A good idea to major in Comp science?

[VeggieForce]

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Hi. I am planning on going to TCNJ for college.
SAT: 2050 GPA: 4.65
I am interested in computer science since I love computers, but I would rather be a doctor. Do you think it would be a bad idea to major in computer science and minor in latin? Latin because the language really helps with your grasp of the english language. I already applied to the biology major at TCNJ, but i was searching for a major that wasn't so....repetitive, cuz everyone's a bio major and I wanted to major in something different. I would most likely do the IMM prorgram at TCNJ for comp science, but I don't know how good it is. Computer science will also be something that I could fall back on and maybe even like better than becoming a doctor, but idk yet. And if i was planning on majoring in computer science, should I go to a different school or just stay at TCNJ? I have visited TCNJ and I love it. Any advice?
I know its hard to tell but, overall, is majoring in computer science harder than majoring in bio? Would it be slightly easier to have around a 3.7 GPA with comp science major rather than with a bio major?

 

[AH3]

Major in whatever you will enjoy the most AND still perform well at. If computer science is your favorite topic and you can get at least a 3.5 GPA and keep up other parts of your life, then go for it! Medical schools are interested in the individual, so it's actually good to major in something you are interested in, even if it isn't a traditional pre-med major (Biology, Chemistry, etc.). I'd suggest taking some upper level biology courses to make sure you like medicine though, just to be safe. Good luck!

 

[indya]

I know its hard to tell but, overall, is majoring in computer science harder than majoring in bio? Would it be slightly easier to have around a 3.7 GPA with comp science major rather than with a bio major?

Lol. Hopefully you have taken AP CS or something, so you know what you are getting into. CS is one of the hardest majors to complete. It's at least equivalent to engineering majors, if not harder. I know my cousin at carnegie mellon says that the comp sci majors look down on the math and engineering majors there. it will be significantly harder than a bio major, and will require completely different skills. cs=100% logic, bio=100% memorization

 

[deleted357625]

Major in what interests you.

But, besides that yes.
Computer Science is a very good subject to major in. Because technology is evolving and computer science would be very beneficial for you in the field of medicine. Also, computer science alone even if you don't decide to go to med school is good enough. Computer science is a good degree period..

Biology tends to be typical which i wouldn't recommend.

 

[ICCONFETTI]

Hi. I am planning on going to TCNJ for college.
SAT: 2050 GPA: 4.65
I am interested in computer science since I love computers, but I would rather be a doctor. Do you think it would be a bad idea to major in computer science and minor in latin? Latin because the language really helps with your grasp of the english language. I already applied to the biology major at TCNJ, but i was searching for a major that wasn't so....repetitive, cuz everyone's a bio major and I wanted to major in something different. I would most likely do the IMM prorgram at TCNJ for comp science, but I don't know how good it is. Computer science will also be something that I could fall back on and maybe even like better than becoming a doctor, but idk yet. And if i was planning on majoring in computer science, should I go to a different school or just stay at TCNJ? I have visited TCNJ and I love it. Any advice?
I know its hard to tell but, overall, is majoring in computer science harder than majoring in bio? Would it be slightly easier to have around a 3.7 GPA with comp science major rather than with a bio major?

Hey all, I was just browsing through the forum and I saw this thread and felt compelled to post.
ABSOLUTELY major in computer science if you feel like that is what interests you. It is true that CS is a 'harder' major than most science majors, so you have to be careful that your grades and GPA do not suffer too much. Medical schools rely highly on MCATs and GPAs for admission, so don't let your GPA dip below 3.5ish! You also may have to do a little more work to make sure you fulfill all the prerequisite science (bio, chem, labs) classes. However, despite this, I think that a lot of medical schools definitely look highly on a 'harder' and more non-traditional major. I, myself, did Electrical computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon and decided somewhere in the middle of college to apply to med school. When I was going on medical school interviews, I received a lot of positive comments on the fact that I did E/CE. Engineering and computer science is generally regarded as more difficult majors, especially since a lot of science people don't understand the fields. Even now, as I'm applying to residency as a 4th year med school, I still receive a lot of comments at every interview on my choice of majoring in E/CE. It definitely speaks highly to the caliber of student that you are, and that you may be more logic-oriented (which med schools and residencies like more than 'memorization').
So, if you're leaning towards computer science, don't let applying to medical school deter you!! People enter into medicine from EVERY major.
From my own personal experience, if you're not afraid of a little more hard work, I think it's a great idea!!!!!!

 

[VeggieForce]

Thanks! I'm still thinkin about it. Is there any way I can see how computer science is? Do you think doing a minor in comp science would be better to start?

 

[kcin]

Pick up a book on java or C++ and start learning to program. That's the best way to find out if it's interesting to you. Make sure you realize that there's more to it than that, you'll be doing a lot of algorithm analysis/data structures/other random stuff in college courses.

As others have said, CS would be a fine degree. I just got accepted into a school and I have an electrical engineering degree. You'll just need to take some extra courses along the way to make sure you meet the prereqs. Pay particular attention to the liberal arts/writing courses. I know that with my EE degree I was concerned about meeting the writing hours requirement.

As for the latin minor... I want to say it's a waste of time, but I'm sure someone would argue with me. You might save yourself some time and get more benefit from a biology or chem minor though.

ps. to the guy saying engineering is easier than CS, pssssh. I switched to engineering from CS because I had been programming for years and wanted something more challenging/new (to me) for my college degree.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

CS is a great major because it's interesting and has great conceptual (if not much practical) crossover with the thinking behind good medicine. It's also a stellar fallback, which is something every high school academic superstar doesn't feel they need but 75% eventually do. I think majoring in something other than bio is a good plan in general. However just picking a tough degree track out of a hat because it's different is a terrible idea if that's your only reason for picking it and not a genuine interest in the subject.

Regarding the minor, I believe the biggest mistake that many high school pre-premeds make is drastically underestimating the step they're making in regard to coursework difficulty. You can help yourself avoid some of this by understanding that, in picking anything other than a biology major, your minor is going to be med school prereqs. I've seen very smart, hardworking people crash and burn trying to do double-majors and other extra work on top of the 800 other things one has to do to get into medical school these days.