I’ve been wondering when do students at rice decide on a major? When they apply to the university, or during their sophomore/junior year of college? I’m interested in studying computer science, is the major very competitive? Thanks!
bump, i am curious myself!
majors are decided at the end of the freshman year.
@wandlmink That’s not necesarrily true! You have to declare a major by around the end of sophomore year.
So I’m actually a Junior CS major at Rice! When you apply to the university, you will specify a school (Engineering, Social Sciences, etc). Don’t worry about that. People always ask “what school is easiest to get into??” but really no one knows and it’s more important that the school you apply to fits what your app says your interests and passions are. When you actually get in it is a non-issue. You can major in anything you’d like.
As far as computer science goes, I applied second semester freshman year because by then I had gone from 99% to 100% sure it was what I wanted. If by “competitive” you mean are the classes cutthroat or hard to succeed in, no! I mean, they’re definitely hard, but the overwhelming atmosphere at Rice is collaborative. I work with my CS friends from my residential college on pretty much every assignment. So that’s just about every day haha.
It may go without saying, but finishing the major is more challenging if you start in fall of your sophomore year. That being said, it’s totally doable! I have a lot of friends who did it. And don’t be confused – that’s completely separate from when you declare, and if you switch then you can change your major after the end of sophomore year!
@danshe118 @gray7time If you have more questions, I’d love to answer them!