<p>Hey guys... I'm not sure how this forum is supposed to run; this is my first time here (first post as well), but I'm currently in NOVA CC and would like to know my chances of applying competitively for UVA school of arts&science.</p>
<p>At the moment I hold a 3.85 GPA, as well as being a member of the PTK honor society. On my spare time I also volunteer at the Math lab as well as hold a part-time job as Internet/Restaurant Marketing Director. The notable courses that I currently hold that are transferrable to UVA are (by the end of Spring 2013 Semester): Calc I+II+III, Linear Algebra, Intro to Uni. Phys I, Intro to Uni Chem I. </p>
<p>The funny thing is, I'm taking 28 credits next semester in order to 1) complete my A.S. in math and 2) hopefully fulfill the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between NVCC and UVA.</p>
<p>The reason I ask if I'm in good running for competitive, is that a couple of my professors said that transfer students from NOVA are sometimes turned down, even with a 4.0. That was enough reason for me to find solace in this website, to make sure I had a good shot at getting in. </p>
<p>Random tangent; I also want to try and double major between Engineering and Math (hence the Phys+Chm sciences). Any opinion/advice on that would be greatly appreciated!</p>
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<li><p>If you meet the guaranteed admission agreement, why wouldn’t you be admitted?</p></li>
<li><p>You should look at the guaranteed engineering school agreement if you are interested in engineering. It is difficult to major in engineering and something else even for non-transfer students, so I would recommend (a) not transferring here if that is your definite intention (which, considering you don’t even mention what kind of engineering you would like seems unlikely) or (b) not planning on majoring in engineering. You could grab a bio or chem minor if you are so inclined.</p></li>
<li><p>What math classes are you taking next semester? You have enough to declare the major, but something like diff eq would be something worth taking anywhere-but-here. You will need to take about 8 math classes here (about 2 per semester) and declare a math concentration. Please google uva math for the 4 or 5 concentrations offered. I can advise on any of the classes you see as I was a math major. Math is pretty crazy here - a lot of people wanting to major switch out after linear algebra, so at least you’ve got that down (though I wonder how proof based it was at CC). Go to office hours all the time (they definitely help). I am aso pretty sure that you will also need to take computer science so that is something you could consider anywhere-but-here also. If you do have to take it here, take it in the fall when it is 150-200 students not the spring with 500+ students.</p></li>
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<p>1) It’s because the GAA is still everchanging, still to each new-coming semester, so it’s really frustrating as to what courses are needed for GAA.</p>
<p>2) Is minoring in bio or chem that easy of a layover as engineering would be? It would most likely be electrical engineering, sorry for leaving that out. </p>
<p>3) Next semester, I’ll be taking: Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, as well as Vector Calc. As for the computer science classes, do you know what is required? Here at CC, I’m going to be taking Discrete Math which will opt me out of the two required computer sciences I would’ve had to take. Unfortunately, here at NVCC, the highest levels of math offered is up to Diffi. Eq. and Linear algebra. I would most likely take diffi. eq. on during the Summer if UVa allows me to transfer an additional class worth of credits, even though I would have already have my 60 credits transfered from my A.S. in Math.</p>
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<li><p>Yeah, don’t plan on majoring in ee and math as a transfer student. That won’t be possible. You will need to choose one or the other. I just said a sci minor since you listed those two random science courses that have nothing to do with engineering really (just saying). Minors are pretty easy to pick up, don’t think you can get an ee minor (I don’t think one exists, regardless of whether they would let you get one because it is in the separate engineering school). You know (do you know?) the engineering school is a completely separate entity from the college of arts and sciences (where math is housed) hence all the additional requirements you would have to fulfill. Anyways that is my 2cents on that topic. Drop the engineering or drop UVA. If you have your heart set on ee and math, then UVA is not the right school for you as a transfer.</p></li>
<li><p>Discrete math also opts you out of 1 cs class here, but does not give you credit - you need the actual credit for the math major.
