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College Educations, Part II; Now with less sketchiness
Topic Started: Jun 2 2010, 11:24 PM (5,445 Views)
meh
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1st Lieutenant
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Telosan
Oct 10 2011, 04:45 PM
Okay, so now its getting to crunch time. The early decision deadlines for college are November 1st, with the absolute latest deadlines being December 1st. I've taken the SAT several times, the last one being the start of this month and will be taking it once more in the first week of November.

Now, my problem. Taking the SAT is about the only thing I know about applying for college. This is bad. Very, very much so. My mom did not go to college until she was in her early 30s and my dad only went to an associates level after the army paid for him. In other words, no help is coming from their direction. Yesterday, I submitted my third request for a meeting with my guidance counselor about what the hell I'm going to do, after the first two received no response. Today, I was told my meeting date is November 21st, way too late if I'm going to accomplish anything.

Anything I've done, I've done on my own with little knowledge, so I'm sure I messed up somewhere and the stress is seriously starting to build up, coupled with 6 AP classes that, in hindsight, was a really bad idea to sign up for. I've managed to put together a list of colleges I'm interested in, but that's not helping me much, considering that it was just yesterday that I learned that throwing your SAT scores at various colleges is not the only thing you have to do. I knew there had to be something else, but never found out what or was informed of anything. (I knew essays were involved, but I thought they were for scholarships only and, oh god, that's another story entirely.)

So... help? :sad:
What colleges are you looking at?
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Telosan
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
Never heard of CommonApp, I'll check it out.

My list is embarrassingly elite. Everyone I know who works in the field I'm looking at (Computer Science or just IT in general) say that to be successful, I'll need to go to an exceptional college and learn everything I possibly can, or else I might as well not try. The list is mostly filled with their recommendations.

Reach Schools: Stanford and MIT
Confident I can get in: Berkeley, Rutgers, UPenn
Fallbacks: Seton Hall and RIT

I also have UCLA on the list, but I can't recall why as a note here says I was unable to find a worthwhile computer department for it.
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meh
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Telosan
Oct 10 2011, 08:54 PM
Never heard of CommonApp, I'll check it out.

My list is embarrassingly elite. Everyone I know who works in the field I'm looking at (Computer Science or just IT in general) say that to be successful, I'll need to go to an exceptional college and learn everything I possibly can, or else I might as well not try. The list is mostly filled with their recommendations.

Reach Schools: Stanford and MIT
Confident I can get in: Berkeley, Rutgers, UPenn
Fallbacks: Seton Hall and RIT

I also have UCLA on the list, but I can't recall why as a note here says I was unable to find a worthwhile computer department for it.
Here's some advice:

Stay away from California. The schools are overcrowded, and there is a guarantee your tuition will go up every single year.
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Ulgania
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
Haha, every college is getting more expensive.
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
Ulgania
Oct 10 2011, 10:28 PM
Haha, every college is getting more expensive.
Exactly. Thank God I'm done. At least for now.

I really don't want to have to get a Master's to have any shot of a real job.
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
Telosan
Oct 10 2011, 08:54 PM
Never heard of CommonApp, I'll check it out.

My list is embarrassingly elite. Everyone I know who works in the field I'm looking at (Computer Science or just IT in general) say that to be successful, I'll need to go to an exceptional college and learn everything I possibly can, or else I might as well not try. The list is mostly filled with their recommendations.

Reach Schools: Stanford and MIT
Confident I can get in: Berkeley, Rutgers, UPenn
Fallbacks: Seton Hall and RIT

I also have UCLA on the list, but I can't recall why as a note here says I was unable to find a worthwhile computer department for it.
Consider a double major in CS and MIS (Management Information Systems)... You'll get a job in seconds and make $$$...


