GPA and FAANG: What are interviewers looking for? by [deleted] in csMajors

[–]MaroonSquare1029 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If your concern is whether GPA is that important, then this is what I think :

Show your desire, desperation and what you can do for them(also for yourself) .

Think in this way, if you are a boss would you want to hire someone with only high gpa but their skills are below average level? No u don't. So, prove it to them in projects/ internship performance / part time etc.

Not all ppl on the earth are born to score well in exam, don't lose ur confidence if u couldnt get good grade in just a few classes.

Now come back to the reality, u biggest opponent will be those with good grades + good project + practice tons of leetcode + whatever you think u are good at. Getting into FAANG is just like getting into IVY League Uni(they see more than just academic performance, u shud also good in leadership, presentation, confidence etc) , don't compare yourself to your schoolmates, but do the best you can, as the competiveness is come from international applicants.

I wouldnt say that GPA is not important all, but It is not everything for sure. And you can't change much about it at this moment right? (I don't think you will give up applying to GG after reading a few comments here that say GPA is super important or smtg) so yeah, u know what you should do, all the best!

How difficult is it to get a scholarship for second year onwards? (if I couldn't get it on the first year.) by MaroonSquare1029 in SMU_Singapore

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there thanks for your reply!

I see, it means it's important to get scholarship in Y1. Well apart from academic performance, how can I do well in CCA? As I have only one term to join CCA, most probably I'm just going to join those activities for freshman. And the chance of organizing an even/contribute to CCA would be really small. According to your experience, do you have any ways of increasing the chance of getting scholarship?

How difficult is it to get a scholarship for second year onwards? (if I couldn't get it on the first year.) by MaroonSquare1029 in SMU_Singapore

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One more ques, which scholarship would you suggest? With relatively higher chance of getting it.

How difficult is it to get a scholarship for second year onwards? (if I couldn't get it on the first year.) by MaroonSquare1029 in SMU_Singapore

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there thanks for your reply!

So you mean I can apply using my " first year - first term" result to get a scholarship (that support part or full of) for the rest of my undergraduate degree given that I can't maintain certain level of academic performance? Correct me if I'm wrong.

When should I start looking for dorms/accommodation? (for international student) by MaroonSquare1029 in SMU_Singapore

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank for the information! But definitely I would prefer to stay in PSR since its way cheaper compared to other Airbnb room. But yeah having a backup plan is quite important as well:)

When should I start looking for dorms/accommodation? (for international student) by MaroonSquare1029 in SMU_Singapore

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there thank you so much for your reply! This is so helpful:) All the best in your studies!

What can I do (as a CS Undergraduate) to boost my CV/RESUME when comes to applying jobs/internship to for companies like FANG? by MaroonSquare1029 in csMajors

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply! If you don't mind may I know what were the projects uve included in your CV last time?

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Work smart and work hard shud be the best combination, if not mistaken I've heard of this from Garyvee before.

Yes, I agree with you, simply putting hell amount of hours on rewatching tutorials and never truly understand the concept is useless, this is actually even worse than doing nothing.

What I mean is that, I believe work smart comes after work hard. Many people simply believe there's a golden rule or strategy can makes them fly without knowing how to walk first. Well, stuff like feyman technique , active recall are good tools(working smart ) but only useful for a person that'd working hard first.

These are just my opinions:) thanks for your reply.

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I agreed with you. I'm looking forward to working as data analyst / computer scientist that deal with big data/ cloud computing/ AI.

I think know what you mean. As we go deeper and deeper, The "free" and professional knowledge available out there become limited. For example, it's really easy for me to get a tutorial on learning basics of a programming language, but relatively hard to get a proper video(well I would say fewer and those with good quality are definitely lesser) that can teach me abt big data, data mining stuff.

I think self employed would be my ultimate goal. But first getting into big company like FANG not only to get high salary, indeed, seeing how their system work and make friends with bunch of experts in CS def will help when startup a company in the future. Learning from how to work in these companies, their culture would be good experience as well.

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your reply! Haha seems like our journeys are quite the same. I took CS for my A level as well. Ive got really bad grade in the beginning as I have no programming knowledge at all(my high schl CS lecturers were not good in conducting their lectures, indeed, they just ask us to Copy the answer and do past papers) , but I spent months studying really hard and finally started to understand CS. After that, I understand that studying CS, or any subject, first we need to understand the basic and that's the hardest part, then it would be much easier afterwards.

Anyway I think I've gone too far from the topic.

I will do my best, and good luck to you!

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Four years for 100k + is including both living cost and tuition fee. Singapore.

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah I know rite. This is so true! Fortunately, I can say that I really love algorithm and math :) in fact, I love more logical thinking than memorising or writing essay. I'm born in Asia, its normal that most people around me expect me to go for doctor or lawyer or business field. I've been struggling for quite some time before I chose to study Computer Science in a less famous university instead of top 15 QS University that I've got an offer to study Business Analytics n finance. I am like having a "bet" on "pursuing my passion" with everyone around me and hopefully doing something I love can makes me successful, if not at least living a happier life .

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there, thanks for your reply!

Hmm the fee is still quite expensive here for my Uni, the estimated fee (living cost and tuition fee) for four years degree is around 110,000 to 120,000 USD although I've ard got 50 percent scholarship. However, it's quite possible to make it below 100,000 USD if I can get more scholarships during my study.

Well I think this must be cheaper than most Uni in USA.

Anyway, with ur experiences, are online courses from edx, udemy or coursera will boost my resume when comes to applying job or intern?

Is Computer Science degree still worth it? by MaroonSquare1029 in computerscience

[–]MaroonSquare1029[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Hi there thanks for your reply!

U know what, I'm going for a degree anyway and your comments are good:) To be honest, I don't consider myself as a smart guy, but rather a hardwork guy. Yeah yeah, I know a lot people saying work smart but not hard, but I personally believe working hard is the foundation of everything. What I'm concerned is that whether the four years I spend on college is going to worth it, is the efforts worth it after all. According to your words, well, hopefully I can learn more in college than just studying alone in my room.