<p>Ok, so my problem requires a bit of explaining. When I applied to CMU, I didn't really have any invested interest in becoming a doctor--and still, I am iffy about it. But just to cover my bases, I want to major in Computational Biology in MCS (which I was accepted to RD). This major is nice because it blends a med-related field with an easily employable one (CS-ish).
Here comes the problem. I only applied to CIT and MCS. I was accepted to both. But to strengthen my non-med resume, I'd like to double major in CS. Is this even possible if I was not accepted/did not apply to SCS? It's not like i was rejected from SCS, I just didn't check the box on my application.
Also, how feasible (if I can double major in Computational Biology and Computer Science) is this combination? Would I be able to do it in 4 years. This is kind of a prerequisite as I can only leech off of the 'rents for so long.</p>
<p>Yes, you can double-major in CS from outside of SCS. Your diploma just won't say "School of Computer Science" on it.</p>
<p>I don't know how much work the Comp Bio major requires, and you should check the catalog at <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/esg-cat/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cmu.edu/esg-cat/</a> to see what the requirements are, and also if you can double-count some courses for both majors. In any case, majoring in CS alone is a pretty hefty amount of work (unless you have some AP/IB credits) so make sure you know what you're getting into.</p>
<p>is a CS degree from the school of computer science stronger than one if your double majoring from MCS... or is it equal just beacuse its still from carnegie mellon</p>
<p>So the whole "The School of Computer Science as the lowest acceptance rate" thing is kind of a wash...if anyone at CMU can get a degree in CS, is getting into the college purely aesthetic (it says SCS on your degree).</p>
<p>I would really advise contacting the SCS dept directly to get details on this - either the Undergraduate Program Coordinator <a href="mailto:cathyf@cs.cmu.edu">cathyf@cs.cmu.edu</a> or the freshman advisor <a href="mailto:pattis@cs.cmu.edu">pattis@cs.cmu.edu</a>. They are both friendly people and would be best able to discuss the difference between first and second majors in CS - for example, I believe SCS students have priority in class registration; also there may be differences in advising, internships, recruiting, etc. During visits we really got the impression that the CS dept goes all out to take care of their students.</p>
<p>"if anyone at CMU can get a degree in CS, is getting into the college purely aesthetic (it says SCS on your degree)."</p>
<p>Sure anyone can get a degree. But how hard are most people willing to work? A lot of kids don't even care about CS and do what they want, whether it be Drama, Business, Chem E, Pre-Med, etc. </p>
<p>Oh and yes, primary SCS kids get priority in choosing classes though I haven't encountered any problems with this yet.</p>
<p>Regarding the CS second degree---you can get the second degree in CS but what you may not be considering right now: it's no walk in the park, there's a lot of work. A lot of kids don't realize this and don't make it through some of the early CS courses you need.</p>
<p>Well I would like to think I'm up for the challenge.
High school wasn't a whole lot of work (at all) so a kick in my academic balls would probably do me more good than anything.</p>
<p>Make sure you don't succumb to the "smart lazy kid" phenomenon of thinking that they're the best student ever because they were at the top of their high school class, and then cracking when they find that everyone at college is equally smart or smarter. Don't get attached to your 4.0 GPA, because if you can't keep it in college you might not handle it very well.</p>
<p>right... id like to think im up to the challenge too... but out of curiousity, lol, by hard work... how hard... like 60+ hours a week? If not, I think ill be fine... its not like its more then a full time job, which i had during the school year</p>
<p>Well my major is physics, course-load will be geared toward 4 years...i have a huge work ethic and im not into partying... as for extracurriculars, i love chess, sports, research.... but i was mainly wandering if the hours were insane,, or do u mainly mean ... be careful if you think you can do this, and party, and extracurriclurs, and graduate in 3 years, play video games..etc</p>
<p>Hahaha, thanks "anonymous." Yeah, I'm definitley not suggesting that CMU will be easy, by any stretch of the imagination...at all. But there is, from what I can gather, a big difference in the amount of work from major to major at CMU(i.e. CS kids do MIT-level mind blowing stuff, while H&SS kids don't have it quite as bad). Now, as I haven't actually taken any classes at CMU, I wouldn't really know, which explains why I'm asking.
I'm willing to put in my time. But I also like to have a good time every now and then.</p>
<p>That's fine. Just go into it thinking it will be hard and you will do fine. If you ever start thinking a course is easy (even the easy ones) you'll find you might be struggling later on.</p>