<p>I am a physics major at a community college looking to transfer in the fall 2012 term to UC Berkeley. I have a 3.906 GPA however my only 2 B's were non UC transferable courses so I think ill be transferring with a 4.0. I am also done with all my GE's. The thing that is going to hurt my chances is that I wont have all my major prerequisites done by the time of transfer. Ill still need to take electricity/magnetism, linear algebra/diff equations, and chem. Im pretty sure id be able to finish all these my first semester there though. Also I have a bit of extra curricular, but not that much.
So what are my chances? and more specifically how strict do you think Berkeley will be about finishing prereqs prior to transfer?</p>
<p>If you do get in, the schedule may be tight if you need to take Physics 7B and Math 54 in the fall, because you’ll have to wait until spring to start upper division physics and math courses. The long prerequisite sequence is Physics 137A - 111 - 111, so there is no room for error without delaying graduation if you start that in the spring. Also, you’ll need to fit 8 physics courses (and 2-3 recommended math courses, if desired) into the three semesters (normally about 12 courses), so not much room for scheduling errors or delays.</p>
<p>If you can, try to complete the physics and math in the summer session so that you can start upper division physics and math in the fall.</p>
<p>I cant take them at my college during the summer, its course offerings during the summer session are very limited. I would take it at berkeley then if I could, but I applied for fall so Im not sure if they would allow me to do that. Also do you know what types of classes I could take for my major during the summer/winter sessions at berkeley that could lessen the load during fall and spring? and allow me to fit more electives in.</p>
<p>You do not have to be a regular Berkeley student to take courses at Berkeley during the summer.</p>
<p>[Berkeley</a> Summer Sessions |](<a href=“http://summer.berkeley.edu/]Berkeley”>http://summer.berkeley.edu/)</p>
<p>Indeed, they even have a Transfer Edge program for newly admitted transfer students (gives the slightly lower fees that regular students get compared to visitors):</p>
<p>[Transfer</a> Edge | Berkeley Summer Sessions](<a href=“http://summer.berkeley.edu/transfer/description]Transfer”>http://summer.berkeley.edu/transfer/description)</p>
<p>The summer schedule is already open, and students are registering:</p>
<p>Math 54: [UCB</a> Online Schedule of Classes: Search Results](<a href=“http://osoc.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?y=0&x=0&p_term=SU&p_deptname=--+Choose+a+Department+Name+--&p_classif=--+Choose+a+Course+Classification+--&p_presuf=--+Choose+a+Course+Prefix%2FSuffix+--&p_course=54&p_dept=math&p_session=--+Choose+a+Session+--]UCB”>http://osoc.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?y=0&x=0&p_term=SU&p_deptname=--+Choose+a+Department+Name+--&p_classif=--+Choose+a+Course+Classification+--&p_presuf=--+Choose+a+Course+Prefix%2FSuffix+--&p_course=54&p_dept=math&p_session=--+Choose+a+Session+--)</p>
<p>Physics 7B: [UCB</a> Online Schedule of Classes: Search Results](<a href=“http://osoc.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?y=0&x=0&p_term=SU&p_deptname=--+Choose+a+Department+Name+--&p_classif=--+Choose+a+Course+Classification+--&p_presuf=--+Choose+a+Course+Prefix%2FSuffix+--&p_course=7b&p_dept=phys&p_session=--+Choose+a+Session+--]UCB”>http://osoc.berkeley.edu/OSOC/osoc?y=0&x=0&p_term=SU&p_deptname=--+Choose+a+Department+Name+--&p_classif=--+Choose+a+Course+Classification+--&p_presuf=--+Choose+a+Course+Prefix%2FSuffix+--&p_course=7b&p_dept=phys&p_session=--+Choose+a+Session+--)</p>
<p>Physics 7B appears to be almost full already.</p>
<p>You can also check other community colleges for the needed course offerings in the summer.</p>
<p>yeah ive been doing that, because its kind of unlikely that I could commute to berkeley every day. Ive found a few options.
if I found a way to take electricity/magnetism and differential equations but not linear algebra how would that affect me starting upper division right when i transferred? ie could I take it my first semester along with upper division classes or would those classes require me to already know linear algebra?
Also you seem to know a lot about this stuff. Are you a physics major at Berkeley? if so how is it for physics there? Ive heard very good things but ive also heard its hard for undergrads to get good research opportunities.</p>
<p>just remembered that linear algebra and differential equations are the same course at berkeley. so it would be all or nothing on that front. so what if I got electricity/magnetism but not a math 54 equivalent? would I be able to start upper division along with 54 or have to wait a semester making E/M useless to take during the summer.</p>
<p>but my original question about E/M and diff EQ. but no linear algebra could still apply to other schools. so how much does beginning upper division depend on their completion?</p>