No, and I didn't even do anything in my field of study. I feel like I've done well despite the lack of paper, but as the years have worn on, my reasons for dropping out sound less and less credible and more and more like excuses. It's definitely a hindrance in interviews.
You may also want to consider the possibility of transferring to another school rather than dropping out.
I was planning to read a lot of source code, write a lot of code/contribute to open source, and study formal CS on my own. I think after 3-4 years I would have as much programming and formal knowledge as if I had stayed in college, and maybe more. I want to do this and would find it fun.
I'm wondering if the lack of a degree would hold me back significantly. That seems to be my parent's main worry.
Having a degree from an Ivy school will help you as compared to an ordinary degree. I went to a middle of the road state school and I have seen first hand that many "people who matter" are materially predisposed towards favoring those with degrees from fancy schools. Some could argue it's rational. I'm talking about employers, investors, and even in regards to dating.
If you leave school you are likely to find work without too much trouble, but you'll be somewhat worse off than a guy with a degree from a middle of the road school. Outside of silicon valley a college dropout may face a greater headwind than inside silicon valley.
If you can become the next Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates, it won't count against you at all. Notice that they both left school for a very good specific opportunity.
The best thing about graduating from a great school is the relationships you'll build with other smart guys. I'm not sure why, but most lifelong friendships seem to be formed in school. Learning alongside those smart guys is also highly motivating.
Finally - if you leave school to get away from your parents pressure, you're letting their actions control your life. You are an adult now. Take charge. Don't let rebelliousness push you around. Choose carefully, realizing that a degree from a top school is a good opportunity.
Thanks for the advice. I'm not someone who's been programming for years.
I just took multivariable calc and intro CS (scheme) this semester. I'm wondering whether self-teaching is realistic, and whether employers consider self-taught programmers.
I can get access to books on CS/MIT online courses/Stanford online courses and study CS. And there's a lot of source code I can read and learn from. Is this do-able?
Doable ? sure, but not relevant.
Can YOU do it ? that's a question only you can answer.
Other than that, programming is a craftsmanship. Like any other one, it might take a few years to master it.
A couple of courses in Uni is definitely NOT what makes you a programmer (or developer or an engineer or whatever)...
This is kind of a fear related to financial aid. It's mostly irrational, but not completely so. And the little part that's not irrational has been bothering me a lot.
Thanks for the advice about the psychological help. I'll think about talking to a therapist. Apart from that, how serious would dropping out be? Just from an economical/career perspective..
Here's the thing, most people out of college can't code in a way that is meaningful for entry level at a tech firm. You seem to have the aptitude to get there on your own, but lack the experience / knowledge-base to convince most companies that you are worth the 3-6 months that are required to teach you what you need to know. After all, they can always grab someone from the graduating class of a top school, that has your smarts and more formal education.
I can't tell you how many MS candidate resumes I've read (CS), where they've done tons of projects, but there code sucks. That doesn't mean they aren't really smart and won't be great in a few years, but not now. 400 line functions (poor OOP), poor commenting, inconsistent naming conventions, poor memory allocation...the list goes on.
Figure out your issues and work on them. I understand the debt concern, but your expected value of success and future earnings will be severely limited. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
I don't expect to get a job after dropping out. My parents will let me live with them at least. So I have a good 3-4 years.
I was planning to read a lot of source code, write a lot of code/contribute to open source, and study formal CS on my own. I think after 3-4 years I would have as much programming and formal knowledge as if I had stayed in college, and maybe more.
I'm wondering if the lack of a degree would hold me back significantly.
It doesn't. And remember, you can always go back and finish. Maybe not at the same place, but you can finish somewhere. I would suggest ending the semester though, not dropping out in the middle. You get credit for the current semester this way and you won't have to pay for it again hopefully.
Based on what you are saying, i think you should still speak to a therapist- they can help you think through problems you have. First you said other issues, now financial.
You obviously have a lot happening in your head- you need to be able to sort it out and think clearly- this is what therapists are for. I'm serious- this is the move to take. Talk to someone- they won't solve your problem but they will help you talk through it and oftentimes that is what you need to figure it out yourself
Since you dropped out your senior year, did you already have significant internship experience and contacts by then? Did that help you succeed?