So I’m in a weird position. I’m currently in my second year of community college and the plan was to transfer to UCLA as a computer science major. The problem is that I found out that the counselors basically put me on a three year path where I’ve been taking some GE’s and only 12 or so credits a semester. UCLA and some other UC’s has a lot of requirements of math and physics and cs classes. Talking recently with a new counselor, he said I could still apply to UCLA (don’t believe it) and have a TAG UC as well. He also said to think about San Jose and cal poly as they are good too. What would you guys do in this situation? The chance of getting into UCLA is hard enough and without fulfilling the recommended classes beforehand, it seems like a easy rejection. Most likely my TAG to UCI will be accepted and maybe even a few CSU’s. Do I wait another year to try again with prep classes completed? Or go straight to a UC? An extra year seems like a waste of time or maybe it’s better because I would have done another year anyway at a UC? So that’s possibly an argument for saving money. Thanks to anyone who tries to make sense of this.
Anyone can apply to UCLA…
What CCC do you go to? The counseling does not sound very good. Anyway, what I suggest is figuring out the requirements at all the schools you mentioned to apply. Are you sure you satisfy UCI TAG requirements?
I suggest you sit down and plan out a schedule at each of the schools that assumes you were accepted. You know what classes you’ll have credit for, so at each school figure out what you’d need to take as a CS major to graduate. The good news is its all online; you don’t need to go to a local library and pore over an outdated paper catalog. In fact most departments have sample curriculum posted; for example Irvine at https://www.ics.uci.edu/ugrad/2017-18_CS_4YearPlan.pdf When you are done you’ll know whether you can graduate in 2 years if you transferred after this year. Anyone out here is just guessing at the answers to your questions regarding time, do the research and you will know.
Tough to give advice without your current stats - but, I’d say a guaranteed seat at a mid-range CSU beats a maybe for a UC a year from now. This is particularly true for a demonstrable skill like coding. Show me one of your projects is more often the interview focus than - How 'bout those Bruins this year?
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
As this tool illustrates, UCLA had a 5% acceptance rate for CS transfers last year. Even with perfect grades and just the right classes, there’s an element of luck to that. TAGing to UCI or UCSC is a pretty straightforward process, the UCI classes are linked above and a UCSC is a quick google search away. Most people have a tougher time with the GPA threshold than the classes.
I’d also add that CPSLO and SJSU are tougher transfer admits for CS than UCSC and probably UCI (due to Tag).
What’s your current GPA?
My GPA is a 3.7. It’s like I want to test my luck with waiting another year because that’s how I feel (no regrets), but at the same time it’s probably smarter to go to UCI now then later.