<p>Hey guys, I'm in a bit of a pickle and I don't know what to do. I need some clarification on my situation before I do something idiotic.</p>
<p>I've attended Cypress Community College with the hopes of transferring out to either CSULB, UCI, or UCLA. Everything else is just too far and I'd prefer to commute from home. I've been here ever since August 2012, have 53 UC transferable units, completed IGETC, and have only recently deciding to major in computer science.</p>
<p>Here are some of my biggest problems that are tearing me a new butthole:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I've failed the math placement test... HARD. I started all over from elementary math and had to work my way up course by course. I'm currently in Trig and the next level would be Calc I.</p></li>
<li><p>I've only very recently decided what my major was going to be.... and it turns out I need a LOT of math... and physics.</p></li>
<li><p>My parents are dead set on me attending UCLA. Almost to the point of "UCLA or unloved and abandoned CSULB/UCI student"</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I've been undecided for a very long time, and I only recently decided that I was going to major in Computer Science. The problem is, according to assist.org, comp sci is a very competitive at UCLA and I'm far from completing all the pre reqs. It'll probably take me another two years to finish all those pre reqs, and even then my admission isn't guaranteed.</p>
<p>Here are my specific questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Does UCLA look down on those who took too long to transfer out of community college?</li>
<li>Does it look bad if you have too many units? I mean, I have 53 right now and if I want to complete everything listed on assist, I'm looking at around 80~90 units of credit.</li>
<li>Must I finish all the courses listed on assist? There are courses that are REQUIRED for admission and there are courses that are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Would it hurt me if I only completed the REQUIRED courses to get out of CC faster?Or is it smarter to stay the extra semester or two to finish the STRONGLY RECOMMENDED courses?</li>
<li>Do I need a lot of extra curriculars?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks to those for reading this post. I realize its long but I'm very anxious.</p>
<p>I was in the same exact position. I chose my major very late (The fall I chose to apply to UC’s), and I somehow managed to complete 75% of the prerequisites for Philosophy prior to being accepted.</p>
<p>I was going to choose CS, but like you, I had a ton of math and science courses to complete, which would mean the earliest I’d be able to transfer is 2016 or later (I started CC in 2011).</p>
<p>Also, I had to start my math all over and was only able to take 1 math class per semester, so it’d take me 5-6 years to transfer if I decided to major in CS (Began my math sequence 2 years after I was in CC, so another 3-4 years is a good estimate considering I needed to take Alg 1, 2, trig, precalc, calc 1A, calc 1B, calc 2A, calc 2B, etc.)</p>
<p>Honestly, I’d major in something other than STEM unless you want to spend half a decade in CC like I almost did. </p>
<p>1) No. In fact, they LOVE non traditional students. It’s like seeing Emma Watson in a bikini, but Jennifer Love Hewitt is also behind her sunbathing.</p>
<p>2) No. I had 65 units and I’ve read some posts here of students with 80+. It did not affect their admission decision.</p>
<p>3) No. I only completed 75% of my prereqs and was still admitted to UCLA</p>
<p>4) No. I had no extra curriculars other than 1 retail job, which I did not mention anywhere, and UCLA still accepted me.</p>
<p>@cayton Summoning cayton just for added reassurance</p>
<p>3) This question depends on your major. A lot. If you’re engineering and only completed 75% of your prereqs? Don’t even bother wasting money on the application fee. You need to complete all to even have a fighting chance.</p>
<p>If you’re applying to a nonimpacted major like I did? Just complete as many as you can and pray to whatever deity you believe in. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to bribe the admission counselor reviewing your app either.</p>
<p>Bc you changed to not just any major but a STEM major, you have to take a lot of classes and the road will be rigorous. However, if you succeed, you will get to where you want to be bc compsci majors are very high in demand.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No, but you would want to transfer asap for your own good. It’s no fun being the only mid 20 something year old in a class full of youngsters. I think it just feels a bit different and you won’t get the college experience you deserve to have. :)</p></li>
<li><p>No, but I think there is a unit cap. Look it up on google
.</p></li>
<li><p>You really should bc it’s so competitive. Chances are that if you don’t finish those courses, you won’t be as a competitive applicant. Stay an extra semester or 2 if you want to get to UCLA. Don’t stay if you don’t really care about UCLA.</p></li>
<li><p>You need a good amount of extracurriculars, and please don’t be one of those people who do it just to get into college haha. Join ones that you at least sort of like. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Also, if you want to go to CSULB or UCI, just go. They’re perfectly fine. Your parents are those who only look at the name, which is typical but not good. UCLA might not be for you, and if so, why go there?</p>
<p>Best of luck! :)</p>
<p>OH AND TAKE THE MATH PLACEMENT TEST AGAIN/talk to the dept chair if you think you could skip a math class or too</p>
<p>Honestly, if you want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, your best bet would be to major in something like Math with less requirements and taking some CS classes on the side/teaching yourself/doing your own projects. This is for UCLA. UCLA CS requirements are a pain in the butt and not even relevant IMO. </p>
