<p>I'm applying to schools this fall as a Chem E major from a CCC and I'm terrified that the difference between CC and university classes is going to be more than I can handle. I'd just really like to hear how this transition has played out for others, maybe giving me hope that things are going to be okay. If you could include your transfer GPA and your GPA at your current school that'd be pretty neat.</p>
<p>So far my major GPA is a 4.0 and I've taken Calc I & II, Gen Chem I & II, Bio I & II, and Physics I, which I think is pretty solid, but I'm so paranoid about being underprepared that I'm seriously considering applying as Chemistry major or something. I'm not terribly concerned about getting into UCLA or UCB, my greatest fear is just that my impostor syndrome is well founded and that I blew my transfer opportunity by picking something I'm not cut out for.</p>
<p>I’m not a transfer, but I’m a chemE at Berkeley and I know quite a few transfers in my classes. Generally they are not at the top of the chemE classes, but most of them are doing reasonably well, plenty average or above average. </p>
<p>One thing you should know, though, is that chemical engineering classes have very little to do with lower division chemistry, bio, and physics, except for thermodynamics. Chemical engineering research is quite related to chemistry and physics research, but not classes. Most people would say that your performance in lower div classes has very little bearing on how you will do in upper div chemE classes.</p>
<p>There are plenty of people who do well in both lower and upper divs, but I would attribute that to pure intelligence and/or willingness to work hard, not because the classes are related. In other words, I would say that your preparation doesn’t really matter, so don’t worry about it too much.</p>
<p>I don’t know what impostor syndrome is, but I go to OSU and there are plenty of transferees, myself included, from Columbus State Community College, in the sciences and engineering. We are among the top students, grade-wise, I’d say (that’s purely based on anecdotal evidence). CSCC is a bit unique among CC’s in how much math they teach. You can take not just the whole calc sequence, but also linear algebra, discrete math, and diffy q’s, as well as the whole introductory calc-based physics sequence and calc-based chemistry sequence. I think that you find this with CC’s near major STEM schools, that they have an agreement with the 4-year university to have a sort of “pre-engineering” package of classes so you can (in theory) transfer right over and start taking the major-specific stuff.</p>
<p>Are the classes harder at OSU? The higher level courses are harder, but they are harder because they are higher-level, not because I wasn’t prepared (but I read my textbooks and never got lazy at CC). Actually my first quarter at OSU was <em>easier</em> than any quarter I’d had at CSCC because I was taking a basic C++ class, a basic econ, and a basic geology class and I also found the quality of teaching (from GTAs) was much lower than at the CC where I had small class sizes and professors who liked teaching.</p>
<p>I will say this, CC’s excel at teaching math (the engineering-grade math) when compared to 4-year universities. Four-year university math classes don’t start getting good until you’re at the level where you’re being taught by professors instead of GTAs. I’ve heard nothing but horror stories about the math classes at OSU being taught by GTAs, and met a lot of people who went to CSCC <em>just</em> for the math classes <em>while</em> also attending OSU. It’s something I’d recommend to anybody. Smaller classes, more dedicated professors, AND WE COVERED A LOT MORE MATERIAL. That’s right, at the CC we covered more material in every one of my math classes. Sometimes a great deal more, like in my discrete math class. Partly because of the smaller class size but also because of the better teachers who are more interested.</p>
<p>I took Calculus 1 and 2 at a CC. Got an B in Multi-Variable and an A in Differential Equations at my transfer school. One thing that can cause a small problem is taking “Class 1” at CC and then “Class 2” at transfer school. The classes may not end and begin in the same place leaving a gap in knowledge.</p>
<p>I successfully transferred from a CC to GA Tech.</p>
<p>It’s not that much harder, people just like to pat themselves on the back. The exaggerations are almost laughable now that I think of it. Don’t get intimidated. Your GPA will likely not drop by anything substantial if you maintain the same work ethic after transferring. The atmosphere feels harder if you’re used to being one of the best students in the class and now you’re among really bright students in much higher concentrations. It’s a shame that people are so clueless about community colleges.</p>
<p>At Georgia Tech, transfer students graduate with higher average GPAs after transferring than those admitted as freshmen. That’s based on official data.</p>
<p>One thing though: there are a lot of community colleges (thousands?) and they are not all the same. If you’re going to one that typically feeds into a big engineering school, then I doubt it is substantially easier.</p>
