Honest Assessment of my 2 year Transfer Plan

So I’m an incoming CC student who wants to major in CS studying at De Anza College in the Bay Area. I’m planning to apply to UCB, UCSD, UCLA and TAG to UCD.

That said, I mapped out a basic transfer plan based on the articulation agreements on Assist.org for the 14-15 transfer year. I wanted to know what thought’s you guys have and any thoughts you have on what I could improve. I’ve made it a google doc’s spreadsheet so here’s the link:

Sheet 1 is the actual schedule and Sheet 2 is me organizing what classes are required for each school.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D0vz99-5zaofFqwhU2q4BApZnaEWPxSuH84G_xbn1d0/edit?usp=sharing

Also, I’d like thoughts specifically for my first quarter at De Anza’s schedule: (Note Quarter system)

Calculus 1C - 5.0 units
Intro to C++ - 4.5 units
Physics 4A - 6.0 units
English/Writing 1A - 5 units

Thanks!

what fits into the **** ?

I think you should drop something, honestly. It’s only your first semester, and you’ll be able to take classes in the summer if you wish. I can probably give you a more solid opinion if I were able to see your entire plan, but taking that many units your first quarter is a bit much. It’s probably doable, but you’ll just want to get the best grades you can. I’d say save Eng1A for your winter quarter.

I think docs(dot)google.com fits into the **** space.

All your classes look good except for CIS 15C (De Anza doesn’t offer this anymore)
CIS 15C was changed to 22C - see deanza(dot)edu/cis/schedule.html

Another tip for future quarters, make sure you have backups for certain classes in case you don’t get them.

It looks really good. You’re really on top of things, @Orangered123 - looks worlds better than my google doc :-bd

A couple of things, though - for one, I think you shouldn’t take 4 classes your first quarter. I would drop Eng 1A and take it in the winter instead. Taking 1A and 1B seems somewhat unnecessary, especially as a CS major. Totally my opinion, though. I just really recommend taking a lighter schedule for your first term, as it’s a big adjustment from high school.

Also, for the Fall 2016, you wrote Math 22B twice. Other than that, it looks excellent - are you following the 7-course breadth?

@goldencub

I think the link messed up. Here is the actual link if other people would take a look at it.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D0vz99-5zaofFqwhU2q4BApZnaEWPxSuH84G_xbn1d0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks @wonder77 for pointing that out.

I will make sure to change the 15C class to 22C. Thanks for pointing that out to me. About the future quarters point, I was mainly hedging that if I couldn’t get a class at De Anza that I could take it at Foothill. I’ll make sure to make a plan for that possibility.

@goldencub

For Berkeley L&S CS admissions you don’t need IGETC but they do state you need 2 English courses. I was confused at UCLA’s english requirements for CS transfers. Could you glance at this assist.org agreement? I’m confused if they want 2 or 3 courses in English. That’s why I’ve put down taking english 1A, 1B and 2.

http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=DAC&ria=UCLA&ia=DAC&oia=UCLA&aay=14-15&ay=15-16&dora=COMP+SCI

Regarding the 7 Breath courseload. The assist.org agreement says for the L&S BA in CompSci that they only need the following:

  1. The L&S Requirements in Reading & Composition, Quantitative Reasoning, and
    Foreign Language; OR
  2. IGETC

Because of that I’m taking only English for humanities. Since my HS transcript covers foreign lang and I have the SAT done for the Quantitative reasoning.

I’ll try to see what I can do about making a lighter course load. The big thing for me is that for UCLA CS, they ask for very stringent requirements that are hard to meet directly.

Another factor is that I’m taking the Intro to C++ course because I dropped it during this summer’s summer term because I did very poorly on the midterm. I’ve been reviewing C++ since and hope to have much of the class as review because of that.

The reason I want to take EWRT in the fall is because I’m worried it’ll be hard taking all of these STEM classes without some sort of balance and I’m hoping that English can provide that balance.

College Confidential seems keen on blocking out any links to google.

docs.go ogle.com/spreadsheets/d/1D0vz99-5zaofFqwhU2q4BApZnaEWPxSuH84G_xbn1d0/edit?usp=sharing

this is the link, copy and paste taking the space out from between google phrase.

@wonder77

Thanks for pointing me to the CIS schedule site. I had no idea that it existed and it is a really great resource that I’m now using to clean up my courseload a bit.

I figured it out.

That assist articulation agreement is saying that you need English 1A AND either 1B or 1C or 2, and so on. You only need two courses from what I see.

