Undergraduate Admissions - Revision history

Jkinne: /* Advice */

2026-05-22T11:22:17Z

Advice

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 22 May 2026
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	'''3 types of universities''' - large public research university (e.g., IU, Purdue), small private college/university (e.g., Butler, RHIT, Depauw), regional medium size state university (e.g., ISU, Ball State). They all have strengths and weaknesses. You should visit all 3 types when considering where to attend. You should try to choose where you will have the greatest chance of thriving.		'''3 types of universities''' - large public research university (e.g., IU, Purdue), small private college/university (e.g., Butler, RHIT, Depauw), regional medium size state university (e.g., ISU, Ball State). They all have strengths and weaknesses. You should visit all 3 types when considering where to attend. You should try to choose where you will have the greatest chance of thriving.

	'''Working while at university''' - 10 hours per week is good, 30 hours per week is too much for most people. If ~~you don~~'~~t have enough time for~~ your courses ~~because~~ of ~~your job~~ and ~~the rest~~ of ~~your life,~~ you ~~won't be as prepared as~~ you ~~should be~~ to ~~apply for jobs when~~ you ~~graduate~~.		'''Working while at university''' - 10 hours per week is good, 30 hours per week is too much for most people. If get A's in your courses then you are better prepared, will generally have better letters of recommendation, and are more likely to be thought of when some job opening comes up. If you have to work more than you would like in order to pay the bills, do what you can.

	'''The most important thing''' - when interviewing for jobs in CS, in general the most important thing is what you know and what you can do. There is no way to fake that. If a good programmer is interviewing you, they will figure out what you can do. It works out best for you if you are really interested in the challenge of programming and during your courses patiently spend endless hours figuring things out. (Note - it does also matter whether you act professionally - in your courses, in your job, during the interview process, etc. Keep in mind that every ~~teacher~~ you have and every supervisor you have is potentially someone you will ask to give a letter of reference for you at some point.)		'''The most important thing''' - when interviewing for jobs in CS, in general the most important thing is what you know and what you can do. There is no way to fake that. If a good programmer is interviewing you, they will figure out what you can do. It works out best for you if you are really interested in the challenge of programming and during your courses patiently spend endless hours figuring things out. (Note - it does also matter whether you act professionally - in your courses, in your job, during the interview process, etc. Keep in mind that every instructor you have and every supervisor you have is potentially someone you will ask to give a letter of reference for you at some point.)

	'''Your major''' - have more than one in mind when you start university. ~~Make sure you~~ take the "first course in the major" for at least two majors, so that you won't be behind if you need to switch. For CS, it's tough to know if you really want to do it until you've done your first challenging programming course.		'''Your major''' - have more than one in mind when you start university. Try to take the "first course in the major" for at least two majors, so that you won't be behind if you need to switch. For CS, it's tough to know if you really want to do it until you've done your first challenging programming course. Majors that are related to CS that you might consider: Information Technology, Cybercriminology & Security Studies, Computer and Electrical Engineering Technology.

	'''The most important thing''' - whatever major you end up in, the courses in the major are the most important thing you do at university. For CS, that starts with CS 151 and CS 201.		'''The most important thing''' - whatever major you end up in, the courses in the major are the most important thing you do at university. For CS, that starts with CS 151 and CS 201.

Jkinne: /* Should you Major in Computer Science */

2026-05-21T13:06:08Z

Should you Major in Computer Science

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 21 May 2026
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	== Should you Major in Computer Science ==		== Should you Major in Computer Science ==
	If you are beginning your college career or considering changing careers, you may not be certain whether Computer Science is right for you. Here are some links to pages to look at to try to get a better idea.		If you are beginning your college career or considering changing careers, you may not be certain whether Computer Science is right for you. Here are some links to pages to look at to try to get a better idea. Note that some of these are focused on what the job prospects are. In the past, CS was often cited as the best possible major for getting a good job after college. This has changed somewhat in the past few years. CS is still a good major for jobs, but it is much tougher right now to get your first entry-level position. It remains to be seen whether this is a permanent change. Given the current situation, our recommendation is to make sure you enjoy programming and problem solving, and if you do then CS is the right major for you.

