General Subject: Best path for continued education in Computer Science
Point of Origin:
B.A. General Studies, Bemidji State University, zero Computer Science Coursework
Overall GPA: 3.20
Pertinent Completed Coursework: Math 1470 - Precalculus - 5.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 3.00 (
MATH 2471 - Calculus I - 5.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 3.00 (
CS 235 - Introduction to Organizational Computing - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 4.00 (A) (Purdue)
MA 224 - Introductory Analysis II - Integral Calculus - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue)
STAT 511 - Statistical Methods - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue)
STAT 225 - Introduction to Probability Models - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 4.00 (A) (Purdue)
POL 300 - Introduction to Political Analysis - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue)
Working Full Time From Home – Business Partner, Print eCommerce Website
Objective(s):
Earn a M.S. Computer Science.
Increase earning potential.
Make / Design / Implement Awesomeness
Enjoy what I do.
Finish with the lowest common denominator for: Cost, Length of Study
Maximize Education Career Track Potential
NUTSHELL: Employment as ___________ (software engineer?), Equal Income+ ($65,000+ annual in Manhattan), Opportunity for Advancement Based on Performance & Ability, Diploma hanging on my wall at home.
Summary:
I have an extensive background in Sales. I have been working in sales across multiple industries from automobile, hotel, retail banking, advertising, and print. I consider myself to be very good at what I do. However, I don’t enjoy it. It’s just not me.
The parts of my jobs I’ve enjoyed usually involve an Excel workbook packed with complex functions to increase efficiency in sales tracking, or analyses of AdWords campaigns.
I’ve always been a computer nerd at heart, but was ushered in a different direction. I have finally come to a point in my life where I have the opportunity and the means to redirect my life’s work. And I absolutely love the idea of…well, the only way I know how to put it is “coding”. The idea of sitting with my computer writing awesomeness into code. Maximizing efficiency. Solving puzzles.
This is computer science to me, and from what I can tell, towards the field of software development / engineering.
Possible Directions: All my research into programs has kept in mind that I have zero experience CS-wise.
1) Fast & Quick: There are a few programs, fewer even that are accredited, that offer “education you need to get the job you want.” Although, this doesn’t necessarily hit the nail on the head for me, most of these programs tout accelerated (1-2 years) programs that require ZERO knowledge. The best example of this category I found is the Master’s Program through the Touro College and University System Software Institute Online. With directions in “eCommerce Technology,” “Software Development,” and “Software Systems,” I am guessing that the best fitting program would be “Software Development.” Fast & Quick because this program is claimed to be doable in 1-2 years with 38 credits for a total of $24,510.
2) Jump Into the Deep End: The best program that fits this description is found at PACE University for their MSCS program. For students without any CS background, “some or all of the following courses [and perhaps a few more] may be required”.
CS 502
Fundamental Computer Science I using Java (3)
CS 504
Fundamental Computer Science II using Java (3)
CS 506
Computer Systems and Concepts (3)
I find it difficult to believe that, without any prior experience, these three courses would be sufficient to bring me up to speed quickly enough to keep pace on the remaining graduate level coursework. What would most likely turn out to be at least 12 credits (part time) of undergraduate prereqs at the current tuition rate would be $12,156 plus $39,330 for all Graduate credits.
A superior program (and my overall favored program) is Columbia University’s MSCS Program. On their FAQ page, they make a similar recommendation “If your undergraduate degree is in a different field, you are required to have completed at least four computer science courses covering foundations of the field and basic programming, and two mathematics courses,” going on to recommend:
COMS W1004 – Intro to Computer Science
COMS W3136 – Data Structures with C/C++*
COMS W3157 - Advanced Programming
COMS W3137 – Data Structures & Algorithms
( *FAQ Page states COMS W1007 which is Honors level intro, but states a title of “Object-Oriented Programming and Design in JAVA – course from current catalog substituted)
However, these courses are recommended prior to acceptance into the MSCS program at a Full Time Only tuition rate of $63,500 (after fees) for what would be the required 2 term length of study to complete prereqs before advanced courses. This is risky business, in that the program requires a 3.30 minimum GPA for application and clearly states that on average students entering have a 3.50 with high scores in the subject GRE; moreover, that Columbia University does not offer an official post/second-baccalaureate for completed undergraduate coursework.
