<p>Well, the title simply says it all–I’m at a loss, and have no clue where to even apply. I’ve been struggling for years to decide where to apply, but I’ll give you folks some background information and see what you can come up with. :)</p>
<p>Currently, I’m a sophomore at a community college in Illinois; I have a 3.54 GPA, scored a 30 on the ACT, and will be graduating with honors next semester and joining Phi Theta Kappa. I participated in Art Club, and put in community service with an animal shelter. I work 32 hours a week as well as maintaining my GPA in an honors curriculum (I kind-of have no life). During all of this, I also helped my sister start a business and currently administrate it. But, I more-or-less hate where I’m at and what I’m doing, I feel like I want to leave the state. </p>
<p>I’m from New York originally and want to return, but I have no scholarships and only a modest amount of money in savings. I love learning, I truly do. Philosophy and English are my favorites, but neither of those make money, so I decided I’m going to major in Computer Software Engineering. </p>
<p>I’m super political and like to think I have very independent ideas (but being the self-deprecating philosophy type, I realize none of them are original), I’m also very much into music, I play over four instruments and was actively involved in the music program at community college. </p>
<p>So, I really have no idea what to do. It’s been bothering me down to my core since high school. My dream school is NYU, but that’s a pipe dream. </p>
<p>I’m open to any regions that aren’t considered “The South.”</p>
<p>Are you a resident of Illinois? If so, UIUC is very good for computer science.</p>
<p>Well, RIT’s pretty good for computer technology, but I guess the joke is that they were going to call it South Henrietta Institute of Technology, but the acronym wouldn’t work. It’s in southern NY, and because my friend’s ex went there, she has a bias against it. Also, I suggest looking into Mass, also. NYU-Poly’s in Brooklyn, but you have to make sure you’re going into technology, then, which, by the way, doesn’t have quite the same standards as NYU, so you might be able to get in. [Polytechnic</a> NYU | Polytechnic Institute of New York University | Best College | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/polytechnic-nyu-2796]Polytechnic”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/polytechnic-nyu-2796)</p>
<p>To what the previous poster had been saying, I live in RI, and our valedictorian went into engineering, and decided on UIUC, so you’ll still get a great education if you decide to stay there.</p>
<p>I’m confused by you. Many comments come to mind, but first is the question of transferring into a software engineering program as a Jr. This will be extremely difficult. Have you had Calculus 3 and physics? Engineering Physics? Not sure if languages are required, but have you had matlab? C+? Are you thinking that you will be doing an extra year to complete requirements to graduate?</p>
<p>Here are 2 links you should read to get an idea of what you are up against, if you haven’t investigated yet.</p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.illinois.edu/pdf/transfer/handbook/engr.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.illinois.edu/pdf/transfer/handbook/engr.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://cas.nyu.edu/object/engineering.1113.ug.info[/url]”>http://cas.nyu.edu/object/engineering.1113.ug.info</a></p>
<p>Rochester is in Southern NY? I guess in that it’s not in Adirondack State Park. It’s actually north of RI. </p>
<p>OP, The SUNYs used to be relatively affordable but the price has been going up for OOS students (it’s now near $30K/year). Tough to beat UIUC if you are an Illinois resident. How much can you afford?</p>
<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>Sorry I’ve been terribly busy with work lately. </p>
<p>To respond to a few issues brought up: As far as math requirements are concerned, I looked over a few different programs with my adviser and found that many Computer Software Engineering programs (of the schools I was interested in at the time) had a Calculus 1 requirement. This rings true with NYU as far as I can tell from all of their web pages. Almost all of the other classes that would be categorized as the “engineering” aspect took the form of logic and applied logic classes.</p>
<p>U of I… well, I know a few people who went there for engineering, or physics, or biochem, and they all ended up coming back to community college. They expressed livid frustration with the accessibility of the professors and quality of the education. I know their experiences aren’t universal, but I feel like it’s not the type of environment I would be comfortable in. </p>
<p>And I love that a few people mentioned RIT, I actually used to live about 30-45 minutes away from Rochester, and have family members that went there. It honestly didn’t even pop up in my thought process, so I will most definitely do some research. Excellent suggestions!</p>
<p>Otherwise–aside from all of this–as odd as it sounds to express this now, I have been deliberating over joining the Peace Corps or Americorps for a few months now. Not that they are in-place of college, just as supplements, or “feathers in my cap” so-to-speak. Besides, who doesn’t want to help someone?</p>
<p>The other thing to note that NYU has a reputation of poor financial aid and high student loan debt. Regardless of admissions selectivity, if you cannot pay list price, it should be considered a reach or out of reach.</p>
<p>I think you need to do more reading on the prereqs for entering a CS Engineering program as a Jr with only Calc 1, so you can be more realistic about your options. Did you even read my links for transfer requirements? For instance, UIUC wants Calc III in addition to chem and physics coursework. UIUC is highly respected in this area and the quality of the program is above question. I’d be in question of the students who left.</p>
<p>NYU which has a 5 years program with NYU-Poly says:</p>
<p>“Students are usually admitted to the program as freshmen and must be prepared to begin with Calculus I in the first semester of college. Given the highly structured curricula, transfer into the program after the first year is very difficult.”</p>
<p>In other words you are already taking some of the engineering requirements in your first and 2nd year.</p>
<p>RIT will be looking for an AS in Engineering (or equivalent coursework) with Computer Science classes:
<a href=“http://www.rit.edu/upub/pdfs/Transfer_Guide.pdf[/url]”>http://www.rit.edu/upub/pdfs/Transfer_Guide.pdf</a></p>
<p>The good news on RIT is that they admit a lot of transfer applicants in all programs so I may be a good school to look at in general. But the cost is going to be an issue for you. think About UI–it’s only 2 years and the cost difference is enormous. It’s important to think like an adult here and have some perspective.</p>
<p>Peace Corps/Americorps doesn’t sound like a bad option for you. It would give you more time to plan your future and figure out what you want to do. A couple of young women in my daughter’s CS department did that. Another option, if you are serious about computer engineering, it to take prereq coursework to allow you a shot at a transfer. If you want to do something like that, I’d reccomend that you look at computer science, which is not quite as rigid as engineering, and where it may be possible more to start as a junior (although likely you will need more math and science than I suspect you have.) It still has a lot of opportunities for you in the world, including being a software engineer.</p>
<p>What is now your state of residency for instate purposes.</p>
<p>What is your budget? Transfer students often do NOT get much aid, so that could be a problem. </p>
<p>Are you living at home now? If so, is there a state school that you can commute to as a financial safety?</p>
<p>To Erin’s Dad, that was a HUGE typo. My apologies. I meant to point out that since it’s in Northwestern NY, it’s really snowy, and probably not the NY he really wanted. Oops.</p>
<p>^ What does that even mean?</p>