Anonymous
04/04/2015 17:54
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:CMU alum here. At least when I went there (15 years ago), it was possible. Most employers, especially in the IT field (like me) don't care about the minor though. We'd take anyone from CMU with a math degree because we know at CMU the curriculum is very CS-oriented anyway.
Actually, there's nothing to stop him from just taking all the CS classes. I did not major in CS (instead a related field) but I just took most of the CS courses anyway. You can sign up for any classes you want as long as you meet the pre-reqs.
You may also want to ask him if he really wants to study CS. Here's what I tell prospective CMU students (I'm an alum interviewer):
ECE (Electrical/Computer Engineering): If you want to design and program the chips that are used in computers and devices
CS: If you want design the progamming languages of computers. For example, if you want to implement a better algorithm for sort data.
IS: If you want to use existing programming languages and tools to solve business problems.
I steer the people who are good writers and well-spoken to IS, and those who aren't to CS. It's really difficult to find well-rounded individuals in the tech industry, who understand tech well but can also speak to managers and understand the business issues.. so your nephew will really flourish if he's got those skills also.
Thank you - this is such great advice! My DD (current Junior) is thinking about a CS major and this is so helpful.
Anonymous
04/04/2015 13:40
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Thanks, everyone. It is a good problem to have, and we are super happy for him. Just a matter trying to figure out where he will be happiest!
Anonymous
04/04/2015 13:24
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:His other acceptances were Michigan, Urbana-Champaign, and UT-Austin. I think the thing that's holding him back is that he's waitlisted at CMU for CS, which is what he would pick if he gets in.
Honestly for CS those are all fantastic schools.
Anonymous
04/04/2015 11:18
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Daughter considered CMU last year but opted for UIUC and loves it. Her classmate and friend picked CMU and although waitlisted had no problem going directly into ECE first semester. I think as long as you commit to the school you will have have no problems. It's almost a weeding exercise I think. My daughter loves UIUC but her friend is very depressed and lonely at CMU btw.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 21:02
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:His other acceptances were Michigan, Urbana-Champaign, and UT-Austin. I think the thing that's holding him back is that he's waitlisted at CMU for CS, which is what he would pick if he gets in.
I'm not as familiar with undergrad, but UIUC and UT-Austin are excellent CS schools at the graduate level.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 11:24
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
His other acceptances were Michigan, Urbana-Champaign, and UT-Austin. I think the thing that's holding him back is that he's waitlisted at CMU for CS, which is what he would pick if he gets in.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 11:18
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:]
ECE (Electrical/Computer Engineering): If you want to design and program the chips that are used in computers and devices
CS: If you want design the progamming languages of computers. For example, if you want to implement a better algorithm for sort data.
IS: If you want to use existing programming languages and tools to solve business problems.
I steer the people who are good writers and well-spoken to IS, and those who aren't to CS. It's really difficult to find well-rounded individuals in the tech industry, who understand tech well but can also speak to managers and understand the business issues.. so your nephew will really flourish if he's got those skills also.
This is not a good description of Computer Science. Designing programming languages is just one subfield of CS, and whether or not you use an existing programming language is not a way of distinguishing between IS and CS. Computer science is much broader than that, and you will find both good and bad communicators in the field, as you will in most fields.
A focus on business applications is a defining characteristic of IS, though.
Agree fully. Computer science is also a science with a deep theory bent. A major component is designing and analyzing algorithms, for example, not just programming languages. This interpretation is hugely relevant at a top CS school, especially if the alternative is studying math.
In terms of CS vs math, it depends on your nephew. I actually have degrees in both, because I liked the mathy aspects of computer science. However, many computer scientists are not fond of math, so it's really a personal preference.
Computer science pervades a lot of the ethos of CS at Carnegie Mellon, so it would be fine, but what are the other options? Your nephew might have a better time at a strong school for CS that actually allows him to major in what he wants. Does he have options like UMd, U Michigan, UCLA, or Harvey Mudd?
Anonymous
04/03/2015 11:11
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:I'll add that I have one at CMU and one at Pitt. They share an apartment and love Oakland and Pittsburgh. Good luck!
