<p>I just got admitted to the IEOR program @ Cal for Fall 2006 as a transfer student. I have a couple questions here.</p>
<li><p>How competitive is the program? is it very cutthroat like EECS? how is the difficulty compare to other engineering majors? Do you think i could survive, considering i’m a transfer student ? I have 4.0 GPA from UCI, but i’m sure the rigor of the engineering program is at a differnt level.</p></li>
<li><p>What types of jobs do the graduates tend to get? i’m actually interested in finance, and wonder how this major could help me. At the same time i dont mind working as an engineer if things dont work out.</p></li>
<li><p>Is it a good idea to dorm for transfers?? Its pretty expensive but seems like a good idea to make friends…Or should i commute ? i have another option to live at my aunt’s house in fremont.</p></li>
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<p>Thats the questions that i could think of right off the top of my head…maybe more to come. Thanks in advance…!!</p>
<p>The IEOR is awesome! In fact I am switching from bioE to IEOR. It's such a fantastic discipline.</p>
<p>Ok, that didn't help you at all.</p>
<p>For point 3, it seems like the reason that you are holding back from staying in the dorms is the cost. so the question is, how much money would you be willing to be to make good/fun memories of your college life?*</p>
<p>*Living in dorms does not guarantee a fun and memorable experience, but it usually does (no data to back up this claim, but I have yet to find one person who hates it).</p>
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<li>How competitive is the program? is it very cutthroat like EECS? </li>
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<p>no. it's not overly competitive. fairly laid back. this being said, you will have to work hard to make it to your JR year with a good GPA. But you should be OK. It's about the right amount of stress, it will keep you going without putting you anywhere near the danger zone.</p>
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<li>What types of jobs do the graduates tend to get? i'm actually interested in finance, and wonder how this major could help me. At the same time i dont mind working as an engineer if things dont work out.</li>
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<p>Finance is a definite option. You might want to go with the ORMS major for those types of classes, with a lot of stat electives. This will put you in a great position to do a masters in finance (1yr program) and land a technical career in finance. You can get a broader finance career either after that degree or after an MBA down the road.</p>
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<li>Is it a good idea to dorm for transfers?? Its pretty expensive but seems like a good idea to make friends..Or should i commute ? i have another option to live at my aunt's house in fremont.</li>
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<p>Yes, it's worth the expense. I would say try it for 1 semester, then move out your 2nd semester. Go where there are fewer freshmen. Make some good friends and move to a house with them, or get a room in a house with a good vibe, you'll get social life while minimizing costs. Forget your aunt's place, you can get a room for $500/mo. BARTing to Fremont 5 days/wk will cost you $200/mo (travel cost and opportunity costs of 10hrs/wk), and so your net rent is ~$300/mo, well worth it for your college experience. Your academics will also suffer if you live in fremont (group projects).</p>
<p>yea, i'm a transfer student so i cant change major...so i'm thinking of minoring in econ or bussiness so i'm prepared for finance careers, and is that doable in four years? or Should i just take more stats electives on the side?</p>
<p>After CalX's reply, i've decided to dorm. Living in the dorm for one semester sounds like a great idea while minimizing cost. Go bears!!!!</p>
<p>not sure, you might have to take summer school. Just go through the class schedules and requirements. You'll get into all of your engineering classes, but you might not get all your electives lined up on your Jr year.</p>
<p>Don't be afraid of going an extra semester if you have to. Graduating in winter is good in terms of the job search, you will have more time to look and prepare.</p>