<p>I graduated high school in 2007 and have been attending a community college since. Right now I'm starting my 5th year here. This is because for the first 2 years in cc I did not know what I wanted to do. I took the IGETC requirements and many more unnecessary classes. I then realized that I wanted to go into computer programming and want to major in computer science. My goal is to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona. With this major, I would spend at least another 2.5 years at my CC before I can transfer. I also have a very high amount of units. After this semester I will have over 100+ units. Following computer science major, I'd need to do 60+ more units for a total of 160+ units when I transfer. I'm currently 22 years old and I feel that I am extremely behind. I talked to a counselor and he said I should get out as fast as possible. He recommended I switch majors to CIS instead of CS and go to CSULA instead of CPP. If I listen to him it would be 1.5 years more in CC instead of 2.5. I currently don't know what to do. I'm stressing out so much that I cannot eat or sleep properly and it is affecting my current schedule.</p>
<p>A.) Is spending 6.5 or more years in a CC too long?
B.) Is having 160+ semester units when transferring too much?
C.) Should I listen to the counselor?
D.) If I am a 1st generation and my college GPA is currently 3.0, what are my chances of getting into CPP?
E.) Last semester, I got a D in a math class that I am retaking right now. Will this affect my chances of getting into CPP?
F.) If I can't get into CPP, what other CSUs around Los Angeles are good for a CS major?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t really think it’s a horrible situation… I’m in a somewhat similar dilemma. I have about 120 credit hours (although that includes all my pre-reqs for Engineering). When I graduated in 2005, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do so I picked Criminal Justice. After being extremely unhappy with my choice, I finished my AA in General Studies and transferred to Eastern Michigan University for Mechanical Engineering Technology. After attending there I realized it wasn’t the program that I wanted, and although it was the more affordable option it left a huge void for me. I always wanted to go to University of Michigan but had absolutely no way to pay for it as an OOS student ($36,000+/yr). I ended up enlisting in the Army so I could get a GI Bill among other reasons. Anyways, I’m 24 yrs old and I too feel that 120 credits is significantly too high, but I would think admissions would realize that you’ve matured along the way and found an interest in something else. Sometimes people operate on a trial and error basis… especially something that you’ll potentially do for the majority of life afterwards. Others have to take small steps at a time to reach large goals… I certainly would not have been able to go to Michigan right after high school but I really think I have a great shot now. </p>
<p>All that said, here’s my two cents: If you have the resources available and are willing to sacrifice more time then go for it - especially if that’s what you truly want. IMO counselors are worthless, but that’s ONLY my experience… every single one I’ve spoken to has given me horrible advice that I’m so thankful I never took. According to a school like Michigan, 160 credits is not too much if you realize that only there will be a cap (like 60 max, etc)… if you’re aware of that then the school shouldn’t care. Not sure about CPP, but there should be a minimum GPA for transfers. I’ll use Michigan as an example again and say that their CS transfer GPA is pretty high… like a 3.5 or 3.8… math of course is a significant factor and the ‘D’ will likely cause them to raise an eyebrow. My advice is talk to an admission counselor or even better the director. </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post… I figured I’d try to help because no one ever did for me and those questions would stress the crap out of me. Hopefully this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking your time to help me. I felt really alone here because most of my friends are split. Half of them went directly to UCs and CSUs from high school. Most of them that went to a UC or CSU are already getting their bachelors. </p>
<p>Going to a UC is almost out of the question right now. I come from a low class family and can barely afford going to a CSU (which is why I opted for a community college). My parents never went to college. Heck, they never even graduated high school. My sister and I are the first generation to attend college. </p>
<p>Would being the first generation to go to college offset the fact that in one semester I got a D in math?
Anyone have information about CSUs around LA for a CS major?</p>
<p>PS: I’m trying to study for a midterm tomorrow but this stress is really taking its toll.</p>
<p>All schools are different so what I say may be irrelevant. I believe that first-gen helps to an extent, because it adds a level of diversity, albeit a small one. As for accounting for the ‘D’ I highly doubt that they will consider your first-generation status as offsetting in any way. BTW which math course was it, if you don’t mind me asking… in some situations it may not be that significant. I had a ‘C’ in a trig class… yeah a very simple trig class, but that’s because the teacher sucked. I have had ‘A’s’ in College Algebra, Calc I, II, III and Diff EQ. Admissions should clearly see the anomaly as a ‘hiccup’ from the norm. </p>
<p>I can tell you this much, colleges want a few things from transfer students: Upward trend, wide breadth of courses, challenges courses, and a demonstrated level of understanding as shown by your GPA. If you have all this, you will be a foot in the door pretty much anywhere. I would seriously call CPP or maybe even a UC or CSU and find out what they recommend to increase your chances. I’m not sure what aid you would get, but you never know unless you ask. The best place to start is to figure out where you can get into.</p>
<p>The class I got a D in was trigonometry. I don’t know what happened but that semester was just very poor for me. I am retaking trig right now. Like you, I need Calc A, B, and C (1,2,3) linear algebra, and diff eq. Not to mention many CS classes. I still need those 60+ units which equates to about 13 more classes. If I can prove myself in these 13 classes, will that possibly offset the D?</p>
<p>Starting next month I’ll start calling CPP and different CSUs about my grades. Right now I have many tests this week and next week.</p>
<p>PS: Thank you so much for taking your time and being patient with me.</p>