alternate offers at UW

[y4y]

hey guys i'm applying at UW and wondering what and how many course i should apply for there.

i am planning to apply for comp sci and computer engineering.

what are the alternate offers for compsci and computer engineering if any?

thanks guys.

also does UofT do alternate offers?

[Dan]

Most universities will give alternative offers if they have a some what related program with low enrollment. However the question you should ask your self is would you rather take an alternative offer at Waterloo or the program you want at a different university.

I would not nessary count on getting an alternative offer and suggest you apply to multiple universities for the same program as to keep your options open in case you don't get into the university you want.

[y4y]

Dan @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:42 am wrote:

Most universities will give alternative offers if they have a some what related program with low enrollment. However the question you should ask your self is would you rather take an alternative offer at Waterloo or the program you want at a different university.

I would not nessary count on getting an alternative offer and suggest you apply to multiple universities for the same program as to keep your options open in case you don't get into the university you want.

wow thanks for the quick reply.
I understand what you are saying all I want to know is the specific alternate offers.
I am actual fine with either computer science or computer engineering but had trouble choosing. I love programming but enjoy circuitry as well, I am leaning toward computer science because I am more of a programmer and my chemistry mark is horrible.

I was just wondering if by applying to engineering I might get an alternate to computer science or vice versa. I have 3 free applications and want to use them efficiently.

[Tony]

If there's an alternative offer, it would most likely be from the same faculty that you've applied to.

[busterkomo]

On the Software Engineering AIF you can indicate an interest in CS as an alternate choice. I'm not sure about Computer Engineering, though.

[Tony]

UWaterloo's Software Engineering is part of the faculty of Mathematics (also in faculty of Engineering).

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:14 pm wrote:

UWaterloo's Software Engineering is part of the faculty of Mathematics (also in faculty of Engineering).

I always thought that it was completely in the Engineering department and hence less pushing on the math component.

[Tony]

They might have their own math (I'm not that familiar with details), but there are plenty of Software Engineers in my CS classes.

[ProgrammingFun]

BTW, do you know, by any chance, whether the BBA/BCS double major offers coop?

[Tony]

no idea. But you could always take some terms off anyway, even if the school doesn't like it.

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:19 pm wrote:

no idea. But you could always take some terms off anyway, even if the school doesn't like it.

But I feel that COOP directly from a Uni would be better for experience...I'm currently debating between that double major and just regular CS COOP.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but Computer Science focuses on actual coding and stuff and Software Engineering is the theory and concepts?

Thanks.

[Tony]

ProgrammingFun @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:58 pm wrote:

But I feel that COOP directly from a Uni would be better for experience...

In the first couple of years, co-op is quite beneficial. It's a competitive advantage over students not in co-op.

In later years, if you are good (yeah, everyone here is top of their high school class... once we all end up in the same UW class, it's another matter), then co-op actually gets in the way. It comes down to them treating you in "it's better for University if you are forced to take this terrible job _now_" way. (Yes, employers lie to take advantage of students.) In the first year, you are just happy to have any job. In your last year, when University tells you to drop an offer from Google because their deadlines don't line up by a couple of days (true story) is... less than ideal.

ProgrammingFun @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:58 pm wrote:

And correct me if I'm wrong, but Computer Science focuses on actual coding and stuff and Software Engineering is the theory and concepts?

The other way around would be a closer approximation. CS is about theory, analysis, getting dirty inside the OS internals, and developing new algorithms. SE uses those algorithms to put together software products. There's extra emphasis on the process. Then again, there's a lot of overlap. So who knows.

Neither program will teach you anything about coding though. Unless you take a class with Peter Buhr.

[ProgrammingFun]

Thanks for this info...

[quote="Tony @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:23 pm"]...when University tells you to drop an offer from Google because their deadlines don't line up by a couple of days (true story) is... less than ideal.
Would it be even remotely possible to re-apply to Google when you finish or tell them that you would love to join later?

Tony @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:23 pm wrote:

The other way around would be a closer approximation. CS is about theory, analysis, getting dirty inside the OS internals, and developing new algorithms. SE uses those algorithms to put together software products. There's extra emphasis on the process. Then again, there's a lot of overlap. So who knows.

So would these essentially be the same when applying to jobs? Which one would you recommend to someone interested in a career/degree in computers (out of these two)? Is there a completely different program for hardware?

[Tony]

ProgrammingFun @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:35 pm wrote:

Would it be even remotely possible to re-apply to Google when you finish or tell them that you would love to join later?

Certainly. I got kicked out of co-op for that. A lot of CS students used to just drop co-op, so the University has changed their policies (after a couple of terms you can't leave, and have to continue paying fees).

ProgrammingFun @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:35 pm wrote:

So would these essentially be the same when applying to jobs? Which one would you recommend to someone interested in a career/degree in computers (out of these two)? Is there a completely different program for hardware?

For the most part, they are the same when it comes to jobs. My best advice is for you to look at the actual course schedules and see what you think you'll like best (I didn't really know until maybe 2 years in). Keep in mind that CS is more flexible in many ways.

[ProgrammingFun]

Tony @ Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:48 pm wrote:

Certainly. I got kicked out of co-op for that. A lot of CS students used to just drop co-op, so the University has changed their policies (after a couple of terms you can't leave, and have to continue paying fees).

You got kicked for telling them that you would apply later? Why?