giantqtipz

Hey guys,

So I have an undergrad degree in business (economics). I invested a lot of time towards my college career. Had great interships, relevant work experience and extra currics.

The thing is, I grew up with an interest in computer technology, but I decided to go to business school because I'm an international student, and I was concerned with sponsorship.

I graduated recently from college and I'm working now, though I doubt ill get sponsored since I'm not a grad student.

I want to go back to school, but to pursue a masters, in computer engineering. I just have a feeling that I can do something great with a degree like that since I genuinely have an interest in the field. Thinking about it too makes me happy lol.

Now I know engineering is much much much harder than biz school, and there's little chance that ill get in a masters program. Plus even if I do get in, I won't make it if I don't know the basics.

So my question is, is there like an intensive prep program that doesn't last 5 years, that might allow me to get into a computer engineering grad program?

Chucktown

This could definitely work for you. It is a Masters Entry program at Boston U.

Boston University College of Engineering Special Programs Late Entry Accelerated Program

Admission Requirements:
*Bachelor's degree in a non-engineering field
*Grade of B (or higher) in at least one semester of calculus for math and science majors taken in college (AP calculus does not satisfy this requirement)
*General Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
*Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-native English speakers
*Application for Admission

giantqtipz

Wow thank you so much!

This definitely looks enticing, but its in Boston.. Do you know of one in New York? I looked into City College (since its CUNY and it will be cheap), and unfortunately they don't offer an accelerated program.

I'm curious, is masters in CE or CS worth it? If not, I wouldnt mind just going for a BS.. But I'm afraid if I rush through the program, I won't be able to fully take advantage of internships and extra currics..

giantqtipz

If I go for a masters, and I apply for internships, I would be in a significant disadvantage against those with BS won't I?

Chucktown

I don't know if you would be at a disadvantage over BS applicants but if you do go the BS route be prepared for a good 3 years of education to complete it. I am doing that right now. I had a previous BA and am now in a BSIE program. I am also interning just because the experience will be great with helping to secure a job upon graduation, im not too worried about extra-curriculars though.

giantqtipz

I was thinking of completing in 2 years. My plan is to attend classes evevry single semester, and intern at the same time.

I spoke with an admissions counselor at city college and will be meeting him tomorrow. I shouldn't have to repeat my liberal arts classes, especially since I did great on all of them. Hopefully I can immediately start with the major classes. My math is weak though for engineering. I took calc without precalc and it was a mess. Managed to get a C+ by luck perhaps. Took many stat classes and I did great on those B+ and As.

How are computer engineering internships? Do you get trained or are you expected to know certain things?

I did 3 internships in accounting and finance at viacom and a major film studio (conducted comparative research for box office sales), and they're easy to grasp for me. I feel that they're something that even high schoolers can learn, if they're exposed to it every day for a year. No need to think outside the box.

Chucktown

I was thinking of completing it in 2 years as well, then reality came by to stay a while. I am only doing one internship, and have been going to summer school as well to keep moving forward. I am not in CompE, I am in Industrial Engineering which does involve a lot of stats as well. I also didn't have to retake any humanities and it was still a 3 year progression. While it would be nice to take classes and have an internship, that is not possible for me. All I have left is Major classes and my internship is 7 hours away at a major Fortune 300, so moving is the only option, and major courses aren't offered online. Don't get me wrong it might be possible to do in 2 years, but be prepared for more. Even though mine was extended, I would still make this choice again, I definitely love what I am doing.

giantqtipz

thank you so much for sharing the story.

ive just finished my application and paid for it online for city college CUNY. its for a bachelors by the way, not a masters. i have a feeling that my first semester will be just introductory classes. i have no exposure to the field. how am i going to land internships?

as mentioned, im going to attend classes every semester, and get relevant work experiences. im highly interested in the field. but i just dont know where to start..

what is usually required for computer science internships? how soon/early do students usually obtain their internships in engineering school?

sumzup

CS internships usually require a decent grasp of programming in at least one language and some knowledge of data structures and algorithms. You can get an internship anytime as long as you have at least those basic qualifications.

I'd recommend checking out Cracking the Code Interview by Gayle Laakmann as a basic prep book if you ever get around to the point where you're interviewing with companies.

giantqtipz

Thank you.

As I wait for the status of my application, is there anything you suggest I pick up or do to get ahead?

Read books on the basics of programming?

sumzup

This one guy on reddit (great credentials, I know) seems to recommend the book Code (by Petzold) as a great introduction to CS. http://www.***********/r/compsci/com...simple/c6vplej

I haven't read it myself, but it's on my queue.

Beyond that, sure reading basic books on programming can only help, especially if they are about the language you'll start out learning in school. If you can find out what language that is, then I'm sure we can point you to some good resources.

Beyond just reading books, though, I'd advise you to just go out and start programming. Go ahead, read a little bit, but then write some programs. It'll be difficult at first, so start small. It may involve a lot of Googling, so be prepared for that.

Okay, I looked up the CUNY introductory courses, and they seem to rely on C/C++. Not what my choice would be for an intro programming language, but such is life. http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospectiv...sci/dso-cs.cfm

This is the canonical resource for learning C: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C_Programming_Language (If you need help finding an ebook, PM me). Start out with this. Only after you've gotten a grasp of this should you look at C++.

Edit: Looks like CC censors reddit links. Replace the stars with reddit dot com.

One more thing; depending on when school starts, you may want to start learning a language like Python (look up Learn Python the Hard Way) to get introduced to programming. You can always learn C/C++ in school.

Feel free to message me if you need help or anything. CS is tough at first, but I think you'll find the rewards are worth the effort expended.

Edit 2: I keep saying CS when you're actually trying do a CompE major. Don't fear, all of the above advice is still applicable.