I’m a community college student who is applying 2022 Fall transfer.
I want to apply to UIUC, major in CS or CS+math.
DISCRETE MATHEMATICS is a recommended course before applying.
I could take it at 2022 spring, but I already have had heavy loading in next semester.
Some schools require Linear Algebra, some requires DISCRETE MATHEMATICS, some would take both.
So should I take DISCRETE MATHEMATICS or not?
Since you are focused on UIUC, why not talk to an admissions counselor and / or CS major advisor.
Oftentimes, but not always, recommended equals required.
Colleges want to give you the best opportunity to attend. It why they have advisers for everything. Transfer admissions, academics etc.
You may also see if your CC advisor has experience in this area.
Bottom line, I’d seek help directly from your most desired or top desired school(s). Both you and they will be happy you did. This is why their advisors get paid the big bucks…to help you !!
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Actually I have contacted UIUC engineering advisor a lot recently. And my current college advisor recommended me to contact the university directly for such info.
I have figured out that I have to make choice between CS and math+CS since I can only apply 1 major 1 time.
She said DISCRETE MATHEMATICS will fulfill both CS and math+CS.
I think it means she recommend to take this course, but I’m not sure how much opportunity it will earn me for admin.
Since I’m an international student, I’m in the lowest priority.
BTW, do you know how I can estimate the chance for transferring? I’m still learning how to use forum.
I’ll let others answer that. It’s a top school and yes intl is often the lowest odds and highest cost.
Lots of CS schools out there and you can get a great education at so many places so make sure you apply to a range of schools. Not just the top reputed.
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For CS, both discrete math and linear algebra are commonly required courses. So you will need to take both of them anyway. You might as well take them now.
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If UIUC recommends discrete for potential CS transfers you should take it, competition is fierce for the few transfer slots there are in CS. And you are correct that Interdepartment/school transfers and Illinois community college transfers have priority over an international student.
I know less about the CS + Math major, but it also sounds highly competitive (do you meet all the criteria?):
Transfer applicants who have completed more than 6 semesters or 80 hours of coursework are subject to an additional review. Priority is given to students who can complete degree requirements within a total of ten semesters in college (not counting summer sessions). A grade point average of 3.50 or higher (A=4.00) is required for admission to Mathematics & Computer Science. However, a minimum grade of A- is required
on each Computer Science and Mathematics course taken. Applicants are considered on a space available basis.
You should consider UIUC a reach…is it affordable? If you are certain you want to transfer to the US to study CS, you will need to apply to other schools as well.
Thank you for attaching the handbook.
I have read carefully, yes I’ve met all the criteria.
I have taken Cal I,II,III, programming I,II,III, Physics I,II, Chemistry I,II
All my math, CS, science courses grades are A.
I will apply multiple schools like UIUC, University of Michigan, University of Washington, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Maryland - College Park…
Well I searched them in CS ranking lol.
To apply all of them, do I need to take DISCRETE MATHEMATICS?
I don’t know what your stats are but those are all top schools.
You likely need to add a few that are for sure.
We don’t know your stats but typically CS transfer is not easy and as you say you are picking solely by ranking.
That may leave you with no school. Or it may leave you with a school that isn’t compatible. Have you visited any to make sure you’d like them ? They’re all large. Fine schools but there are many fine schools down the rankings as well.
What if none of these top ones accept you ??
I have been staying in Houston for 3 years and I’ve never been to any other states in US.
If all the top public schools don’t accept me, I guess I will still have University of Houston.
But I do want to go to another state to experience life with more diversity.
I’m just afraid if it’s not a top school it will be hard for me to look for a job after graduate.
Are you applying as an international student or domestic?
If Domestic, you will be able to get a good CS job from U Houston, and many other non-reach schools. If International, staying in the US after you get your degree will be more difficult.
UIUC says discrete math is highly recommended. So, that means you should take it…without it you will be less competitive at all your reach schools. Can you fit it in next semester? Are all your other classes requirements/highly recommended too?
I will be applying as an international student.
Thank you for the suggestion. I will take discrete math, cause if I get rejected I will think why I didn’t take it?
I will also have Linear Algebra, Computer Organization, University Physics Laboratory I, University Physics Laboratory II, American Literature II next semester. Literature is in winter so it’s ok to keep it, I’m thinking if I need University Physics Laboratory II.
Being an international student reduces the probability of acceptance at all of the reach schools on your list. Are all of the schools on your list affordable? Is U Houston affordable? As an international student applying to public schools as a transfer you are unlikely to get any merit aid/discount.
Posters here can help you if you want more suggestions, but do tell us your budget. Thoughts @MYOS1634?
Thank for your consideration, I’ve checked the tuition for those schools and yes it’s affordable.
UH is much cheaper, but I would like to study in a better university.
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My budget is 50,000/year.
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That’s a good budget. You definitely need a safety school because right now you only have high reaches…I don’t know for sure but I expect the CS transfer acceptance rate at each of those schools for international students is low to mid single digits, even for strong candidates like yourself.
Are there any other Texas schools you would be interested in? UT Dallas? TAMU? Texas Tech?
I will apply TAMU, maybe UT Austin also(I heard UT Austin will barely accept international students).
Not sure if I will apply UT Dallas, since I prefer some other states.
Texas is a little boring for me, I heard Utah is beautiful, maybe it’s because I haven’t found the beautify of Texas lol.
U Utah should be affordable and they have good CS, something to look into. https://admissions.utah.edu/apply/transfer/
There’s many colleges that offer CS. Even cheap ones OOS and you have to look at the school to see Scholarship. W Carolina. S Illinois. Utah - ok these are not diverse.
UAH. Florida State. Florida Tech with merit. WVU. UTK. U CINCY. MS State. Hundreds of great schools.
If you are eligible to work in the US you’ll be fine at solid yet affordable schools.
Unemployment is 4.2%. If kids at these colleges were not getting jobs we’d have a crazy rate. College grads + hard work and tenacity = a good chance at a bright future.
Btw Houston…fine school
If you want diversity head to northeast or west. TCNJ, New Mexico. San Diego State etc
Good luck.
I said stats…ie statistics. Not states. Like do u have a 4.0 or 2.0 etc. it’s hard to evaluate if one doesn’t know what kind of student one is. That’s all.
Great information, thank you!
I haven’t heard these schools but I believe it’s because I don’t know where to find these info, I just looked at the ranking.
I will check them all!