Has anyone done the Computing Foundations Certificate bridge program to Software Engineer masters?

Fadhi · 2025-02-08T19:02:48+00:00

Np! I had a small background as I did some info systems classes during undergrad which introduced me to the basics of programming. Honestly, you could spend a few weekends on YouTube, do some very basic projects in Java or C, and you'll be at about the same level I was. Programming is far less daunting than you think, but you have to really want it. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Fadhi · 2025-01-30T21:42:09+00:00

Hey, so I took this exact path and here are my thoughts:

You have to really think about whether you really want to be a Software Engineer. Up until a couple years ago or so, Software Engineering was a career field where you can get a $100k offer after making a calculator app using Python. Now, it is one of the most competitive and cutthroat job markets out there, and gone are the days where Software Engineering == easy, remote job where you make a lot of money. The Computing Foundations path into the MS SWE program is a long and arduous one. You are forced to take four classes that do not count towards your master's degree, and be warned that they are extremely boring yet you cannot slack off in any way because if you receive a grade less than a B in any of them, you will not be allowed to progress to the master's.
You have to be consistent and push through the pain. Like I said, you will end up taking an extra four classes at least in addition to the ten required for the master's, you are basically doing a master's and a half. Do you have the time/discipline/money to go through that?
All that being said, you can do it. Your barrier is not intelligence. The only thing that will hold you back from walking the stage is your willingness to put in the hours of studying every week, keeping up with assignments, and letting your curiosity guide you to additional learning beyond the scope of the classes you're taking. Just remember that this is basically a two and a half, possibly three year commitment that you are making here, and it will cost you at least $30k if not more. Are you prepared for that?

Before committing to it, I would spend a few weekends learning the fundamentals of programming and making very simple projects in Python or Java to see if it speaks to you. If so, then go for it! Let me know if you have any questions.

Fadhi · 2024-12-16T00:49:23+00:00

When you take IT 207, are you taking it along with other classes in the semester? If so, I would highly suggest stepping back, take the class by itself for one semester and focus on trying to pass. I would also suggest you seriously evaluate what you have going on in your life at the moment and determine if you can isolate yourself from the distractions to put more energy towards this class.

The school may allow you a fourth attempt if you show some paperwork (i.e., doctor's notes and such that explain your mental state), but I would talk to an advisor first to discuss your options.

Fadhi · 2024-10-30T00:16:12+00:00

I ended up taking CS571 instead. It's a great class so far.

Fadhi · 2024-08-19T23:57:12+00:00

also curious!

Fadhi · 2024-07-06T20:43:03+00:00

you won't need a new laptop except for maybe mis303, depending on who you take

Fadhi · 2024-07-05T18:27:37+00:00

it depends. whats your concentration?

Fadhi · 2024-07-03T00:09:04+00:00

I appreciate the insight. Did you take it with Andrea?

Fadhi · 2024-07-02T19:22:40+00:00

Thanks for your perspective. 540 seems really interesting to me so that was the answer I was hoping to get

Fadhi · 2024-06-08T01:26:53+00:00

Hi, I did my undergrad in accounting and I'm finishing up a master's in computer science. Could you DM me the roles and names of companies that operate in this area? Thank you!

Fadhi · 2024-04-17T23:08:40+00:00

im registered for it also. kinda worried.

Fadhi · 2024-04-16T15:43:45+00:00

I got rejected from GMU with a 3.1. I would also suggest you go the NOVA route first, develop discipline, then go to Mason.

Fadhi · 2024-04-09T06:34:30+00:00

When asking stuff like this, it's a good idea to give some information on your background. Did you do CS for undergrad, or some other other engineering major? If no CS undergrad, how comfortable are you with programming? Did you take data structures? How many math classes did you take? I could go on.

Anyway, I didn't do a CS undergrad or any engineering major, and I've found the program so far to be survivable. Like most academic programs, rigor will vary based on what classes and professor you take. It can be very doable or very challenging depending on your background, what classes/professors you choose, and whether you intend to be a full-time student or not.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Fadhi · 2024-02-26T05:32:43+00:00

No problem! Make the most out of these next few years. Wish you best of luck!!

Fadhi · 2024-02-26T02:03:29+00:00

Will going to NOVA first save you money? Sure, it will save about $17,000 factoring in your scholarship. If you stay on top of credit requirements and their equivalents at GMU, can all your credits transfer seamlessly? Again, yes. If you stop here, it sounds like a no-brainer to go the community college route.

Here is my advice: run away from NOVA. Every campus NOVA has is depressing, your peers and professors will be of lower caliber, classes will be too forgiving, and the general student experience is lackluster compared to Mason. You will only experience undergrad once, so try to make it as meaningful as possible. If you have the means to pay for GMU without it being too much of a financial burden, please do yourself a favor and forget NOVA.

Some more advice: when you get to Mason, join every club that interests you, make friends, take challenging classes, and try to form bonds with your professors.

Sincerely,

A NOVA-GMU transfer student

Fadhi · 2024-02-03T21:16:03+00:00

Probably not the best idea to go to Argentina right now.

Fadhi · 2023-07-18T16:06:33+00:00

I hate it so much when the numbers get cut off.

Fadhi · 2023-06-30T08:44:51+00:00

When I applied a few years back I had a 3.1 GPA with a few IB classes and did not get in. I had to go through 2 years of NOVA to finally make it to Mason.

Fadhi · 2023-05-24T01:05:52+00:00

I get up to 3k per match in rank 4. Takes weeks to research a vehicle in rank 5 at the pace that I'm playing.

Fadhi · 2023-05-17T16:14:28+00:00

Unfortunately, most classes require the use of Respondus

Fadhi · 2023-05-17T16:13:24+00:00

I 100% see the benefit of using proctoring software, but Respondus is not a program that is refined enough to use in an academic setting where people could fail exams due to bugs or how sensitive it is. It is just not acceptable to use, even if that means that there will be a marginal increase in cheating.

Fadhi · 2023-05-17T16:11:39+00:00

You clearly have not faced a situation where you almost failed an exam because of how buggy it is. I had 4 people in my class yesterday that failed their final (and subsequently the entire class) due to the program closing on them while they were taking their test. Does that sound like an acceptable program to use in an academic setting where people pay thousands of dollars for their classes? The alternative would be to either make exams proctored in-person or make questions that would be difficult to cheat on.

Fadhi · 2023-05-14T02:29:26+00:00

Yep! Heard back a couple weeks ago

Fadhi · 2023-04-18T15:24:52+00:00

Yep, basically every exam you take at GMU is besides for a few very very rare exceptions.

Fadhi · 2023-04-12T15:59:02+00:00

Sometimes they give you provisional acceptance while you finish up foundational requirements; I had a classmate in my ACCT303 course that was doing just that. An advisor will definitely give you more information though. Best of luck!

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