I don’t expect CSE to be easy… So, working the first 2 years should be fine.</p>
<p>A lot of CSE majors, particularly freshmen, join the engineering floors in McCarty. Definitely look at that; a lot of pre-engineering (I’m not sure which area of eng I’m going into!) people are also on that floor. It’ll be a wonderful place for him to network. </p>
<p>As for upperclassmen CSE students, many move out into apartments, take a cluster in McMahon with people they know, or sign up to live in Stevens together. Again, this is once they’ve established a good group of friends that they’re okay with living with all year.</p>
<p>As for working: Your son could start off not working, and see how the course load is for him. Perhaps he feels it’s really easy, or that he needs to spend a lot of time studying/doing projects. If he feels confident enough for a job after a quarter, there are many opportunities around campus and U District that hire year round, assuming there are positions open. If work and schools gets too strenuous, make sure he doesn’t feel guilty staying with that employer, even if he only worked a quarter. What really matters in CSE is internships (for future industry work) or research (for masters program or post-grad research) as well as nailing the fundamentals that he’ll be taught in class.</p>
<p>I started off not working, then took a campus job with UW IT in my freshman year. I quit this past January because of time commitments, but maintained a great relationship with my former managers and coworkers so if I ever have time again, they would just give me back my position assuming there is an opening.</p>
<p>I can’t say much about dorm space since I’ve been a commuter the past two years. How much space does your son use at home? How much is he bringing? Assume that the other two guys in a triple with him will be used to using more space than your son, even if they draw boundaries or something when they move in.</p>
<p>Do what she said. But I’d also like to suggest that if he were to try a job the early morning food services would be good. He’ll be wide awake and then he won’t be drowsy running to class. Also, breakfast food isn’t too heavy so he won’t stink like meat.</p>
<p>I don’t know how helpful this will be, but for what it’s worth thought I’d share. Some of my very bright friends in CSE (not direct admits just on the path to to become CSE majors) are struggling, even failing exams, in their CS classes. It can be very difficult for even the brightest students so just tell your son to keep that in mind. He can always work his second year. But starting college with a job and having to adjust to all the new aspects of college life seems daunting. Personally, I wouldn’t do it. But he could look for jobs in the libraries or administration offices. Something on campus would probably be easy enough to work with.</p>
<p>Thank you all. Your advice really helps. Yes, we are going to ask that he not work the first quarter to year. He needs to focus on school. We are definitely going to look at McCarty. I wonder what Elm will be alike. This is all so exciting.</p>
<p>I had no idea we qualified for so much either, but maybe our large family helped? Here is an aid calculator on the U.W. website you can use. You put in all your stats plus your EFC and it will calculate your estimated aid.</p>
<p>No, didn’t change. We’ll figure it out. Tessey, did your son have any friends going to UW. So far the only people my son knows that are going to UW he’s not fond of. He is very friendly and outgoing and makes friends easily, but I think it would be nice to have a friend.</p>
<p>Also, the roommate questionaires are they helpful?</p>
<p>Yes, he has friends that are going there but the closest friends he has made are the ones in his dorms. It is such a huge school he never sees the ones he knew before. Your son will have no problem meeting people if he lives in the dorms, I am sure! And yes, I do think the questionnaire was good to fill out. My sons roommate is much quieter that him but similar in alot of ways. They get along real good!</p>
