Want to switch from finance sector to tech sector- thinking about MS in compsci

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I originally studied economics as an undergrad. I worked in financial services for 3 years now, and I want to switch over to the tech industry. I'm thinking about getting an MS in computer science.</p>

<p>I had a question about recruiting prospects for different MS in computer science programs. I notice that in a lot of rankings (Like USNWR), state schools like UW-Madison, UMaryland, Illinois, rank a lot higher than programs at the Ivies. I was wondering, how do the recruitment prospects for big tech firms (Microsoft, Oracle, Apple, Google, Amazon) compare between these programs?</p>

<p>Wisconsin Madison
Maryland - College Park
UMass Amherst
UCSD
UCSB
UW
Purdue
Rice
NYU
Stonybrook
Yale
Penn
Stonybrook
Brown</p>

<p>It would be helpful if you could group these schools into tiers.</p>

<p>Also what do you suggest in terms of applying? I was thinking that I should take a few comp sci courses at a local college. A lot of these programs say that non-CS undergrads should take courses in Data Structures, Algorithms, and Discrete Math. Do you think these 3 courses are enough? What about math? Is calculus 2 enough?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot</p>

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<p>1) To be honest, there is no need in grouping the schools because for ALL of them, you will need the following to have a chance to be admitted into a graduate CS program.</p>

<p>4 Core CS Courses

  • Data Structures
  • Algorithms
  • Theory/Organization of Programming Languages
  • Operating Systems Theory</p>

<p>Which require the prerequisites of

  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • Discrete Mathematical Structures
  • Linear Algebra
  • A First Programming Course (Java, C++, Python or even Scheme)
  • A Second Programming Course (Java, C++, Python or even Scheme)
  • Computer Organization (prereq for Operating Systems at some schools)</p>

<p>2) All of those schools are about the same because each have some CS specialty that is better than the other. The U-California schools are great overall. U-Wisconsin is known for database theory. U-Washington has the Microsoft ties. U-Maryland has the Washington DC area defense firm ties. NYU and Brown are known for Applied Math/CS hybrid programs. Purdue has computational engineering graduate programs.</p>

<p>3) Microsoft, Oracle, Apple, Google, Amazon ARE NOT THE ONLY FIRMS IN AMERICA AND MEANS NOTHING ON A RESUME for most CS jobs.</p>

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<p>Ok that is very helpful info. Thank you very much. I guess I might have to take a few more courses than to be ready for admissions.</p>

<p>Another question. Is there any chance of someone like me (non-CS/engineering background) getting into a program like Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, CMU?</p>

<p>Which program would you recommend for someone who wants to do software engineering?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>If you take the prerequisite courses, then you can get into those top schools (of course with the right high GPA).</p>

<p>If you want to take the non-Top-10 school route, you will have to find the schools that have graduate software engineering programs that have a built-in “bridge program” for folks from non-CS backgrounds.</p>

<p>Another route is taking a degree program like Information Technology or Information Systems…both which are not as math-intensive as a Computer Science degree.</p>

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<p>Does it matter if I take these prereq courses at a community college or through online courses?</p>

<p>I don’t think IT is what I’m looking for, but thanks for the suggestion.</p>