<p>By “graduate degree” do you mean PhD or MS?</p>
<p>PhD would be the route if your goal is an academic or research job.</p>
<p>MS might get some benefit, but probably not more than work experience of similar duration as it would take to get the MS, unless you are in a line of work where a more advanced degree would be a checkbox for advancement or higher pay.</p>
<p>Yes I am referring to an MS. I am really not sure which lines of work require a higher degree for advancement… It is nice to think that I could become an engineer for embedded systems used in modern vehicles, bioinformatics or any sophisticated line of work. Whether the effort would result in advancement is outside the range of my knowledge</p>
<p>Government jobs may have higher degrees as checkbox items:
[General</a> Schedule Qualification Standards](<a href=“General Schedule Qualification Standards”>General Schedule Qualification Standards)</p>
<p>However, other jobs may not care much about BS vs. MS. It is generally not a good idea to enter unfunded graduate study.</p>
<p>You can make that decision later, as you progress in your studies some of that will become in the range of your knowledge. I think you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. First things first is to sort out what you need to do to make yourself an attractive transfer candidate. Go see your CC adviser, or transfer adviser if they have one.</p>
<p>@YoungJock,</p>
<p>Being an expert in a certain CS area (assuming the CS area is in demand) will always open more opportunities than just a graduate degree.</p>
<p>But before all of that…</p>
<p>I just realized that you are a CC student trying to transfer. I do want to point out something with being a transfer and going in a CS program. Try NOT to take a bunch of CS courses during your first two years because most 4-year schools will only accept the Discrete Structures course and MAYBE the two initial programming courses. The math, physics, english and humanities/social sciences should transfer smoothly but the CS courses are when 4-year colleges get picky.</p>
<p>Just go for a regular A.A. degree (with Calculus I, II, Linear Algebra and Physics) or take either an A.S. in Math (which will ask for Calculus III, that is not needed for most CS degrees) or A.S in Physics (which will ask for Calculus III and Physics III).</p>
<p>This is what I was referring to previously 
I have not been sure how to go about structuring my schedule as far as which classes I should take… (I was wondering perhaps this is the course <a href=“http://www.massbay.edu/uploadedFiles/Second_Level_Pages/Academics/Curriculum-Sheet-STEM-General-Studies-AS.pdf[/url]”>http://www.massbay.edu/uploadedFiles/Second_Level_Pages/Academics/Curriculum-Sheet-STEM-General-Studies-AS.pdf</a>). Especially since I would rather be a candidate for a wide range of great schools as opposed to taking a strict course which restricts my transfer to only one school. As far as which schools I really should put down on my top 20 I only have few in mind (Amherst, Northeastern, then MIT or Harvard which is very high on the difficulty spectrum).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, an A.A. or A.S. in General Studies would be best to give you the widest range of schools to complete your 4-year degree. Now if you plan to major in CS, include:</p>
<p>Calculus I (for A.A./A.S. math requirement)
Calculus II (for CS major)
Linear Algebra (for CS major)
Physics I/Physics II (for the science requirement)</p>
<p>As for the social sciences and humanities, you can take what you like, but there are a few courses that are almost “can’t miss” when it comes to transferring. These courses are basically at every school for the specified requirement:</p>
<p>Social Science - Economics (macro or micro), World Geography, Intro to Psychology
Arts/Humanities - Art History, Intro to Philosophy, Literature (USA, World or Ethnic)</p>
<p>Like I mentioned earlier, as for CS courses, take:</p>
<p>Discrete Structures (may be called Discrete Mathematics)
Introductory Programming I, II (may be called Computer Science I, II).</p>
<p>One of the main issues with transferring introductory programming courses is that some schools start with Java and some with C++. You may want to take some free time and analyze all of your possible schools and their transfer rules as it pertains to CS courses.</p>
<p>Re: <a href=“http://www.massbay.edu/uploadedFiles/Second_Level_Pages/Academics/Curriculum-Sheet-STEM-General-Studies-AS.pdf[/url]”>http://www.massbay.edu/uploadedFiles/Second_Level_Pages/Academics/Curriculum-Sheet-STEM-General-Studies-AS.pdf</a></p>
<p>You still need to take the preparatory courses for your major.</p>
<p>If you intend to major in CS, fill in that suggested schedule as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Use the “math sequence/electives” for calculus 1/2 (choose the appropriate starting point based on your placement), linear algebra, discrete math. CS major degree programs in engineering divisions typically require calculus 3 and differential equations as well.</li>
<li>Use the “laboratory science sequence/electives” for calculus-based physics (typically needed for CS major degree programs in engineering divisions).</li>
<li>Use the “program electives” for CS courses and any additional math, science, or electronics courses you may need to transfer to your target schools’ CS majors.</li>
<li>If you are already somewhat knowledgeable about computers, see if you can skip the “computers and technology” course and go directly into the CS courses to prepare you for majoring in CS.</li>
</ul>
<p>I’m going to fall under some miscellaneousness here. One thing which I have meant to inquire about regardless of where I am presently, is travel. I love the idea of traveling; going to school abroad or out of state, working internationally, or working out of state. What I am wondering is how I will go about this chronologically or realistically through my ventures in College or work, whichever may be most important at any given time. I know of some good schools or working territories out of state such as Stanford, UC Berkley, Texas AMU… Additionally I know Silicon Valley in California has been acknowledged for being a great location to work technologically. There may be some need for clarification regarding this matter on my behalf, perhaps even a new thread which I am not sure of. I understand school fees increase when I wander out of state, which gravitates me to stay in my own state. Still I am wondering what opportunities I should seek so that I do get a taste of some travel while prioritizing ultimately. </p>
