u/Dry-Exercise1698

Hi everyone, I’m a first-year undergrad majoring in Information Systems, aiming for a PhD in Computational Social Science. I'm currently deciding between three majors and would love some candid advice from you.

Option A: Information Systems (under the College of Business)

The Profile: I can maintain a very high GPA and will have abundant free time to work as RA to build a strong publication record. I will take simple data-focused courses like Python, Machine Learning for Business, Big Data, and Regression Analysis.

The Concern: It's a business degree, not a STEM degree. I won't take low-level courses like Computer Architecture or math.

Option B: Computer Science

The Profile: A highly rigorous, traditional STEM degree. No one will question my technical foundation.

The Concern: The math and low-level systems courses will consume all my time. I risk getting a much lower GPA and will have almost zero time or energy left for undergraduate research.

Option C: Data Science (under the College of Computing)

The Profile: It offers a much heavier focus on math and statistics compared to IS, which seems highly relevant for CSS methodologies. It also strategically avoids the low-level CS systems courses that I likely won't need for social science research.

The Concern: There is a common stigma that a DS undergraduate degree is considered less rigorous to a traditional CS degree. I worry the admission committee might view it as a watered-down version of CS.

How does the admission committee view an undergraduate degree in IS/DS/CS?

If I ultimately decide not to pursue a PhD (since the time commitment is daunting), which of these options (IS, CS, DS) provides the strongest safety net and most versatile career path in the industry?

Finally, am I missing a better Option D?

Thank you for your insights!

TL;DR: Introverted first-year undergrad deciding between staying in Information Systems (Data focus, high GPA, but despise the business school networking vibe) or transferring to Computer Science (Rigorous, highly respected, but math/low-level systems might tank my GPA). Consider: PhD in Computational Social Science.

Hi everyone, I’m a first-year undergrad, and I’m currently at a crossroads between staying in my current major (Information Systems - under the College of Business) or transferring to Computer Science. One path I am seriously considering is pursuing a PhD in Computational Social Science (CSS). However, this is just an option I'm exploring, and I haven't fully committed to the PhD route yet.

Here is a breakdown of my dilemma:

Staying in Information Systems:

1. The Plan: Specialize in the Data Informatics or Business Intelligence, taking courses like Big Data, Machine Learning for Business, Python, SAS, and Regression Analysis.

2. What I like: The courses focus on applying technology and data to real-world problems, which perfectly aligns with CSS research. It leaves me enough time to maintain a high GPA and do undergraduate research.

3. My concerns: I absolutely despise the Business vibe (excessive group projects, mandatory presentations, and forced networking). I am extremely introverted and past group projects have literally made me cry from the overwhelming stress. I'm naturally terrible at networking, and I don't come from a family that can hand me any business connections or resources. On top of that, I'm worried about the stigma that IS is a "watered-down CS," and fear that PhD admission committees might look down on a business degree compared to a STEM degree.

Transferring to Computer Science:

1. The Plan: Take the rigorous CS route (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Data Structures, Algorithms).

2. What I like: It’s a highly respected degree that escapes the business school environment. It feels like a safer backup if I decide not to do a PhD, as the CS job market (even when saturated) generally pays better than typical IS roles.

3. My concerns: The heavy and low-level hardware/systems courses (which seem irrelevant to social science research and future job) are extremely difficult for me. I fear that struggling with these courses will tank my GPA, completely ruining my chances for a top PhD program.

I'm feeling extremely conflicted right now and really don't know which path to choose. I also want to know if my understanding of the reality of both majors (regarding PhD admissions, the job market, and the stigma) is accurate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

TL;DR: Introverted first-year undergrad deciding between staying in Information Systems (Data focus, high GPA, but despise the business school networking vibe) or transferring to Computer Science (Rigorous, highly respected, but math/low-level systems might tank my GPA). Consider: PhD in Computational Social Science.

Hi everyone, I’m a first-year undergrad, and I’m currently at a crossroads between staying in my current major (Information Systems - under the College of Business) or transferring to Computer Science. One path I am seriously considering is pursuing a PhD in Computational Social Science (CSS). However, this is just an option I'm exploring, and I haven't fully committed to the PhD route yet.

Here is a breakdown of my dilemma:

Staying in Information Systems (IS):

1. The Plan: Specialize in the Data Informatics or Business Intelligence, taking courses like Big Data, Machine Learning for Business, Python, SAS, and Regression Analysis.

2. What I like: The courses focus on applying technology and data to real-world problems, which perfectly aligns with CSS research. It leaves me enough time to maintain a high GPA and do undergraduate research.

3. My concerns: I absolutely despise the Business vibe (excessive group projects, mandatory presentations, and forced networking). I am extremely introverted and past group projects have literally made me cry from the overwhelming stress. I'm naturally terrible at networking, and I don't come from a family that can hand me any business connections or resources. On top of that, I'm worried about the stigma that IS is a "watered-down CS," and fear that PhD admission committees might look down on a business degree compared to a STEM degree.

Transferring to Computer Science (CS):

1. The Plan: Take the rigorous CS route (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Data Structures, Algorithms).

2. What I like: It’s a highly respected degree that escapes the business school environment. It feels like a safer backup if I decide not to do a PhD, as the CS job market (even when saturated) generally pays better than typical IS roles.

3. My concerns: The heavy and low-level hardware/systems courses (which seem irrelevant to social science research and future job) are extremely difficult for me. I fear that struggling with these courses will tank my GPA, completely ruining my chances for a top PhD program.

I'm feeling extremely conflicted right now and really don't know which path to choose. I also want to know if my understanding of the reality of both majors (regarding PhD admissions, the job market, and the stigma) is accurate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!