3)Slow & Steady: Going for gusto (and mostly likely broke) would be the recently acclaimed post-baccalaureate program in Computer Science through Oregon State’s Ecampus. All told, 60 credits @ $450 per credit for $27,000 out the door with 1, 2, or 3 year tracks.
Up front, I’m digging this option. I feel I could complete this program within 2 years while working full time, providing me with a degree that would get a foot in the door for finally jumping out of the sales business and into a programming role OR continuing my graduate education full time at a university higher up on my preference list with an improved GPA and ability to do at least moderately well on the subject GRE.
4) Jump Start for Cheap: Attend local CUNY Hunter College, completing as much of the BSCS major coursework as possible per semester, taking the GRE & applying to desired programs after the first two semesters.
The tuition at CUNY Hunter College in state is $459 per credit. The benefits here are that Hunter is the only local college that offers evening sections for all required coursework for the undergraduate program. However, if ratings are true, education through previously mentioned OSU Ecampus would be a) less expensive, less difficult to get to…since it would be at home…which is already familiar territory being that I work completely from home.
Conclusion:
The two best options I have are #1 and #3. In comparison, however, first glance shows that the thoroughness of education received would be greater through OSU than through Touro. Both online programs require roughly the same amount of tuition, and it seems that that both programs would offer about the same level of clout when applying for a new position after completion. Lastly, completing a program at OSU would allow the opportunity to do a MSCS….”right”(?). It just seems to me that, when things seem too good to be true (complete your MSCS PT Online in 2 Years for $27k), they usually are.
OSU Ecampus.
My Request:
If you’ve stuck with me, THANK YOU. I would appreciate any and all feedback you would be willing to give.
Best Regards,
C.Sn00b
General Subject: Best path for continued education in Computer Science Point of Origin: B.A. General Studies, Bemidji State University, zero Computer Science Coursework Overall GPA: 3.20 Pertinent Completed Coursework: Math 1470 - Precalculus - 5.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 3.00 ( MATH 2471 - Calculus I - 5.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 3.00 ( CS 235 - Introduction to Organizational Computing - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned: 4.00 (A) (Purdue) MA 224 - Introductory Analysis II - Integral Calculus - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue) STAT 511 - Statistical Methods - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue) STAT 225 - Introduction to Probability Models - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 4.00 (A) (Purdue) POL 300 - Introduction to Political Analysis - 3.00 Credits - Grade Earned 3.00 ( (Purdue) Working Full Time From Home – Business Partner, Print eCommerce Website Objective(s): Earn a M.S. Computer Science. Increase earning potential. Make / Design / Implement Awesomeness Enjoy what I do. Finish with the lowest common denominator for: Cost, Length of Study Maximize Education Career Track Potential NUTSHELL: Employment as ___________ (software engineer?), Equal Income+ ($65,000+ annual in Manhattan), Opportunity for Advancement Based on Performance & Ability, Diploma hanging on my wall at home. Summary: I have an extensive background in Sales. I have been working in sales across multiple industries from automobile, hotel, retail banking, advertising, and print. I consider myself to be very good at what I do. However, I don’t enjoy it. It’s just not me. The parts of my jobs I’ve enjoyed usually involve an Excel workbook packed with complex functions to increase efficiency in sales tracking, or analyses of AdWords campaigns. I’ve always been a computer nerd at heart, but was ushered in a different direction. I have finally come to a point in my life where I have the opportunity and the means to redirect my life’s work. And I absolutely love the idea of…well, the only way I know how to put it is “coding”. The idea of sitting with my computer writing awesomeness into code. Maximizing efficiency. Solving puzzles. This is computer science to me, and from what I can tell, towards the field of software development / engineering. Possible Directions: All my research into programs has kept in mind that I have zero experience CS-wise. 1) Fast & Quick: There are a few programs, fewer even that are accredited, that offer “education you need to get the job you want.” Although, this doesn’t necessarily hit the nail on the head for me, most of these programs tout accelerated (1-2 years) programs that require ZERO knowledge. The best example of this category I found is the Master’s Program through the Touro College and University System Software Institute Online. With directions in “eCommerce Technology,” “Software Development,” and “Software Systems,” I am guessing that the best fitting program would be “Software Development.” Fast & Quick because this program is claimed to be doable in 1-2 years with 38 credits for a total of $24,510. 