Applying as engineering this Fall. Advice pls!

Hi, I’m currently in my second quarter in a cc (DA college), majoring in Mech Engineering. I’m planning to transfer to Cal, Ucla or SD next fall. I need help from experienced transfer students out there. Here’s the problem

  1. How many major pre-requisites should I get done before applying on this fall? Do I have to complete 80% of my total major prep on assist.org?
  2. I saw many engineering majors in my cc spending 3 years. Is it really necessary to do 3 years? It seems like every pre-req could be squeezed into 2 years.
  3. Would top tier UCs consider workload when reviewing GPA? (I'm taking 4 courses, 20+ units per quarter)
  4. Here is my schedule up to now.

Fall 14
English Writing 1A
Calculus 1A
GE

Winter 15 (this quarter)
English Writing 2
Calculus 1B
Intro Engineering
Physics 4 (Mechanics)

What advice do you have for my upcoming schedule? (I’m thinking of Chem1A, Calculus1C, intro c++, statics)

  1. My main concern is that I'm planning to skip physics 4B next quarter because the professor is hard (to "protect" my 3.9 GPA). But I'm also worry that if I skipped spring for 4B, I can only take it on Fall. (Not offered on summer). Since fall is the time we apply, would it hurt my application I apply with just one physics? (Note that I can get the whole series done by transferring). Is it worth it to skip 2 quarters of physics or would it hurt my application?

Thank you so much for reading. I know I’m nervous but I need your valuable advice. Thanks.

from what im aware of ucla doesn’t take people that haven’t finished all their pre reqs. As for cal and SD im pretty sure its the same although i did have a friend that got into SD materials engineering without taking any physics. IMO i think you should finish anything you possibly can if you are able to. the reason being that physics class even with a difficult teacher is going to be a lot easier in comparison to classes at the aforementioned schools so taking it would prepare you for whats to come. i know youre trying to protect your gpa but i want to tell you the reality of the situation, if you cant do well at at community college with the classes they require which are lower division chances are you’re going to fail at university.

also for questions 2 and 3. there’s a reason engineering majors stay at cc longer they are a lot more difficult than other majors, so it usually takes longer to finish everything. as for question 3 im not sure if they take into account courseload but from what im seeing yours looks like a standard one that i’ve seen other people go through so its nothing special.

if DA is DeAnza then go see a xfer counselor. DeAnza has one of the highest number of students xferring to UCs in the state, they know the answers (and you ought to be working with them anyway because there may be things you haven’t thought of that they are well aware of)

Complete as many prerequisites as you can. Missing prerequisites will need to be “caught up” after transfer, which may delay graduation.

Based on the following ASSIST pages:
http://www.assist.org/web-assist/reportOnly.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&rinst=left&EM=1&sia=DAC&ia=DAC&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=14-15&dora=ENGMECH
http://www.assist.org/web-assist/reportOnly.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&rinst=left&EM=1&sia=DAC&ia=DAC&ria=UCLA&oia=UCLA&ay=14-15&dora=MECH=ENG
http://www.assist.org/web-assist/reportOnly.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&rinst=left&EM=1&sia=DAC&ia=DAC&ria=UCSD&oia=UCSD&ay=14-15&dora=MECH=ENGR

The De Anza courses you need to take are:

MATH 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B
PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D (4D needed only for Berkeley)
CHEM 1A, 1B, 1C (1C not needed for San Diego)
EWRT 1A, (1B or 2) (for Berkeley and Los Angeles; Los Angeles allows additional choices)
ENGR 10 (for Berkeley)
ENGR 45 (for Los Angeles)
CIS 27 or 29 (for Los Angeles)

Not required, but helpful to fulfill breadth requirements:

2 humanities or social studies courses (for Berkeley, preferably including one from http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=21&dir=1&sia=DAC&ria=UCB&ia=DAC&oia=UCB&aay=14-15&ay=14-15&dora=AMCULT and one in a subject which you will want to take an upper division course in after transfer)
IGETC pattern (for San Diego)
IGETC pattern or courses for http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/OASA/mary-anne/GE-HSSEAS-combined13-14-1-FINAL-2.pdf (for Los Angeles)

It is preferable for your prereqs to be done by the Fall quarter that you apply, but as long as you complete them before you transfer, you are fine.