High School Tips to Prepare for Computer Engineering Major

Following are the general preparation ways and means to get in undergrad course:

Advanced Knowledge

The aspirant should increase his/her knowledge base.  He/she should have thorough understanding of mathematics and science. The basics and fundamentals should be clear because the next level of study would require advanced knowledge which can only be gained if base is strong. As you enter college, you will be specializing in your area of interest and would understand the nuances of the subject that you choose so your analytical and logical reasoning must be sound.

Pile on the extra-curricular activities

It can be one of the keys to get into the course and the University of your Choice. Holistic approach is considered i.e. not only grades or scores but also core activities and competitions. Get yourself involved in extra-curricular activities and strike a balance between studies and activities.

Work Experience and Community Service

Work experience -paid or volunteer -can teach students discipline, amenability, responsibility, reliability, and other skills. A summer job/internship during high school is a good way to gain experience and earn money for college as well.

Community Service: Activities like tutoring elementary school children or volunteering in local community work or hospitals help students to gain workplace skills and apply classroom learning to real-world problem solving. It’s a valuable contribution to society and one’s career goal.

Some high-schools offer academic credit for volunteer work through service-learning.

Critical Skills

One should have clarity of thought and should have a long-term career vision. The applicant should be adaptable to the environment, and should possess strategic thinking skills, strong communication skills, self-motivation, imagination and excitement at work. Also, one must have working knowledge of computers i.e. computer literate.

Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are prerequisite for all the colleges and universities to enter undergrad and grad courses in USA so start preparing for these tests from junior year of your high school. Standardized test scores of ACT or SAT are also vital for evaluating an applicant to Computer Engineering Major. IELTS, TOEFL is required for international students and all other aspirants whose native language is not English. The test scores are important in order to get into the best schools. This is a competitive major so have incredibly high average test scores.

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): The SAT measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities. There are two versions of the SAT test. SAT and SAT Subject. Some CSE Schools may ask for score in both the tests.

ACT (American College Testing): The ACT Assessment measures English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning abilities. It is a subject-based test.

TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language): The TOEFL is a computer-based test. The test consists of mostly multiple-choice questions with an essay question that is mandatory to attempt.