	* [http://computingcareers.acm.org/ Computing Careers, ACM]
	* [http://www.princeton.edu/majorchoices/departments/computer-science/ Why Major in Computer Science, Princeton]
	* [http://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/04/16/why-computer-science-is-awesome/ Why Computer Science is Awesome, Stanford]
	* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science Computer Science, Wikipedia]		* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science Computer Science, Wikipedia]
	* [http://code.org/ Code.org]		* [http://code.org/ Code.org]
	* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]
	* [https://cacm.acm.org/news/the-outlook-for-programmers/ The Outlook for Programmers]		* [https://cacm.acm.org/news/the-outlook-for-programmers/ The Outlook for Programmers]
	* [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm Fastest Growing Occupations]		* [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm Fastest Growing Occupations]
	* [https://www.aei.org/op-eds/should-you-still-major-in-computer-science/ Should You Still Major in Computer Science]		* [https://www.aei.org/op-eds/should-you-still-major-in-computer-science/ Should You Still Major in Computer Science]
			* [https://www.cengagegroup.com/news/perspectives/2025/computer-science-grads-facing-a-lack-of-entry-level-jobs-and-a-career-readiness-gap/ Outlook for Entry-Level Jobs]
	* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"		* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"
	* Talk to someone with a similar background to you that has majored in computer science. If you are in high school, ask a councilor if they can put in touch who someone who came from your high school recently and majored in computer science.		* Talk to someone with a similar background to you that has majored in computer science. If you are in high school, ask a councilor if they can put in touch who someone who came from your high school recently and majored in computer science.

Jkinne: /* Should you Major in Computer Science */

2026-05-21T12:44:11Z

Should you Major in Computer Science

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:44, 21 May 2026
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	* [http://code.org/ Code.org]		* [http://code.org/ Code.org]
	* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]		* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]
			* [https://cacm.acm.org/news/the-outlook-for-programmers/ The Outlook for Programmers]
			* [https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm Fastest Growing Occupations]
	* [https://www.aei.org/op-eds/should-you-still-major-in-computer-science/ Should You Still Major in Computer Science]		* [https://www.aei.org/op-eds/should-you-still-major-in-computer-science/ Should You Still Major in Computer Science]
	* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"		* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"

Jkinne: /* Should you Major in Computer Science */

2026-05-21T11:19:29Z

Should you Major in Computer Science

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:19, 21 May 2026
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	* [http://code.org/ Code.org]		* [http://code.org/ Code.org]
	* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]		* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]
			* [https://www.aei.org/op-eds/should-you-still-major-in-computer-science/ Should You Still Major in Computer Science]
	* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"		* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"
	* Talk to someone with a similar background to you that has majored in computer science. If you are in high school, ask a councilor if they can put in touch who someone who came from your high school recently and majored in computer science.		* Talk to someone with a similar background to you that has majored in computer science. If you are in high school, ask a councilor if they can put in touch who someone who came from your high school recently and majored in computer science.

Jkinne: /* Advice */

2026-05-21T11:13:09Z

Advice

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 21 May 2026
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	'''Your major''' - have more than one in mind when you start university. Make sure you take the "first course in the major" for at least two majors, so that you won't be behind if you need to switch. For CS, it's tough to know if you really want to do it until you've done your first challenging programming course.		'''Your major''' - have more than one in mind when you start university. Make sure you take the "first course in the major" for at least two majors, so that you won't be behind if you need to switch. For CS, it's tough to know if you really want to do it until you've done your first challenging programming course.

	'''The most important thing''' - whatever major you end up in, the courses in the major are the most important thing you do at university. ~~If you are a~~ CS ~~major at ISU~~, ~~then~~ CS 151~~, 201, 202, 303 are the most important thing when you are taking them. It's better to get A's in your major~~ and ~~C's in everything else than to get B's in everything. (At least for~~ CS~~, it is; of course it's better to just get A's in everything, but not everyone can do that~~.)		'''The most important thing''' - whatever major you end up in, the courses in the major are the most important thing you do at university. For CS, that starts with CS 151 and CS 201.