<p>Falling yet into more miscellaneous from current discussion, this is a list I have composed over time of some state schools in Massachusetts which I should revise or reconsider continuously for the time to come. Feedback will always be appreciated</p>
<p>MIT
Harvard
Amherst College
Northeastern
Worcester Polytechnic
Silicon Valley
Umass Amherst
Williams College
Smith College
Boston College
Brandeis University
Mount Holyoke College
Boston University
Clark University
Gordon College
Stonehill College
Hampshire College
Wentworth IT
Endicott
Eastern Nazarene
Westfield State
UMass Lowell
Western NE University
Merrimack
Bard College
Bridgewater
Suffolk
Fitchburg State
Salem State
UMass Boston
Assumption</p>
<p>Many of the schools on your list are private, and do not vary their costs and financial aid for in or out of state residents. When considering private schools, in or out of state does not matter per se for cost and financial aid, except indirectly in terms of travel distance, cost, and convenience.</p>
<p>Use net price calculators on the schools’ web sites to get estimates of financial aid.</p>
<p>I do have one waiver which I gained in high school which covers my tuition at any state school for 4-6 years after I graduate high school (<a href=“http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/adams.html[/url]”>http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/adams.html</a>). I’m actually unsure of how much this is worth exponentially… starting at community college then most likely expanding its value a little through my university transfer. I’m thinking possibly I should consider Framingham State’s CS program ([Framingham</a> State University - Computer Science - Department of Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.framingham.edu/computer-science/index.html]Framingham”>http://www.framingham.edu/computer-science/index.html)) because this is an accredited state school which is actually in the same town I live in, approximately 2-3 miles from my house. The school is known for being very affordable, while it is not as highly regarded as other schools may be. Its CS program offers a co-op which I am not sure is on the same level as courses at other schools like Amherst, Lowell, Northeastern… One thing about FSU would be definite - the difficulty of managing my commute to work, school, home or any combination would be cut down by half compared to actually having to ride a train to school or something. I’m not going to be so wishy washy about choosing a good school, I’ve been told that the better the school you go to, the higher you get paid or acknowledged by employers… Making me question a school like FSU.</p>
<p>Be careful with that scholarship. MA public universities have very low in-state tuition, but high fees, and that scholarship only covers tuition.</p>
<p>For example, Framingham State has in-state tuition of $485, but fees of $3,755 (these are per-semester amounts). [Framingham</a> State University - Student Accounts - General Student Information - Tuition & Fees](<a href=“Student Accounts”>Student Accounts)</p>
<p>Honestly I would really like to obtain more scholarships before getting so deep into college… I understand I’ll be making sacrifices to pursue my education. Simultaneously it is a new age where practicality has become extensive in the sense that resources have become available to almost anybody. Since I know that I am fully capable as a whole, I would like to make seamless transitions through all my work or studies, while being fully willing to work for these opportunities. I do not mean to come off as obscure; my thoughts may be difficult to interpret into words which make sense.</p>
<p>So you are female, then? And you are doing exceptionally well in your courses so far? What is your gpa and how many semesters have you completed?</p>
<p>I’m a 19 year old male. I do have very strict parents which may clear up some doubt. I’ve almost completed one full semester of Community College while only being enrolled in two courses. My grades are literally flawless… My attendance is perfect, I’ve scored proficiently on every quiz or test so far. My next semester begins on January 21st, where I am looking to enroll into school full time (3+ classes). I really would like getting into Harvard University right now, which would be a gradual process because I believe I’ll need my AS in General Studies first. Subsequently I am aware there will be an overload of work needed to be done in order to achieve admittance into Harvard; I do have other schools which interest me. One doubt which has not been cleared is how I would create a seamless transfer from community college into the prestigious Harvard University, which I do believe is possible</p>
<p>Well you have women’s colleges on your list, so…</p>
<p>If you wanted to go to Harvard you would have had a better chance as a freshman because the transfer admit rate is 1%. Out of about 1,600 they will take about 12 and some years they take 0. Those 12 will not likely be from a community college for various reasons not worth going into because it’s not gonna happen. Your assumption about what you need to qualify is wrong. You need to carefully read the transfer page of the colleges you are interested in. I think that you are really lacking in basic information and you need to go to you college adviser. You don’t seem to have any sense of what is realistic or necessary for successfully acquiring your degree. The good news is that you don’t have to go to Harvard for a successful CS career.</p>
<p>I don’t mean to be rude but I just feel there is some kind of disconnect here that a live person at your college may be able to help you with. Good luck, and keep doing what you are doing with your success in your classes.</p>
<p>Well I’m on the Internet, BrownParent… There is no better place to amplify my persona as an overachieving college student or practice writing to a body of higher knowledge for that matter. I am far from discouraged at all, since you did say I do not need a degree from Harvard to be the best I will be. You’re really not rude… I’ll dream big</p>
<p>Will taking online courses at whichever accredited school I am attending at any given time put in at any sort of disadvantage (ie grade-wise, career wise, short term or long term) or will I receive the same opportunities as someone taking the same physical classes as I am at the same institution while getting the same good grades?</p>
<p>If you take online classes at your own institution it is usually treated the same as a regular course on your transcripts so there would be no difference. I personally think it is only something to do as a last resort if you can’t get into a regular section. You will likely have less interaction with the prof and your classmates.</p>
<p>I’m confident in my abilities… I like to be idle #moneyteam</p>