2) Jump Into the Deep End: The best program that fits this description is found at PACE University for their MSCS program. For students without any CS background, “some or all of the following courses [and perhaps a few more] may be required”. CS 502 Fundamental Computer Science I using Java (3) CS 504 Fundamental Computer Science II using Java (3) CS 506 Computer Systems and Concepts (3) I find it difficult to believe that, without any prior experience, these three courses would be sufficient to bring me up to speed quickly enough to keep pace on the remaining graduate level coursework. What would most likely turn out to be at least 12 credits (part time) of undergraduate prereqs at the current tuition rate would be $12,156 plus $39,330 for all Graduate credits. A superior program (and my overall favored program) is Columbia University’s MSCS Program. On their FAQ page, they make a similar recommendation “If your undergraduate degree is in a different field, you are required to have completed at least four computer science courses covering foundations of the field and basic programming, and two mathematics courses,” going on to recommend: COMS W1004 – Intro to Computer Science COMS W3136 – Data Structures with C/C++* COMS W3157 - Advanced Programming COMS W3137 – Data Structures & Algorithms ( *FAQ Page states COMS W1007 which is Honors level intro, but states a title of “Object-Oriented Programming and Design in JAVA – course from current catalog substituted) However, these courses are recommended prior to acceptance into the MSCS program at a Full Time Only tuition rate of $63,500 (after fees) for what would be the required 2 term length of study to complete prereqs before advanced courses. This is risky business, in that the program requires a 3.30 minimum GPA for application and clearly states that on average students entering have a 3.50 with high scores in the subject GRE; moreover, that Columbia University does not offer an official post/second-baccalaureate for completed undergraduate coursework. 3)Slow & Steady: Going for gusto (and mostly likely broke) would be the recently acclaimed post-baccalaureate program in Computer Science through Oregon State’s Ecampus. All told, 60 credits @ $450 per credit for $27,000 out the door with 1, 2, or 3 year tracks. Up front, I’m digging this option. I feel I could complete this program within 2 years while working full time, providing me with a degree that would get a foot in the door for finally jumping out of the sales business and into a programming role OR continuing my graduate education full time at a university higher up on my preference list with an improved GPA and ability to do at least moderately well on the subject GRE. 4) Jump Start for Cheap: Attend local CUNY Hunter College, completing as much of the BSCS major coursework as possible per semester, taking the GRE & applying to desired programs after the first two semesters. The tuition at CUNY Hunter College in state is $459 per credit. The benefits here are that Hunter is the only local college that offers evening sections for all required coursework for the undergraduate program. However, if ratings are true, education through previously mentioned OSU Ecampus would be a) less expensive, less difficult to get to…since it would be at home…which is already familiar territory being that I work completely from home. Conclusion: The two best options I have are #1 and #3. In comparison, however, first glance shows that the thoroughness of education received would be greater through OSU than through Touro. Both online programs require roughly the same amount of tuition, and it seems that that both programs would offer about the same level of clout when applying for a new position after completion. Lastly, completing a program at OSU would allow the opportunity to do a MSCS….”right”(?). It just seems to me that, when things seem too good to be true (complete your MSCS PT Online in 2 Years for $27k), they usually are. OSU Ecampus. My Request: If you’ve stuck with me, THANK YOU. I would appreciate any and all feedback you would be willing to give. Best Regards, C.Sn00b