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You don't need to go to university to study. In fact, if you're actually motivated to learn, it's almost as likely to get in the way. There are certainly some p

You don't need to go to university to study. In fact, if you're actually motivated to learn, it's almost as likely to get in the way. There are certainly some potentially good reasons for going to university, but if you don't have your goals firmly aligned with such reasons, you'll just waste your time and money. So--what are your goals? And how do loans and a BS degree program get you to them?

warfangle 17y ago
My goals? To eventually get into more AI / statistics / datamining (currently I do primarily UI development) / graph analysis. I've tried to teach myself the math involved, but I've come to the conclusion that to really learn it I'll need courses in it. It's mainly the math, I think, that I'll have "trouble" (actually have to study) with - not the programming. Without loans, I'd have to work full time to support myself. This would cause my performance at school to suffer, unless I took a barista/service type job. Which I'm not sure I could support myself with (to be honest, I don't know how the baristas here in NYC do support themselves with it). I've been out of the service industry since my first go-around at college, and have no desire to return whatsoever. With loans, I'll be able to concentrate fully on the work involved, and perhaps have time left over to build a few cool things that I don't have time for now. A BS degree program will get me the background in maths (Bayesian theory, calculus, linear algebra, statistics) and advanced computer science (ANNs, GAs, compiler design) that will get me to the place I really want to be: advanced/next-gen datamining and knowledge systems. I'd really like to be working on how to analyze how people connect and predict trends based upon it. (Yes, I understand that many privacy people, including myself, have issues with such a thing. It's something I'm fascinated with, but have moral qualms about implementing. Also, lack of experience/know-how.)
- camccann 17y ago
  It's mainly the math, I think, that I'll have "trouble" (actually have to study) with - not the programming. Have you considered finding a study partner for learning the math? Or a tutor--if you live near a university, you could probably find a math major that could use some spare cash. I'd really like to be working on how to analyze how people connect and predict trends based upon it. Working where? At an existing company? There's not too many options there, so you'd want to plan toward landing a relevant job (whatever that might take--and a degree alone isn't worth all that much; professional networking is). At a start-up? In that case, debt is probably the last thing you want.

warfangle 17y ago

My goals? To eventually get into more AI / statistics / datamining (currently I do primarily UI development) / graph analysis. I've tried to teach myself the math involved, but I've come to the conclusion that to really learn it I'll need courses in it. It's mainly the math, I think, that I'll have "trouble" (actually have to study) with - not the programming. Without loans, I'd have to work full time to support myself. This would cause my performance at school to suffer, unless I took a barista/service type job. Which I'm not sure I could support myself with (to be honest, I don't know how the baristas here in NYC do support themselves with it). I've been out of the service industry since my first go-around at college, and have no desire to return whatsoever. With loans, I'll be able to concentrate fully on the work involved, and perhaps have time left over to build a few cool things that I don't have time for now. A BS degree program will get me the background in maths (Bayesian theory, calculus, linear algebra, statistics) and advanced computer science (ANNs, GAs, compiler design) that will get me to the place I really want to be: advanced/next-gen datamining and knowledge systems. I'd really like to be working on how to analyze how people connect and predict trends based upon it. (Yes, I understand that many privacy people, including myself, have issues with such a thing. It's something I'm fascinated with, but have moral qualms about implementing. Also, lack of experience/know-how.)

camccann 17y ago
It's mainly the math, I think, that I'll have "trouble" (actually have to study) with - not the programming. Have you considered finding a study partner for learning the math? Or a tutor--if you live near a university, you could probably find a math major that could use some spare cash. I'd really like to be working on how to analyze how people connect and predict trends based upon it. Working where? At an existing company? There's not too many options there, so you'd want to plan toward landing a relevant job (whatever that might take--and a degree alone isn't worth all that much; professional networking is). At a start-up? In that case, debt is probably the last thing you want.