Edit: Also, just go to their websites and all of the req's for undergraduate application will be there. Warning, those schools will all probably have fees to apply.
Edited by flumes, Oct 11 2011, 09:20 AM.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
You have expensive tastes. Those schools have their rep in CS and IT because of their GRADUATE programs. I've seen lists of the best undregraduate programs and I'll search for them - there are some surprises on there (like Northern Illinois University). Also, Flumes is right about the double major - of course, this is coming from a guy (me) that would never hire someone with an IT degree for an IT position! :evil:

These are fun lists: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings

Also, Carnege Melon is the best school for landing a job, period; especially in IT.

Here is a list you probably already found, but look at the public school options: http://www.collegecrunch.org/rankings/the-20-best-schools-for-computer-science-majors-2009/

UofM, UofW, UofI and UofT are all great public schools doing great things in CS and IT, and all have pretty nice campuses!

What are the State schools in NJ? They might be your most cost-effective option, and usually every state's flagship campus has the best IT and CS departments available.
Edited by New Harumf, Oct 11 2011, 10:05 AM.
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
My grandfather went to Carnege Melon. He is a smart man.
Edited by flumes, Oct 11 2011, 02:40 PM.
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Telosan
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
Thanks guys! I've got a few general directions and have forced my counselor into an earlier meeting. This weekend I'll be putting together my applications and essays.
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Abnar
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the lurkiest of them all?
Telosan
Oct 10 2011, 08:54 PM
Never heard of CommonApp, I'll check it out.

My list is embarrassingly elite. Everyone I know who works in the field I'm looking at (Computer Science or just IT in general) say that to be successful, I'll need to go to an exceptional college and learn everything I possibly can, or else I might as well not try. The list is mostly filled with their recommendations.

Reach Schools: Stanford and MIT
Confident I can get in: Berkeley, Rutgers, UPenn
Fallbacks: Seton Hall and RIT

I also have UCLA on the list, but I can't recall why as a note here says I was unable to find a worthwhile computer department for it.
First: I went to Michigan State University (on full scholarship), graduated with a 3.4, was recruited by Microsoft, Google, and the NSA, and took a job with GE Aviation for their masters' program. Every competent member of my graduating class was employed at or above $60,000 per year before graduation day.

Second: I find it strange that an "elite" list includes neither Carnegie Mellon University nor Cornell University. C-M in particular has earned more DARPA computer science grants than any other school in the past 10 years. They were my first choice, and I got in, but you can't beat a full ride.

Third: UCB is better than UCLA for computer science.

To get a job in computer science, you don't need to go to a top 5 school. You need a diploma from a school with actual classrooms, and an internship. A comp sci degree teaches you how to learn computer science; you're never going to use any of the course material again unless you stay in academia as a researcher. Coming out of college, employers aren't looking for subject matter experts, they're looking for people who have proven they can pick up the skills that the job needs - internships are excellent for that. A summer internship where you end up getting invited back for a fall and spring co-op is even better, so look for internships within commuting distance from your school, or make plans to take a year off to work in the industry.
Edited by Abnar, Oct 14 2011, 04:48 PM.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Abnar
Oct 14 2011, 04:38 PM
Telosan
Oct 10 2011, 08:54 PM
Never heard of CommonApp, I'll check it out.

My list is embarrassingly elite. Everyone I know who works in the field I'm looking at (Computer Science or just IT in general) say that to be successful, I'll need to go to an exceptional college and learn everything I possibly can, or else I might as well not try. The list is mostly filled with their recommendations.

Reach Schools: Stanford and MIT
Confident I can get in: Berkeley, Rutgers, UPenn
Fallbacks: Seton Hall and RIT

I also have UCLA on the list, but I can't recall why as a note here says I was unable to find a worthwhile computer department for it.
First: I went to Michigan State University (on full scholarship), graduated with a 3.4, was recruited by Microsoft, Google, and the NSA, and took a job with GE Aviation for their masters' program. Every competent member of my graduating class was employed at or above $60,000 per year before graduation day.

Second: I find it strange that an "elite" list includes neither Carnegie Mellon University nor Cornell University. C-M in particular has earned more DARPA computer science grants than any other school in the past 10 years. They were my first choice, and I got in, but you can't beat a full ride.