Ooh, thanks! How does yours like CMU?
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:56
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:]
ECE (Electrical/Computer Engineering): If you want to design and program the chips that are used in computers and devices
CS: If you want design the progamming languages of computers. For example, if you want to implement a better algorithm for sort data.
IS: If you want to use existing programming languages and tools to solve business problems.
I steer the people who are good writers and well-spoken to IS, and those who aren't to CS. It's really difficult to find well-rounded individuals in the tech industry, who understand tech well but can also speak to managers and understand the business issues.. so your nephew will really flourish if he's got those skills also.
This is not a good description of Computer Science. Designing programming languages is just one subfield of CS, and whether or not you use an existing programming language is not a way of distinguishing between IS and CS. Computer science is much broader than that, and you will find both good and bad communicators in the field, as you will in most fields.
A focus on business applications is a defining characteristic of IS, though.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:51
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Anonymous wrote:Thanks, that is all very helpful. I think he is worried that if he chooses math and doesn't like it, he'll be stuck doing math for the entire four years. I don't think engineering is on the table. I have a math degree myself, and I think it's very valuable and transferable, so I am thinking that plus comp sci since he does enjoy it would work.
One more practical math-related major they offer is Operations Research, if he wants a bit less theory.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:48
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
I'll add that I have one at CMU and one at Pitt. They share an apartment and love Oakland and Pittsburgh. Good luck!
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:19
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
Thanks, that is all very helpful. I think he is worried that if he chooses math and doesn't like it, he'll be stuck doing math for the entire four years. I don't think engineering is on the table. I have a math degree myself, and I think it's very valuable and transferable, so I am thinking that plus comp sci since he does enjoy it would work.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:13
Subject: Re:Carnegie Mellon choices
CMU alum here. At least when I went there (15 years ago), it was possible. Most employers, especially in the IT field (like me) don't care about the minor though. We'd take anyone from CMU with a math degree because we know at CMU the curriculum is very CS-oriented anyway.
Actually, there's nothing to stop him from just taking all the CS classes. I did not major in CS (instead a related field) but I just took most of the CS courses anyway. You can sign up for any classes you want as long as you meet the pre-reqs.
You may also want to ask him if he really wants to study CS. Here's what I tell prospective CMU students (I'm an alum interviewer):
ECE (Electrical/Computer Engineering): If you want to design and program the chips that are used in computers and devices
CS: If you want design the progamming languages of computers. For example, if you want to implement a better algorithm for sort data.
IS: If you want to use existing programming languages and tools to solve business problems.
I steer the people who are good writers and well-spoken to IS, and those who aren't to CS. It's really difficult to find well-rounded individuals in the tech industry, who understand tech well but can also speak to managers and understand the business issues.. so your nephew will really flourish if he's got those skills also.
Actually, there's nothing to stop him from just taking all the CS classes. I did not major in CS (instead a related field) but I just took most of the CS courses anyway. You can sign up for any classes you want as long as you meet the pre-reqs.
You may also want to ask him if he really wants to study CS. Here's what I tell prospective CMU students (I'm an alum interviewer):
ECE (Electrical/Computer Engineering): If you want to design and program the chips that are used in computers and devices
CS: If you want design the progamming languages of computers. For example, if you want to implement a better algorithm for sort data.
IS: If you want to use existing programming languages and tools to solve business problems.
I steer the people who are good writers and well-spoken to IS, and those who aren't to CS. It's really difficult to find well-rounded individuals in the tech industry, who understand tech well but can also speak to managers and understand the business issues.. so your nephew will really flourish if he's got those skills also.
Anonymous
04/03/2015 10:06
Subject: Carnegie Mellon choices
My nephew was accepted to Carnegie Mellon's Mellon College for Science and the Engineering college. He was waitlisted at the Computer Science college, which of course is where he really wants to go. Does anyone know if it's possible to major in math while doing a minor in comp sci? They are calling the
school but I thought I'd see if anyone has any firsthand experience.
school but I thought I'd see if anyone has any firsthand experience.