You could probably still take Diff Eq over the summer without UVA permission - I did that for Diff Eq also and had no problems transferring it since it was “before matriculation.” It will be worth however many hundred dollars and your summer time, TRUST ME.</p></li>
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<p>2 cont…) An A.S. in EE over here has the core sciences of CHM as well as PHYS 231+232. I was aware that once fully accepted and transferred into UVa, I would then need to apply for the school of engineering, if, I would want to make my double major possible. UVa is the best in-state for me, in terms of location, financial aid and graduate programs (or so my research concludes). The only reason I would want to double major in Engineering is for the sole purpose of being more marketable upon graduation. Alas, my true passion is for the science of Math, so most likely I’ll be the fool who chooses to follow his heart.</p>
<p>3 cont…) Thanks for the advice Hazelorb, I’ll end up sticking to the plan of taking Diff. Eq. over the summer. </p>
<p>4) Currently, I am taking the liberty to study my current Math courses that I’m taking in Spring 2013, and “getting ahead” by reading/doing the work before class starts. That way I’ll just be in class for review. Would you advise me do this for UVa’s math courses, or is their style of teaching/testing to the point where that’d be for moot.</p>
<p>please see starting at pg 12 in this pdf: <a href=“http://www.ece.virginia.edu/curriculum/ugrads/handbook.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ece.virginia.edu/curriculum/ugrads/handbook.pdf</a>
you will see ee has nothing to do with basic chem or physics once you are past your first year (and as you will be a 3rd year, you would have a BUNCH of stuff to make up). you can also see why I said double majoring in engineering and anything else is hard even for non-transfer students: there are only a few electives starting 3rd year, so you would have to have your math major already done to consider that, basically, or overload (not advisable in engineering as the courses are already rigorous enough). Also, engineering is extremely rigorous at UVA, so unless it is a passion, it is not worth your time.</p>
<p>Isn’t having a math major marketable enough? Unless you actually want to be an engineer, you probably shouldn’t major in it. You can add a statistics minor if you want to be more marketable and achieve better results as far as getting to do math. You also could just pursue actuarial courses and again achieve a more math oriented career.</p>
<p>You can definitely read ahead here if you want, though you’d be the first person I ever met to do so. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. I was the only person I knew who did homework on Friday nights, but it helped my grades.</p>
<p>You seem like you have a good head on your shoulder, and I am very much appreciative of your advice, Hazelorb. The actuarial courses, are they explicitly actuarial courses, or abstract things such as probability and statistics that gear you towards becoming an actuary. Another problem I still face, is to decide what kind of Math I would want to major in. If you could give your 2 cents on that, I’d love to hear what you have to say on that matter.</p>
<p>Actuaries have to pass a series of tests to become licensed/make more money. You can pass the first one or two just from taking Math 310 and 312 here at UVA, or so I believe I was told. Usually you are paid to work while you study for the other 5 or so (I think there are 7… Haven’t researched it in a while), but you need to pass the first 1 or 2 before you can get employed. They’re pretty tough from my understanding.</p>
<p>Here are some ideas about the kinds of things you would do and learn in each concentration:</p>
<p>Financial math (including actuary): Are you interested in applying calculus to things like statistics and economics and modeling economic situations?
Prob/stat concentration (including actuary): Are you interested in applying calculus to statistics and modeling all sorts of situations?
Graduate concentration: Are you interested in the distiguished majors program? Are you interested in graduate school? Do you love proofs? Do you love proving calculus and knowing why it works in every instance instead of knowing how to solve the problems with numbers?
Teacher ed: Do you want to teach math (nothing higher than calculus typically, and the lower range is usually pre-algebra or 6th grade)? The courses in this concentration are a nice sampling of everything the math department has to offer.
Basic concentration: Do you want to do something else with math and choose your own course requirements more freely?</p>
<p>You will need to decide your concentration when you get here, you can always put basic and change it later if you want to be more specified.</p>
<p>HTH and good luck with your spring courses and your transfer admissions.</p>