<p>I am from Saudi Arabia. The education is in a very bad condition here. I have a degree in Information Systems from a local school and had a GPA that allowed me to get a scholarship in US. The thing is, I am obligated to major in Computer Science (luckily it’s what I want) but my background mostly is in Information Systems. and it’s not as solid as you may expect(sadly). The problem here is that I don’t know how I will get into graduate school and getting an MS in CS while my major is in IS. Also, the institution which has granted the scholarship are stubborn and are mandating me to finish MS in two years and that I mustn’t take any other courses (like core courses) even if that’s on my own expense!, unless the college suggest so and raises a request for that, but do colleges do that for students ? Also it’s not always guaranteed. </p>
<p>Now in a case like this, what is the course of action I should take to ensure that I learn and enjoy my time rather than suffer and feel like an intruder who is just trying to catch up knowing that he will not!?</p>
<p>Please I need an answer for that, I feel agonized by thinking about this issue.</p>
Here, almost no one cares about learning. Most only care about getting a degree for getting a job.
It’s not a preferred sight for everyone to show enthusiasm in school. You will get discouraged and get taunted, it’s like there is this invisible label you place on your forehead. that gives the right for everyone to disrespect you.
Most students act like teens.
If you raise your hand when an instructor or a professor requests students to ask, the first person to resent you for asking a reasonable, within the scope question, is the professor himself :S
Having a different belief system or mindset will only make you more miserable than you currently are.
Most professors are ego maniacs and you should begin each sentence with doctor or you will be resented by them, I even witnessed this several times.
Most students study one week prior to exams.
No one like to talk to about programming or math. Specially the CS and CE students (end me please).
If you show you diligence, you are basically f&*%ed.
Students don’t respect their teachers, I can’t describe how awful it is.</p>
<p>I’d need to write a book to list most of the things I’ve witnessed through that nightmare. I’ve watched tons of movies and played tons of video games since early childhood, but I’ve never seen such wickedness as the one I witnessed in this school, It has literally made me fall into despair. I may keep updating this post with more remarks if you want me to.</p>
<p>What an unpleasant description of study in your college. It sounds like you might enjoy study here very much. </p>
<p>This may be a problem in CS if you don’t have CS prereq’s. Some programs will conditionally admit you, meaning that they will tell you to take certain courses before you begin the Master’s program. Maybe that is ideal for you to be able to add another year to your program?</p>
<p>Can you list what math and CS courses you have taken so far? and any other experience outside class?</p>
<p>thank you BrownParent for your response. I will list the courses I took but bare in mind that they aren’t taken in the rigor expected. The courses are:
Intro to CS
Programming 1 (c)
Programming 2 (c++)
Data structures and algorithms analysis
Fundamentals of databases
Data mining
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
Computer Security
Computer Networks
Software Engineering
Web Development
some I didn’t list because the circumstances were not fit to be psychologically prepared to study at the time. So I don’t consider myself have taken the courses, you may call it denial. I hope I can take them in the next run.</p>
<p>Math related:
Quantitative Analysis Part 1
Quantitative Analysis Part 2
Calculus 1
Linear Algebra</p>
<p>Most of these courses I scored A+ or A. But, are these scores accurate? Do they represent a real gain? I don’t think they are if you ask me, looking at the school I am talking about…</p>
<p>So I look forward to hear you opinion and others</p>