u/Kitchen_Scheme_5093

Hey everyone,

I have to take my college placement test soon, and honestly, I'm pretty nervous about it since I don't really know what to expect. I'm just curious about how the whole process actually works.

For anyone who has taken it recently, could you give me some insight on a few things?

• How does it actually look/work? Is it mostly multiple-choice? How many sections are there usually (math, reading, writing)?
• Is there a camera watching you? Is it proctored online where you have to turn on your webcam and screen share, or is it just a lockdown browser? Or do you have to go to a testing center?
• What should I actually study? I know it's supposed to just "place" you, but I want to brush up so I don't accidentally get put in a remedial class I don't need. Any specific math topics or grammar rules I should review?
• What happens if I do badly on it? Do I just get put into a lower-level intro class, or does it actually impact my GPA or admission? Can you retake it if you mess up the first time?

I’d really appreciate any tips, experiences, or advice you guys can share. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I’ve been building my portfolio for a while now, primarily anchored by broad index funds and "Magnificent 7" staples like MSFT, GOOGL, and NVDA. I also have smaller positions in growth names like PLTR and AVGO.

While my tech holdings have done well, I’m looking to deploy some fresh cash this Monday, May 18th, into a single stock that could outperform by year-end. I feel like I'm already "covered" on the big AI and software names, so I'm looking for:

1. A stock with a specific catalyst for the second half of 2026.
2. Something that adds a bit of diversity to a portfolio that is currently very tech-focused.

What is on your watchlist for Monday morning? Are there any specific non-tech or "under-the-radar" growth stocks you think have a clear runway for the next 7 months?

Hey everyone,

I’m new to investing and trying to build a basic understanding of how people pick stocks. I’m not looking for guaranteed picks or “get rich quick” advice — I just want ideas for companies or sectors I should start researching.

I’m starting with a small amount of money and focusing on learning long-term investing properly.

If you were in my position, what types of stocks or companies would you look into first and why?

I'm choosing between two programs and the cost difference is making me lose sleep.

**UC Davis — Data Science (Out of State)**

- $80,000–$88,000/year (they haven't even finalized the number yet, which is a red flag in itself)

- ~$320k–$352k total

- Strong program, Bay Area proximity, good research reputation

**Rutgers — CS (Out of State)**

- ~$56,000/year

- ~$224k total

- Solid CS program, decent recruiting, NJ/NYC job market access

Would genuinely appreciate any perspective, especially from people who've been in a similar spot.

Hey everyone, I'm a senior who has until May 1st to make one of the biggest decisions of my life, and I'm genuinely torn. Would love input from people in tech, current students, or anyone who's been in a similar spot.

The options:

• Rutgers University — B.S. Computer Science (out-of-state)
• UC Davis — B.S. Data Science (out-of-state)

About me & what I care about most: My biggest priority is job and internship outcomes. I've visited both campuses and liked them both, which honestly made this harder.

What I'm going back and forth on:

1. CS vs. Data Science degree — For ML/AI specifically, does the CS degree from Rutgers give me more flexibility and employer credibility, or is the dedicated Data Science program at UC Davis actually an advantage? Would love to hear from people hiring in this space.
2. Geographic job market — Rutgers puts me near NYC, UC Davis puts me near the Bay Area/Sacramento. Both are huge tech hubs, but which actually sets me up better for internships and entry-level roles?
3. Out-of-state cost — I'm paying out-of-state at both, so cost isn't a tiebreaker, but if one school has a noticeably stronger ROI for this career path, that matters.
4. Program reputation — How do recruiters actually view Rutgers CS vs. UC Davis Data Science? Is one brand significantly stronger in the ML/AI world?

TLDR: Rutgers CS vs UC Davis Data Science, out-of-state both, want good career, which do I pick?

Happy to answer any questions. Please be brutally honest — I need real perspectives, not just "follow your heart." Thanks in advance