Jkinne at 20:54, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T20:54:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:54, 20 May 2026
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	The department does not require admissions into our programs - any student admitted to Indiana State can declare a major or minor within our department. For information on applying to Indiana State, see the [~~http~~://~~www.indstate~~.edu/admissions/ Office of Undergraduate Admissions].		The department does not require admissions into our programs - any student admitted to Indiana State can declare a major or minor within our department. For information on applying to Indiana State, see the [https://indianastate.edu/admissions Office of Undergraduate Admissions].

	== Should you Major in Computer Science ==		== Should you Major in Computer Science ==

Jkinne: 1 revision imported

2025-08-17T13:22:23Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 17 August 2025
(No difference)

wiki_previous>Jkinne at 15:40, 8 August 2024

2024-08-08T15:40:43Z

New page

The department does not require admissions into our programs - any student admitted to Indiana State can declare a major or minor within our department. For information on applying to Indiana State, see the [http://www.indstate.edu/admissions/ Office of Undergraduate Admissions].

== Should you Major in Computer Science ==
If you are beginning your college career or considering changing careers, you may not be certain whether Computer Science is right for you. Here are some links to pages to look at to try to get a better idea.

* [http://computingcareers.acm.org/ Computing Careers, ACM]
* [http://www.princeton.edu/majorchoices/departments/computer-science/ Why Major in Computer Science, Princeton]
* [http://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/04/16/why-computer-science-is-awesome/ Why Computer Science is Awesome, Stanford]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science Computer Science, Wikipedia]
* [http://code.org/ Code.org]
* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gySkItxiJn_vwb8HIIKNXqen184mRtzDX12cux0ZgZk/pub Job Statistics on Computer Science]
* Search google, bing, etc. for "why major in computer science", or "should I major in compute science"
* Talk to someone with a similar background to you that has majored in computer science. If you are in high school, ask a councilor if they can put in touch who someone who came from your high school recently and majored in computer science.

If you come to ISU, the CS major starts with either ECT 130 or the first programming course, CS 151 Introduction to Programming. Most people have a pretty good idea whether Computer Science is right for them after taking CS 151. Some students still are not sure, and are only certain after taking the next course in the CS major, CS 201 Programming Structures.

== Advice ==
'''3 types of universities''' - large public research university (e.g., IU, Purdue), small private college/university (e.g., Butler, RHIT, Depauw), regional medium size state university (e.g., ISU, Ball State). They all have strengths and weaknesses. You should visit all 3 types when considering where to attend. You should try to choose where you will have the greatest chance of thriving.

'''Working while at university''' - 10 hours per week is good, 30 hours per week is too much for most people. If you don't have enough time for your courses because of your job and the rest of your life, you won't be as prepared as you should be to apply for jobs when you graduate.

'''The most important thing''' - when interviewing for jobs in CS, in general the most important thing is what you know and what you can do. There is no way to fake that. If a good programmer is interviewing you, they will figure out what you can do. It works out best for you if you are really interested in the challenge of programming and during your courses patiently spend endless hours figuring things out. (Note - it does also matter whether you act professionally - in your courses, in your job, during the interview process, etc. Keep in mind that every teacher you have and every supervisor you have is potentially someone you will ask to give a letter of reference for you at some point.)

'''Your major''' - have more than one in mind when you start university. Make sure you take the "first course in the major" for at least two majors, so that you won't be behind if you need to switch. For CS, it's tough to know if you really want to do it until you've done your first challenging programming course.

'''The most important thing''' - whatever major you end up in, the courses in the major are the most important thing you do at university. If you are a CS major at ISU, then CS 151, 201, 202, 303 are the most important thing when you are taking them. It's better to get A's in your major and C's in everything else than to get B's in everything. (At least for CS, it is; of course it's better to just get A's in everything, but not everyone can do that.)