<p>For UCI, they are probably going to be less lenient on requirements. You probably need to have Calc 1, 2, (try and get linear algebra done), some sciences and all your CS done. </p>
<p>An alternative to computer science is mathematics for computation, which has similar prerequisites, but is much less competitive. From everything I’ve read over the last few years and from my own experience, I feel the length of time and number of units doesn’t matter nor do extra curriculars really. I think the most important factors are required coursework and GPA. You want to keep your GPA at 3.7 if possible. Also if your CC has an honors program, do it.</p>
<p>Agree with what everyone said, save for one point.</p>
<p>You ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY have to complete the required courses listed on ASSIST. CS is way too competitive/impacted to not take them. Frankly, I think you should even do the recommended courses if you really want to attend UCLA.</p>
<p>Take a CS class as early as you can. It’s not for everyone, so figure out if you like it before you commit to all those pre-reqs. After your school’s intro class (probably intro to CS in Java/C++ or similar title) you should have a pretty good idea of if you like it or not… but find out soon if you’re going to hate CS.</p>
<p>Otherwise, GPA and pre-reqs are the biggest factors. Do your best to take everything listed on assist.org (at least the required ones). ECs can certainly help out as well, I’m pretty sure it was a big factor when I got into Cal, at least. It doesn’t have to be big, but show that you care, and that you get involved in things. Maybe join a math or CS club at school, or start working on little pet projects (code non-school stuff). ECs aren’t as big as coursework and grades, but I think it helps.</p>
<p>For the maths and physics… yeah, there’s a lot of them, sorry. One thing that’s not super obvious is that math kinda branches out. After Calc 2, most schools will allow you to take Calc 3 (Multivariate), differential equations, linear algebra, or discrete math, in no particular order. Depending on which schools you’re looking at they may only require linear/discrete, but if you’re good at math you might be able to double up on some of those. Or you can take a year or two if math’s not your thing, and have more time to absorb the material and do well in the classes.</p>
<p>I feel I should clarify based on the thread @lindyk8 made. You need to complete all of the courses that articulate at your CC. Missing ones that are not offered will not hurt you.</p>
<p>Thanks @luckie1367. I believe, though, there have been others who have said it. I wasn’t singling you out. In fact, you never entered my head. It’s been an on-going theme. </p>
<p>I think that it is good how you are aiming for a very good school. However, be aware of just how difficult it is to get accepted to UCLA’s computer science major as a transfer student. Last year UCLA only accepted 6 applicants out of the 501 that applied to UCLA’s computer science major. To put that into perspective, let me say this: Stanford has an acceptance rate of about 5% percent, and UCLA’s CS department had an acceptance rate of about 1.2%</p>
<p>So if your parents have the mentality of “UCLA or unloved and abandoned CSULB/UCI student”, then they are going to be sorely disappoint when they find out your chances at UCLA. Keep in mind that the average admitted GPA was 3.98, so you are going to have to be perfect if you want to have a chance. I’m not saying these things to discourage you, I’m saying them to let you know just how hard you are going to have to work. If UCLA is really your dream school, then you should put in the effort to apply.</p>
<p>Keep in the mind that UCLA isn’t the only option. There are plenty of other good schools that have great CS programs. If you were to go to UCI, then you could probably apply next year. There aren’t that many prereqs for it. Just look at the requirements. You don’t even have to take to take physics or chemistry!</p>
<p>^ But it is also important to keep in mind that there are a ton of requirements that not everyone completes but they still apply. I’d be curious to see how many are fully qualified and get in.</p>
<p>exactly. I think the reason for the low admittance numbers is due primarily to people not meeting the many prerequisites, especially chemistry and physics. They published something listing the importance of the subjects for CS, but I don’t remember where I found it. </p>
<p>Plus, it seems a lot more people got in this year to CS (judging by what I’ve read on this board and others) with generally lower GPAs, so last year may have been an anomaly.</p>
<p>Everyone, THANK YOU for responding so quickly. My internet connection has been down for a while so I was not able to immediately reply to this thread.</p>
<p>So what I understand is that</p>
<p>1) I should complete ALL my pre reqs for UCLA since their computer science program is just that competitive.
2) I should maintain AT LEAST a 3.7 GPA in order to be considered.
3) EC could help, but GPA and preqs should be my top most priority.
4) UCI is not a bad alternative, especially since their pre reqs arent as strict as those of UCLA.
5) I shouldn’t be surprised to get rejected, especially with a 1.2% acceptance rate.</p>
<p>Oh geez, looks like I got my work cut out for me. I plan on talking with some representatives from UCLA, UCI, and CSULB soon when they come and offer information at our tranfer center so hopefully I’ll be able to learn more over there.</p>
<p>And Computational Math? That sounds like a solid alternative to computer science. Not as competitive as comp sci, and not as much pre reqs required as well. Is switching my major to comp math a good idea? </p>
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