Ziqian Liu, an accomplished student who graduated from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in 2018 and University of Waterloo in 2023, has been accepted into Ph.D. programs in Computer Science at
(MIT), , , and Ìý(±«°ä³¢´¡) . Well done!
These prestigious programs have offered him not only a full ride scholarship but also a generous yearly fellowship stipend of over USD 50k.
During a recent visit to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Ziqian offered tips and tricks for aspiring students interested in pursuing computer programs in university.
Here’re the key takeaways from the conversation:
- Waterloo and UofT both have top computer programs in the world. To gain admission to these programs, a minimum average of 98% or 99% in 4U courses is required. Approximately 25% of the students enrolled are international.
- Waterloo computer programs are renowned for co-op opportunities with tech giants like Google, Amazon, and FANG, allowing students to earn up to 4 co-op credits. Moreover, the extensive network of Waterloo alumni working in Silicon Valley provides excellent job referral prospects.
- Transitioning from high school to university is a significant shift. The pace is much faster – the workload of a single week in university may be equivalent to a month and a half in high school. There could be 130 deadlines in 100 days. Falling behind can be challenging to recover from.
- The first year is often the most demanding, so preparation is key. Apart from the computer courses at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», there are many free online resources such as Leetcode and Coursera that can help you enhance coding skills.
- Mental and physical preparedness are crucial as computer programs are highly challenging. Finding a balance and avoiding overwhelm is essential.Planning plays a vital role. Before selecting courses, consulting ratings for classes and professors can help determine if they align with your goals and learning style.
- Managing the pace of study is equally important. Allocate more time for difficult courses and avoid overloading yourself. Always have a backup plan in case of lower performance.
- Strong communication skills are highly valuable. Articulating your ideas clearly enables better understanding and engagement with others.
