A slight dillema....

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello. I am a sophomore at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in computer science and minoring in mathematics. I’m still in the midst of planning out my college career and my road to a top PhD program. I have a slight dillema that includes graduation time, degree, minors, and loans rolled into one.</p>

<p>Here are my options:

  1. Pursue a BS in computer science with a math minor. I graduate in a total of 4.5 years (this includes the year that I just completed). (Most PhD programs begin in the fall, so I’ll have to wait 9 months until the program begins, which may affect my paying back of college loans. If I start a PhD program immediately after school, then I don’t have to worry about paying my loans off until after I complete my PhD. Federal loans have a 6-9 month grace period once your unit load drops below full-time status. In the worst case, I’ll be about $25,000 in debt when I graduate. However, I don’t how graduating mid-year and going to grad school that following school year affects loan repayment.)
  2. Stop pursuing a math minor and graduate with a BS in computer science in exactly of a total of 4 years. This solves the problem in #1 about waiting, but I am interested in pursuing the math minor. High level math skills are very useful for computer scientists, and I’ve been interested in learning more about mathematics.
  3. Pursue the 4-1 program offered at my school. By doing this, I stay a bit longer at Cal Poly and graduate with both a BS and MS in computer science (along with my math minor) in a total of 5 years (I already have it all planned). I’ve heard that it is easier for somebody with a master’s degree to enter a top graduate program than one with a bachelor’s degree. However, I’ve checked the requirements of many PhD programs, and it seems that a MS degree doesn’t save any time with completing the PhD program.</p>

<p>What is the smartest option? All suggestions will be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Option 1 seems to fit what you want. </p>

<p>I’d probably do option 3, as an extra 6 months = a master’s, but if you are 100% sure it won’t save you time on your PhD, it’d be up to you. Many PhD programs require a master’s to be admitted, so I’d double check the timing thing.</p>

3

<p>What you study is not my area, but I think it is very rare that someone in your field could hop from earning a BS to entering a PHD program! </p>

<p>I think option number 3 sounds like a genius idea and plan.</p>

<p>I should not state this, but…
If you are ever really close to taking it in the neck with student loans, then take two classes on the cheap at your local Community College or even online.
I should not state that, really, but the student loans can sometimes be a killer and taking two classes in something you might need later on (like a second or third language or a History or Science you might like for your own personal growth and development) buys you a little time.
Then, while you are doing that, you can have your loan ethically deferred and think of what to do with your loans.
I have run into many folks who are up a high creek with their loans and that is beginning to sadden me quite a bit.</p>

4

<p>Student loan programs will defer upon request for a year at least if you are having financial difficulties. So if you’re worried about that, just request a deferrment, then when you become a student again, they will be deferred until you graduate.</p>