What major...
Hello guys,
so recently, I've been accepted to Oxford University for Computer Science (Merton College), but I decided to turn down that offer. The reason being is that I feel that I can get into even better school than Oxford. You may argue that Oxford is a top tier school and I will agree with that, however, it is a top tier school for humanities and arts, not for CS. So I decided to take a gap year and apply to US schools this year (2014 entry) - MIT, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford.
I know that it is really too soon for such discussions, I basically have 3 years in head of my self during which I can change my mind, but I would like to know what options do I have.
Coming from an incredible poor family, I always wanted to have a exceptional salary, however, it never was my priority. I have been told many times that I should pursue a career that I would like, not the one which would get me a job. But the question is, why not both?
I really like mathematics and computer science, I am not sure which one I like the most, but it is a pretty close call. I never really thought about a different path, for example, law or history, because I am not really good at memorizing stuff, compared to logical aspects of mathematics.
Until now, I really wanted to get a PhD and generally, I didn't care about salary or such things, all I wanted was to be in an enthusiastic environment on the world's leading university, researching subject I love. However, that changed over the time. Now, seeing those ridiculous salaries on Wall Street, I started to reconsider my plans and I came to ask here.
So what degree would you recommend me to pursue? I am not quite familiar with US higher education system, only thing I know is that you don't choose major while applying and that you can do double major if you really want to. Also, there is this thing called a minor.
After poking around on this forums, I think that major in Computer Science and minor in Finance wouldn't be a bad idea, tho I am not sure about it. Could it be a way into Wall Street?
I could major in applied maths as well, minor in CS / Finance as well. I am not sure about the Finance or Economics as the major, mainly because I don't know what it is like.
Thoughts?
Any response will be much appreciated, thank you.
Do you know who Peter Millican is?
No, but according to Google it's a professor on Oxford teaching Philosophy. Why do you ask?
Turning down Oxford sounds pretty stupid. Does their CS program really suck? Do they give you any scholarship? As long as the first year costs aren't crazy, I'd take it and then perhaps look to transfer.
Market for CS and STEM grads will grow, while IB might not be that hot by the time you graduate. Go CS\Math, you will always be able to sell your soul for a price just as good if Wall Street is still there in 4 years.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Unless you have an acceptance from one of the other schools you mentioned, I would not turn down Oxford. I hope you have not yet turned in your form.
Anyone knocking this kid and saying take oxford does not have a science background. Warwick is probably a better choice for a CS degree than oxford there's no way you're in a top department as a CS oxford student.
Im shocked you wouldnt have applied to U.S. schools in the first place. Don't just apply to MIT though, all of the ivies (except dartmouth) have respectable CS departments and there are other great tech schools like CMU, Stanford, and even UIUC which look great.
Also you say that you're looking for exceptional salary but why is that necessarily finance? If you see exceptional as 200-500k salary upon seniority then I guess but in this life the smart people look for opportunities where they will excel. I agree that you should probably take the CS/Math undergrad, everyone I know who did it landed on their feet even with "subpar" GPA's.
No, it definitely doesn't suck, but you cannot compare it to a "nerd's paradise", MIT. I would get a 3300 pounds bursary each year, however, it would still be a hell of a lot more expensive than US school.
I know that many people would sell their souls to study on Oxford, I am aware that I have been given an extraordinary opportunity, but I couldn't give it a try in the US this year, mainly because of my English level. It would be impossible for me to score 2200+ on SAT last year and yes, I am aware that everyone who apply to MIT have 2350-2400. But with one year preparation, it should not be that much of a challenge, my only problem atm is vocabulary. And if I managed to impress Oxford's tutors with my MAT score (which is like hundred times harder than SAT maths), personal statement and interview performance, I think that I could have a shot on MIT or Harvard.
Rather wait one year than question my decision for many years.
In my opinion, if your end goal is to land a job in high finance, an oxford degree will serve you well in the UK market. However, if you want to work in the US, I guess MIT/Stanford/Harvard/etc will be a better bet.
To summarize, I don't think a CS degree from Oxford will put you at a disadvantage. You don't need to be in nerd's paradise to get a job in high finance.
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