redfiretruck

Hey, I was wondering how colleges come into play with programmers...

First off, I am 90% sure I want to get a bachelors and 75% sure I want to get the masters... I'm 100% sure that I want to get my AA or w/e at a community college (I already know where )

Anyway, I was wondering how important it is to get into a GOOD college (like berkeley)... I know that doctors and lawyers are supposed to get into good colleges, but what is it for programmers? Does it have a huge impact what college you go to and does it actually change your opportunities? Alot of things I really don't know, and this community seems to be really helpful and great with newbies and you all seem very experienced so I wanna ask you all ^_^.

As a biggie question, The ONLY degree I've seen for masters/bachelors/AA or anything is always called "Computer Science"... Is that the only one actually offered to your knowledge?

• What importance is it to go into a more prestigous college?
• If so, what college is the most prestigous and in California?
• If i get a masters, will I pretty much instantly be able to get a job? Or is it a job where I need to prove/show I am good programmer first? As in, artists usually have to show artwork... Will I need to show programs I've made etc.?
• Also, just so I can know ^_^, have you gotten a Bachelors/AA or a Masters?
• Is there anything PAST a masters or is it the limit?
• If I am going for a masters and just got out of my Community College with an AA and about to transfer, what is your best suggestion of a good college to go to?

Also remember, I am a homeschooled kid and I'm all ears, if you have stuff to say that I might not know or might want to know then say it . I have more time than you could imagine right now, and I wanna make the best of it so I am more prepared in a year or so .

Jimbo

Going to a prestigious school is up to you, but certainly not required. I received a Bachelors from University of Washington, which is a public school (and for me paying in-state tuition, it saved a bunch of money). They offered Computer Science, which focused on software related principles (though some basic hardware knowledge was required), and Computer Engineering, which mixed in more hardware stuff. Other schools' curricula will vary.

After a Masters degree, you can go on to get a PhD. My school didn't have a full-time Master's program, just Bachelors and PhD (there was a part-time MS program, but was targeted for people currently in industry).

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redfiretruck

Ahh, I'm going to a community college at first and then afterwards I'm going to go to PROBABLY one of the Cal States. I heard Cal State LA is actually one of the "prestigious" colleges, but I don't know if that is real or not . I looked at berkeley fees and it is $10,000 PER SEMESTER! ITT Tech was like half that or something, but still jeez... So I'm probably going to a Cal State of some sort, and hopefully it offers enough education for me .

Indigno

I think that computer science isn't old enough for there to be any real "ivy leagues of programming" yet. However, if you were to instead get a degree as an Electrical Engineer, as I'm doing, then going into the programming field, then there are prestigious engineering colleges around.

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