TESU BACS course selection for OMSCS

[Tomas]

Yes I understand. My question is if it would be better for me to take discrete math and data structures at TESU itself, so I have those courses from an accredited university, to strengthen my application to GaTech's OMSCS. I don't know if GaTech check's the transcripts this thoroughly, but I would not be surprised if they'd deny admission and recommend taking accredited CS prerequisites (again data structures and discrete math seem like the most important ones to me) before retrying.

I can only guess from what they wrote on https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs and elsewhere, and it seems the prerequisites are mostly meant for those who didn't study in CS related undergrad.

[bjcheung77]

When applying, you want to make sure you have most, if not all the requirements. I suggest getting the BACS at TESU along with any extra classes that will hit requirements asked for in future programs you're interested in, these classes can go into the electives option within the degree. If you're not going the double degree route, you've got 30 plus electives you can take.

[davewill]

A lot of this will depend on what the rest of your application looks like. If you've been a working engineer, then I expect that where you take these courses won't matter very much. Similarly if you have a good GPA for the graded courses you do have. However, if you don't have much else to make your application shine, then taking more of your CS courses for grades (assuming you get good grades!) could be helpful.

[warre]

When applying, you want to make sure you have most, if not all the requirements.  I suggest getting the BACS at TESU along with any extra classes that will hit requirements asked for in future programs you're interested in, these classes can go into the electives option within the degree.  If you're not going the double degree route, you've got 30 plus electives you can take.

Yes, understood. I would like to finish the BACS as fast as possible, so preferably within 1 term. I'm mostly concerned with the difficulty of some of the courses, as I can imagine that discrete math and datastructures may be some of the more difficult courses in the program. If I would want to maximally strengthen future applications to other programs it would probably be best to also include calculus for example. But that may be a little bit too much as I'll also be working full-time and trying to get as good grades as possible of course

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A lot of this will depend on what the rest of your application looks like. If you've been a working engineer, then I expect that where you take these courses won't matter very much. Similarly if you have a good GPA for the graded courses you do have. However, if you don't have much else to make your application shine, then taking more of your CS courses for grades (assuming you get good grades!) could be helpful.

Yes this is kind of what I was thinking. Currently my application should be quite balanced. As I said I feel like my current degree is missing some essential CS courses, but I do have 3 years of relevant work experience as a cloud engineer and backend software engineer. I think a decent grade of at least B in datastructures and discrete math might just round out my profile a little more. I see you've taken discrete math at TESU quite a while ago, any insight on the difficulty of the course?

[bjcheung77]

One more thing, you may want to review the WIKI for Finnish institutions here to see if you can get the Metropolia BSIT for an affordable price point (or a similar degree) that can be evaluated as equal to RA 4 years, for entry into the GT program, without having to go the TESU BACS route. You need a similar degree, it doesn't have to be a BACS or BSCS to be precise: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Fi...iversities

[warre]

One more thing, you may want to review the WIKI for Finnish institutions here to see if you can get the Metropolia BSIT for an affordable price point (or a similar degree) that can be evaluated as equal to RA 4 years, for entry into the GT program, without having to go the TESU BACS route.  You need a similar degree, it doesn't have to be a BACS or BSCS to be precise: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Fi...iversities

Oh wow, I will definitely look into that. Thank you for pointing this out! It's a little bit concerning though that the only evaluation agency willing to evaluate finnish credit seems to be ACEI, I remeber GaTech partners with spantran. I really have no clue how to figure out whether GaTech will deem the BSIT on top of my existing degree to count as equivalent to a 4-year US degree.

[bjcheung77]

It doesn't really matter if they do or not, you will have to get an evaluation and see how far that evaluation and your overall application package will get you. GT isn't as rigid as UT-Austin, they're more flexible on the requirements. You can only try your best to make sure you have most, if not all the requirements fulfilled, we've had people with the TESU BSBA CIS get in because they've got a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience, that meets and exceeds the requirements.

[warre]

It doesn't really matter if they do or not, you will have to get an evaluation and see how far that evaluation and your overall application package will get you. GT isn't as rigid as UT-Austin, they're more flexible on the requirements. You can only try your best to make sure you have most, if not all the requirements fulfilled, we've had people with the TESU BSBA CIS get in because they've got a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience, that meets and exceeds the requirements.

I'm sorry if this should be obvious, hopefully you can bear with me here as this is all new to me lol. But would it not be a problem that the credential evaluators accepted by GaTech are denying evaluation of Finnish credits? After all, you have to go through one of these evaluators to determine if your degree is equivalent or not. Also I've looked into Metropolia and I seemingly can't find information about fast-tracking the program. So depending on how many transfer credits they'd accept I might still need an entire year (or even more) to finish that degree. Whereas TESU would be wildly more expensive, but theoretically I should be able to finish the BACS at TESU in 6 months give-or-take.

[davewill]

Since time seems to be the major concern for you, I'd stick with TESU and go ahead and take most courses through alt credit. If you started now, I would think you could graduate in September, which could have you starting at GT next winter.

If you do get turned down by OMSCS, which I don't find likely, then you can ask admissions where you fell short and go back and take some courses for credit, or wait for another year of experience, or whatever will put you over the top.

Meanwhile, you'll have the bachelor's in hand, which will presumably help your career. You might even find an employer who will pay your tuition for the master's.

[Tomas]

Metropolia is a good option for those in EU due to very low price. The final year would likely be less flexible, timewise, than US degrees, eg. don't forget there is a bachelor thesis to be written.
If some evaluators have problems with Finnish credits, there would be no problem with a degree - it is a regionally accredited 4 year degree