One thing I like about the degree plan (I’m sure others might disagree) is that it allows me time to build up to Calculus level math instead of taking it freshmen year like most CS degrees require. This means I can start the degree much sooner because I do not need to take the prerequisites for Calculus before I can start the freshmen year. I did not take a ton of math in high school since at the time I was not considering a STEM degree, so I would need to build up my math level for a couple years before starting most CS degrees at most colleges. Also, some might argue that if I’m serious about CS, I should want to do as much math as possible, but I don’t think I would use it much after graduation. Since I am planning to become a UI/UX designer or developer with focus on web, I do not think there would be much practical application for advanced calculus in that field. Am I wrong? I thought you only really used the math classes in CS degree plans if you go into programming physics engines, graphic engines, or something like that.
I am currently almost done with an associates degree in graphic design and need to get a bachelors afterwards. Since I am interested in UI design and want to learn both design and some development, I am considering a CS degree. I know CS is not the same as web development, but it does usually look appealing to employers on your resume when applying to that type of job. There are colleges that offer web development degrees, but from what I hear, a web development degree is not considered as good as a CS degree to most employers and would not be as marketable.
BTW, I plan on getting a minor in marketing. That way I will have knowledge and skills in 3 areas: Computers/development, graphics, and business marketing. These 3 topics always sounded interesting and useful to me.
I think just about anywhere can be pretty good for a CS degree. Some places definitely hold more prestige then others, but at the end of the day, it’s your experience that will help you land jobs.
I personally don’t use much Calculus or Linear Algebra in my day-to-day stuff. The most advanced I usually get is trig, so I think it’s okay if you go a bit math light.
I will warn you that Computer Science degrees are usually pretty tough and generally have a high drop-out/major change rate pretty much across the board, so be prepared.
Go to the best school that will accept you. You’ll get more out of it and have an easier time getting a job.
Calculus is just glorified algebra. Don’t fear it. If you study it a little every day like a language you’ll do fine. Start prepping now if you like by auditing an evening class, getting a book to go through (textbook like Calc 1A), or audit a summer school class.
If you can’t get in one of those schools now consider spending two years at a community college. You are a shoe in at that point to the top school. That’s the way the system works.
Yea I’ve heard CS is very difficult and has a high drop out rate. I’m willing to do it anyway.
I would do that, but I’ve already spent a few years at a community college and am about finished with an AAS in graphic design. I’d prefer not to spend more time at the community college if I don’t have to so I can get my degree faster. I considered getting my bachelors in graphic design because I have the most credits in it, but most of the credits I have taken will not count towards my bachelors. If I’m going to spend that much time getting a bachelors, it might as well be in another subject because it seems redundant to get 2 degrees in graphic design anyway. I think TWU will be the best for me because since it doesn’t require calc freshmen year, I can still be working on my degree while I’m leveling up my math skills and could probably graduate in 4 years. I’m worried I wont get a bachelors degree until I’m in my 30s if I spend too much time preparing for a CS degree with math.
I’ll try taking some more math classes while I finish my associates, but I don’t think I could get up to calculus level before I finish my associates. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try, though. Maybe it will work better if I just study lots of math in the summer before I take another math class in the fall.
Prestige of your college might help you get a job, but will the difference in pay be worth paying twice the tuition for 4 years? TWU has a pretty good price for their tuition. It’s much better than most other 4 year colleges. I will apply to some more prestigious colleges and consider them, but I think ivy league colleges are a bit over priced and over rated. I graduated with honors from high school, got a 1600 on my SAT, had one of the best art portfolios in the honors art department of my high school, was considered a prodigy by some, great credentials overall but too many too list right now, and attended the best college in the country for computer animation for a short period of time. I went to Ringling College of Art and Design if you want to know. The college was ranked highest in the country for computer animation, renowned as one of the best in the world for that major, and the first place pixar goes to hire. I decided to move back to the community college because it sucked. Colleges like that are very superficial, full of superficial people, don’t care about their students, charge too much for tuition, and don’t necessarily land you a job at pixar or one of the best places to work because there isn’t enough demand to get all the graduates of the program a job there. At first, I thought it would be worth staying at a place I didn’t enjoy because of the “quality” and “prestige” of the college, but the longer I was there, the more I realized how inflated the price and the ego of the school really is. Going to a top college seems over rated to me now. In an artist field of work like animation or design, most smart hiring managers care more about your portfolio than where you went to college anyway. Your portfolio shows the quality of your work, not the name of the college. What determines the quality of your work is not the college, but how much work the student puts into it. Therefore, what matters is the individual, not a the college. I’m not sure I even want to work with someone who doesn’t realize that anyway.
Being that you are going from a community college to a four year university your odds of acceptance are about 99% I would guess. So, you have lots of opportunity here. You might find a balance of cost, prestige, opportunity, and just go with your gut feeling. I would see if you can visit some of the departments of a few schools that interest you. Talk to a few students there and professors.
Thank you for the advice. I hope you’re right about my high chances of acceptance. Most likely my chances are higher at a college like TWU than one of the top rated universities I would guess. It probably doesn’t hurt that I’m also in Phi Theta Kappa and my gpa isn’t too bad. I’ll try to keep it that way.
Yea…that’s what I did. I had average grades in high school. I went to a community college for a couple of years getting down the basics and then some. I didn’t have the best grade point average and got accepted to every university I applied. I ended up going to U.C. Berkeley and got a degree in Physics.
This is the deal. As mentioned above there is a high dropout rate all across the board. People often go straight to the universities and either drop out or don’t have the grades to come back the next year. This leaves room that has to be filled. The community college is essentially a two year institution. It almost seems as though coming from there you have priority getting into the university.
Go and apply where ever you want. I think you’ll be surprised.
Ok thanks. I might need some pre-engineering education before I get in though since I don’t have enough math credits right now. From the CS curriculums I’ve seen offered at most colleges, it looks like all CS majors are expected to take calculus freshmen year. Do they ever allow you to work on CS credits while you are taking lower level math courses and just take calculus later on in the degree plan? If they allow that, I could finish faster because then I wouldn’t have to wait until I finish 3 semesters of math before I even start freshmen level courses. I’ll call some colleges this week and ask about it.
That’s a smart move. In one shot, you are training for three careers! As to where you can go to school for your CS degree, I would suggest you take a look at the Computer Science degree program at California College San Diego. The college offers this degree with four different emphases and also allows students to take classes online. That would provide you some flexibility in case you have personal commitments or want to work full-time!
Thanks for the info. The CS degree there sounds like it might be pretty good, but I’d rather go to a nearby university and not pay out of state tuition. I applied to TWU and was accepted for the fall already anyways. Also, the tuition rate at TWU is lower than average for most state universities and they are close enough that I could enroll concurrently at both the community college and TWU while I finish my associates and start working on my bachelors at the same time.