HEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP I’ve been accepted to these universities and couldn’t decide. I’ve narrowed down my choices of universities (from around 10) but couldn’t seem to decide on these left, and the deadline of deciding comes in 2 weeks would appreciate anyone helping.
Background:
I’m an Indonesian high school senior that is interested in artificial intelligence, crypto-currency, and entrepreneurship, and I am planning on studying things that would contribute towards my interests through my undergraduate studies. In case you’re wondering, yes, I have been accepted to these universities.
Ultimate Purpose:
Aiming on raising a startup revolving AI or crypto-currency as I believe they are gold fields for the future&really exciting, but really open to other fields of CS as well. Really keen in finding a workplace in the SV/NYC area (preferably a startup/tech company/banking or consulting on the tech side or the upcoming cryptocurrency field) to act as a backup for me while doing my entrepreneurial stuff. I would also like to, maybe, pursue an MBA down the road (I’m not sure if my undergrad choices would effect this but hey it’s some input) However, I am not sure whether I should and want to pursue a PhD in CS straight after bachelors (this is important as Reed College focuses on this path while others are more straight to industry).
Majors:
Reed College: Computer Science, and planning to enroll on a 3–2 program which would also grant me a Computer Engineering degree from Columbia University.
Northeastern University: Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology with Co-op, and planning to double major with PPE (Politics, Philosophy, and Economics).
UCL: Information Management for Business (UCL - London’s Global University) UCL students graduate in 3 years.
UofT: Computer Science, and planning to double major with Cognitive Psychology or Philosophy.
Many thanks for anyone answering.
Factors:
Education quality
Environment
Entrepreneurial mindset
Intellectual mindset
Job and academia placement
Recognition
Social scene
Etc.
Cost and weather is not a major factor as I am lucky enough to be able to afford each and I don’t care that much about the weather lol xD
If you’re really set on that specific path, I think U of T is a very interesting choice. They have a great CS department, and Toronto is poised to become a huge hub for AI.
Crypto-currency is pretty location agnostic, so I’d take that factor out.
Northeastern is also a great choice in my experience. I’m a student there, and the CS program is amazing, and there are lots of good CS combination degrees, as you’ve seen I’m sure. There’s also entrepreneurship support on campus.
I would recommend against a 3-2 program, as the complications there can cause serious headaches and delay graduation, so I think I would take Reed out of the mix right away given the strength of the other options.
I can’t say I know UCL, so hoepfully someone else can help out there.
In general, I’d warn that double majoring is going to be very hard at all of these schools. Have you mapped out the courses over all semesters? I think it may be downright impossible in every case just at a glance. I realize AI is a huge sprawling field, and add economics in with cryptocurrencies and you’ve got a ton of focus areas. I think the better route, no matter what school you go to, is to not focus on what your degree says, but take a few classes in each. You’re going the entrepreneurship route, so knowledge is much more important than perception of others here.
Example, using Northeastern just because I know it best:
A BA (less general science req’s that will slow you down) in Computer Science
3 classes in Cognitive Psych
3 classes in Economics / Political Science
3 classes in Philosophy / Sociology
This would cover all the subjects you want, be much more manageable, and allow you to choose the classes you want rather than being restricted by what a degree asks for. You’d still have at least one free elective given the course selections above too!
UCL is a good choice when it comes to connections outside the college. If you’re concerned when to comes to the ability to get jobs when leaving college, you will have a 100% chance of any job you want if you go to UCL. They offer great connections and opportunities. Honestly, Northeastern probably shouldn’t be considered just due to the fact that it is considered a ‘lesser’ school compared to the others. I’ve toured the campus, and I personally don’t think it has any competition compared to UCL, campus wise and professor wise. U of T is beautiful and Toronto is a great place to live, so when it comes down to it, you just need to decided which country you want to live in. Because, you might stay there for a good majority of your life. Think long term is the only advice you should follow at this point. Hope this helps
U of T doesn’t give direct admission to CS. You would have to exceed the gpa for your intro courses cutoff for 2018. There’s no telling what that cutoff will be. In 2016, it was 74% for students admitted under CS. That is not too difficult to meet, but again, they haven’t decided what it will be for 2017, never mind 2018. http://web.cs.toronto.edu/program/ugrad/admission.htm I would contact the department for clarification before you commit to U of T.
I hope you didn’t choose Reed? Our CS is not very good; unnecessarily theoretical, too tiny to support the grand student interest, and lacking in interest for diversifying its curriculum. You would be very bored if you wanted to do AI.
would appreciate anyone helping.