<p>I would like to know what kind of Reputation University of Marylands Computer Science program has in the country and possibly internationally. I hear mostly about schools like MIT, Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley as having many job recruiters searching for CS talent. Does Marylands CS department have that kind of recognition within the job community? Any thoughts to this question are greatly appreciated because I am in the process of changing my major to computer science before fall starts. Thanks</p>
<p>You should change your username while you’re at it, if you already got into UMCP!</p>
<p>haha, I really should have changed it a couple of months ago. I just never got the time to.</p>
<p>[Best</a> Computer Science Programs | Top Computer Science Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings)</p>
<p>Tada!</p>
<p>But yeah, not taking research into consideration, UMD is still a really good school for comp sci. After two or three years, you’ll be swimming in internship opportunities. </p>
<p>So whether you want research or job experience, UMD has both.</p>
<p>Thanks. I really did not want to only factor ranking into the equation of reputation because some are very subjective. I wanted to know from firsthand experience, like yours, if I could get internships, job offers, and an exceptional education. When you say “you’ll be swimming in internship opportunities” what do you mean? Was it easier your freshman or sophomore year to get an internship offer? If someone joined the cybersecurity club, would that give them more offers than someone not affiliated with it? As you can see I have a lot of questions because I want to focus my major on computer and network security for governments or businesses. I believe that a computer science degree will help me achieve that more than a computer engineering degree. What are some thoughts on these questions?</p>
<p>Just as an fyi, my friend’s son graduated a few years back and she raves about his experience at UMD. He did several internships and took advantage of a lot of the opportunities unique to UMD - including working in DC for government agencies. Even before he graduated, he was recruited heavily by some big player companies. He is in computer forensics and is doing EXTREMELY well. I hope all of you Terps have that same wonderful outcome, whatever you major in! :)</p>
<p>Thanks maryversity! </p>
<p>umdhopeful,</p>
<p>First year, I didn’t get any internship offers. Though I know some (pretty strong) students you were able to do so. </p>
<p>Second year, I got four! If you stay as a strong student (GPA >= 3.5), I have no doubt you’ll get an internship by your sophomore year.</p>
<p>I never had any experience w/ comp sci stuff besides classes (so that means I’ve never tried the cyber security club), but more experience can never be a bad thing!</p>
<p>Thank you both for your responses, they are greatly appreciated. It seems that I should start studying java and object oriented programming now since I have no prior experience to computer science except for visual basic (self studying tutorials).</p>
<p>When you say “Strong student” do you mean GPA wise only? Does anything factor in, such as computer science organiziations/clubs/extracurriculars, or previous experience?</p>
<p>Previous experience always helps a lot, but a strong gpa (>= 3.5) alone is usually sufficient to get an internship. </p>
<p>I didn’t have much/any experience, but a good gpa. Honestly, I think if you can get around a 3.3, you can get an internship before you leave school. If you want to get a head start (maybe sophomore/freshman year), it needs to be higher.</p>
<p>Would that be your cumulative GPA or just from your computer science classes?</p>
<p>Whichever you put on your resume :P</p>