Interesting MS in CS Situation

[Mariogs37]

Hey guys,

So I've graduated college, worked for a year in finance, have gone back to take classes and am really enjoying CS. I've only taken the intro class but have done a bunch of self-study and am doing this program in the fall / spring:

http://www.cs.nyu.edu/webapps/content/academic/graduate/pac

It's intended as a bridge to a MS for those without sufficient background. I'm trying to figure out what else I should take in the fall or spring to make myself competitive for an MS.

Here's my background so far (majored in phil in college fwiw):

Top 20 LAC:

Calc II: A

Linear Algebra: B+

Non-HYP Ivy:

Multivariable Calc: A

ODE's: A

Intro to Programming: A

Real Analysis: B

I can take any undergrad course at NYU; would love to hear what you guys think makes the most sense.

Lastly, I'm interested in the MS for two reasons:

1) more exposure to the subject / deeper knowledge

2) time to focus on an area I enjoy / get better at software development

Interested in tech start-up work longer-term.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the advice!

-Mariogs

[victor.s.andrei]

Hey guys,

So I've graduated college, worked for a year in finance, have gone back to take classes and am really enjoying CS. I've only taken the intro class but have done a bunch of self-study and am doing this program in the fall / spring:

http://www.cs.nyu.ed...ic/graduate/pac

It's intended as a bridge to a MS for those without sufficient background. I'm trying to figure out what else I should take in the fall or spring to make myself competitive for an MS.

Here's my background so far (majored in phil in college fwiw):

Top 20 LAC:

Calc II: A

Linear Algebra: B+

Non-HYP Ivy:

Multivariable Calc: A

ODE's: A

Intro to Programming: A

Real Analysis: B

I can take any undergrad course at NYU; would love to hear what you guys think makes the most sense.

Lastly, I'm interested in the MS for two reasons:

1) more exposure to the subject / deeper knowledge

2) time to focus on an area I enjoy / get better at software development

Interested in tech start-up work longer-term.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the advice!

-Mariogs

NYU is expensive.

If you want to work for start ups, go to Silicon Valley, Seattle, Austin, or Boston. I've also heard Boulder, Colorado is a good place to check out.

[ponylevel]

That program sounds like a waste of time UNLESS

a. you work on an awesome project or

b. you end up getting awesome recommendations from professors

Otherwise either

a. get a programming job

b. build your own project/startup

Both of which show that you have the initiative to strive in a new field.

Edited September 19, 2012 by ponylevel