Third: UCB is better than UCLA for computer science.

To get a job in computer science, you don't need to go to a top 5 school. You need a diploma from a school with actual classrooms, and an internship. A comp sci degree teaches you how to learn computer science; you're never going to use any of the course material again unless you stay in academia as a researcher. Coming out of college, employers aren't looking for subject matter experts, they're looking for people who have proven they can pick up the skills that the job needs - internships are excellent for that. A summer internship where you end up getting invited back for a fall and spring co-op is even better, so look for internships within commuting distance from your school, or make plans to take a year off to work in the industry.
Truth
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Telosan
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
Not that it'll affect where I apply (much), does anyone have a list of the top party schools? :P I want to see where my choices are.
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Ulgania
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
IBFlumes

:D
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Here is the list that I found through a quick google search for 2011.

1. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
2. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
4. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
5. University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Va.
7. Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
8. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
9. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
10. University of Texas, Austin, Texas
11. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
12. Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
13. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.
14. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.
15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
16. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
17. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
18. University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
19. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
20. University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
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Ulgania
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
Telo, go with UVM. It's 19th on the list, but actually an incredibly advanced school. The average "party kid" could have gotten in five years ago but the standards are so much higher, relatively speaking, that it's actually a much more respected uni.

Also I'm moving to that city. haha
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Telosan
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
7 and 11 are on my list!
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Telosan
Oct 17 2011, 09:50 PM
7 and 11 are on my list!
Do you remember the birthplace of "HAL" from 2001: A Space Odyssey

Also, do you know where HAL got his name??
Edited by New Harumf, Oct 18 2011, 08:57 AM.
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
NRE
Oct 17 2011, 09:26 PM
Here is the list that I found through a quick google search for 2011.

1. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
2. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
4. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
5. University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Va.
7. Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
8. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
9. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
10. University of Texas, Austin, Texas
11. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
12. Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
13. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.
14. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.
15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
16. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
17. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.
18. University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
19. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
20. University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

It brings a smile to my face every single time. ^^ :lol:

Ulgania
 
IBFlumes

This merger isn't public yet... :unsure: (Now, I need to be careful what I say so the SEC doesn't come after me... But, all I'm saying... Buy IBM. It's going to go through the roof when the merger is announced. I'd tell you to buy Flumes, but it is of course privately held...)
Edited by flumes, Oct 18 2011, 10:50 AM.
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Toussaint
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Major
Well, I've officially been accepted and put in a down payment, and I'll be studying abroad in Tokyo next semester. ^^
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Ulgania
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
If I'm teaching in Tokyo next year we're meeting up for saki and... maids.
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Toussaint
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Ulgania
Oct 19 2011, 09:42 PM
If I'm teaching in Tokyo next year we're meeting up for saki and... maids.
Excellent. B)

Are you doing JET, or applying to an agency?
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Ulgania
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
JET.

I should be able to swing something like that. haha
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
Ulgania
Oct 20 2011, 04:59 PM
JET.

I should be able to swing something like that. haha
Can anybody be accepted into that program? Everything I've tried lately has come up blank as far as job searching goes.
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Toussaint
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Major
Lansdallius
Oct 20 2011, 11:31 PM
Ulgania
Oct 20 2011, 04:59 PM
JET.

I should be able to swing something like that. haha
Can anybody be accepted into that program? Everything I've tried lately has come up blank as far as job searching goes.
http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/faq/faq02elig.html

English teachers in foreign countries are in very high demand. If you're willing to go to Asia, Latin America, or Africa, and even Eastern Europe, you're pretty much guaranteed a position.
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Hastine
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Universi enim hic sumus.
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My parents have said I should be an ESL teacher, as well as my Turkish friend who is eager to see me in Turkey with all of his (and my) Turkish friends and a Turkish wife. It'd be cool, but I would be incredibly homesick. I'd be better off teaching ESL to students in Toronto, since our multicultural population is huge.
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