Er, I don’t know about the specifics, and the LA website says you aren’t required to finish GE before you transfer (it’s probably better to if you can) but:

http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/OASA/mary-anne/GE-HSSEASCombo14-15-3.pdf

http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/requirement/7breadth.html

It’s probably better to complete breadth/GE before you transfer. Yeah.

Eh, it’s totally up to you. It looks like you won’t really be able to put off taking your Physics or Math off for a semester (I’m guessing you have AP test scores that will allow you to skip Math 1A & 1B?) - maybe CIS? I think Physics, Calc, and CS would make for a pretty solid first term - and not too bad, considering it’s only three courses. Definitely something to consider - sticking to your original plan for the Fall shouldn’t be too bad, but because it’s your first term, a lighter schedule would give you some leeway. It’ll be an adjustment.

Awesome! That helps a lot. So I’ll take English 2 off my schedule.

I’ve got 2 breath requirements covered through AP Tests, I believe. I have credit for both US History and European History. I’m reluctant to add much more than I need to because I’m worried about a larger courseload and the fact that I need to get a 4.0 or as close to one as possible to keep my chances of transferring high.

Ya, since I got a 4 on my AP B/C test they told me I can only skip A and B but have to take C. It wouldn’t have helped even if I got a 5. CIS there are no prereq’s that can give me clearance to skip anyth there.

I’ll see. I might keep English on and decide to drop in the first two weeks depending on how the class and teacher are. Its pretty awesome that I can drop like that.

Thanks for all the advice and opinion. I really appreciate the help.

What scores did you get on your other AP tests?

And yeah, I think that if you were to drop a class (which I think you should), English is probably the best option.

Other than that, you have a really good plan and I’m sure you’ll do well. Fulfilling breadth doesn’t look like it’ll be too difficult, as there will certainly be overlap with your major requirements.

I got a 3 on the European History test and a 4 on the US History test. Will this make a difference?

Thanks! I hope to stick to it and will continue to revise it as time progresses.

You should get credit for the US History test, but I don’t know about the specifics for AP units. Talk to a counselor when you have a chance.

Since one of your targets is Berkeley, note the De Anza does not have any coverage of the lower division CS courses at Berkeley except for part of CS 61B, according to 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=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB .

You can find CS 61B at:

West Valley: 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=WVC&ia=WVC&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB
Evergreen Valley: 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=EVERGRN&ia=EVERGRN&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB
Ohlone: 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=OHLONE&ia=OHLONE&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB

To find CS 61A:

Laney: 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=LANEY&ia=LANEY&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB

To find CS 61C:

Diablo Valley: 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=DIABLO&ia=DIABLO&ria=UCB&oia=UCB&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=CS-AB

You need either of the above for admission to Berkeley L&S. Having complete IGETC means that your L&S breadth requirements are considered fulfilled. If you do not have IGETC, you would still need to fulfill the L&S 7-course breadth requirement (though your CC courses could fulfill some or all of it). See http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/requirement/summary.html . Note that Berkeley L&S does not accept AP credit against the 7-course breadth requirement, but your CC may allow it when certifying IGETC (De Anza’s list is at https://www.deanza.edu/transfer/pdf/ge_igetc_ap_webfinal.pdf ). Berkeley L&S requirements that can be fulfilled before transfer if you do not do IGETC are described at 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=15-16&dora=GE and 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=15-16&dora=AMCULT .

Of course, you should take as many of the L&S CS major prerequisites as you can.

English - you need two. The first, and then ONE of the others listed.

@ucbalumnus

Thanks for that information! I’m adjusting my schedule to see what I change so that I don’t have redundancies when it comes to Berkeley’s recommended courses so that I can take them at other CC’s.

That said, if I attempt to register for the CIS 61C at Diablo Valley College in the spring of my second year, would I be able to take the class there? Since it is the only place nearby that offers 61C I would assume that the class fills up fast and since I would be enrolling for only that one class it would be very unlikely that I would be able to get it before it filled up.

@lindyk8

Thanks for the comment and information.

@ucbalumnus

I don’t have to finish the full breadth requirement before I transfer correct? Otherwise I won’t be able to transfer in 2 years and have to settle for 3 or so.

How does CIS 22B/29 differ from CIS 28?

You do not have to fulfill all breadth before transfer (but specific areas must be satisfied, according to the ASSIST reports), but if you do not, you have to complete the breadth after transfer. This may make for a crowded schedule if you also have to take “catch up” courses for your major, so you may not be able to graduate in four semesters (or six quarters) after transfer if there are too many “catch up” courses as well as uncompleted breadth.