<p>Edit: I agree with the above poster who said the quality of teaching is better at CCs. In my experience at least, science is too much to chug a couple of times a week even if your teacher is a Godsend. I always end up teaching myself most of what I learn and the teacher serves as a guide for what I’m going to be tested on and how my test questions are going to look. Good math teachers are nice though, I tend to learn math without opening the book.</p>
<p>
Let’s be fair though, that’s an improper use of statistics because those who successfully transfer (rather than drop out during CC) are already on track to be more successful just based on that.</p>
<p>That being said, good work ethic = you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>Hi, I am looking to transfer to Georgia Tech in Fall 2013 from Purdue University. I am currently a freshman engineering student, and completed my first semester with A’s and A+'s(wherever possible), and one C in a communications course. But, since the document deadline is June 1st, I will have transferred my second semester transcripts by the document deadline. I will have completed 17+17 = 34 credit hours at Purdue, and 31 transferable credit hours to Georgia Tech at the end of my freshman year. I also would like to point out that I am an international student from India, and we Indian students are not given any kind of credit for previously completed courses, so I had to take a lot of courses. Hence, compared to the many transferable credit hours some of the other applicants might have, I would have only 31. But, I can assure a 4.0 Combined Math/Science GPA, and A’s in the remaining courses.
So, I might be looking at a GPA of 3.82 by the time my application will have been completed.</p>
<p>So, in your considered judgement, do you think I have any chance to get into the Computer Engineering program beginning my sophomore year starting Fall 2013 at Georgia Tech?</p>
<p>A reply would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Why do you want to leave Purdue for Georgia Tech? I am just curious as they are my top two choices and I am also an international student, but entering Fall 2013 as a freshman. Costs are similar and engineering program is also said to be similar.</p>
<p>Because of two reasons:
- Purdue’s cost is increasing every year, and is set to increase for the upcoming term
- Georgia Tech’s cost is 5k lower than Purdue’s (compared according to the data that both universities mention on their websites)
- Not that its an issue, but if I get in, the weather in Georgia would be a welcome change than the one in Northern Indiana.</p>
<p>Please don’t get me wrong, Purdue is a great school! I love it very much, but I just am looking to cut costs. That’s all. And Ga Tech is the only school I applied to transfer anyways.</p>
<p>haha totally forgot about this question I asked 
Somehow I did not get into Tech, although my stats were above average compared with former freshmen admitted. Maybe they have higher standards for internationals. I stopped caring as soon as I was accepted to Purdue and I will be going there this fall. Do you know by how much Purdue increases tuition and fees every year? I hope they do not exceed 34k by the time I graduate. Currently it is only 2k more than Tech’s according to their websites but I have cheaper flight to Chicago so for me it is about equal. Call me insane but I prefer weather in Indiana just like I prefer weather in my Poland over weather in Italy haha.</p>
<p>btw I believe Ga Tech also increased tuition this year.</p>
<p>I don’t know exactly how much Purdue’s tuition fees is going to be this year, but last year it was less than 31K. I’m positive about that.
And congrats on Purdue! It’s really a great school. Please don’t let my thing about tuition have any bearing on how you view Purdue. The fact is that Purdue’s engineering is one of the most prestigious degrees on earth; you kinda have this feeling during your freshman year itself when you see the influx of companies all over the world during the industrial roundtable (both fall and spring), the labs, the facilities, the industry backing. In fact, some of the projects that you do for your course work during the freshman year would be graded by industry people. I myself had one of my course projects graded by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. So, Purdue is what you make of it. If you do exceedingly well, I promise you that the possibilities and opportunities are limitless. But, the only negative fact is that there will be quite a few kids out there who you will think do not deserve to be there. You’ll find quite a few of these kids at Purdue, even among engineering students. But, these are the same kids who either drop out of school after freshman or sophomore year, or drop out of engineering to join a different course. That’s how Purdue’s engineering reputation is held intact. Thats how Purdue weeds out slackers.</p>
<p>So, congrats on Purdue. I dont know what my decision is going to be at Georgia Tech; I might not go there even if I get admitted. In that case, I will see you at Purdue. And good luck, enjoy the Big 10 scene, the football and basketball, and above all, study well everyday. Just keep on top of things!</p>