Transfer now or one more year?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>I really hate doing these type of things last minute but my summer schedule got the best out of me and made me forgot about Fall registration (its on july 1st)</p>

<p>Anyways, i'd like to keep things short and simple, and thank you for any input!
I am currently a CC student looking to transfer to Berkeley as an EECS admit. My dilemma/question is whether to transfer in 2 years (from starting CC) or 3 years?</p>

<p>I started community college last fall (fall 13), here is a list of all the classes i have taken:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>FALL 2013 (5)
COUN 200B (counseling class, not transferable)
MATH 2 (pre-calc)
PSYC 1 (for breadth/ge)
WR 201 (intro to writing basically, not trasnferable)
WR 280
SEMESTER TOTAL: 12.00</p></li>
<li><p>SPRING 2014 (5)
CS 36 (C programming)
HUM 70 (breadth/ge)
MATH 3A (CORE CLASSES, Calc 1)
MATH 3B (CORE CLASSES, Calc 2)
WR 1 (CORE CLASSES, for eng)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>SEMESTER TOTAL: 20.00</p>

<ul>
<li>SUMMER 2014 (4)</li>
</ul>

<p>CHEM 1A (required science)
CS 38 (java programming)
WR 2 (CORE CLASSES, for eng)
SEMESTER TOTAL: 11.00</p>

<p>Here is the assist for my school and berkeley:
<a href="http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=IRVINE&ria=UCB&ia=IRVINE&oia=UCB&aay=13-14&ay=14-15&dora=EECS"&gt;http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=IRVINE&ria=UCB&ia=IRVINE&oia=UCB&aay=13-14&ay=14-15&dora=EECS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>As assist lists, the core classes REQUIRED for the admission is as follows:</p>

<ul>
<li>UCB Math 1A, 1B (I have completed this)</li>
<li>UCB Math 53, 54</li>
<li>UCB Physics 7A, 7B</li>
<li>UCB English R1A and R1B (I have Completed this)</li>
<li>One from UCB Astronomy 7A or 7B or Bio 1A & 1AL or Bio 1B or Chem 1A/1AL or Chem 1B or Chem 3A/L or 3B/L or Mcellbi 32 & 32L or Physics 7C ( have completed this with Chem 1A).</li>
</ul>

<p>so what really stands is :
- UCB Math 53, 54
- UCB Physics 7A, 7B</p>

<p>Now, for this incoming Fall 14, i am planning on taking :</p>

<p>MATH 24 4.00 (partly satisfies Math 54 from Berkeley)
MATH 4A 5.00 (satisfies Math 53 from Berkeley
PHYS 4A 4.00 (satisfies physics 7A from Berkeley)
CS 37 3.00 (not required, i don think it satisfies anything at Berkeley, and i might drop this to ease the load)</p>

<p>SEMESTER TOTAL: 16.00</p>

<p>and for this Spring 15:</p>

<p>CS 41 3.00 (partly satisfies Comp Sci 61B, i'd have to take a small class at Berkeley to finish)
MATH 26 4.00 (fully satisfies math 54 from Berkeley)
PHYS 4B 4.00 (satisfies physics 7B from Berkeley)</p>

<p>SEMESTER TOTAL: 11.00</p>

<p>so my main question is this, do you think this is a good schedule to follow or i should expand my Fall 14 and Spring 15 schedule? Initially i had been set on finishing in three years to ensure my good GPA, which currently for Fall 13 and spring 15 is 4.0, and summer classes look promising in keeping that GPA. However i fear taking physics along with two big math classes, and not sure whether its a good idea or not. I'm relatively good at math, however i have zero experience in physics.</p>

<p>I am not sure if its worth taking these classes together, or just go for a three year transfer. with a three year, i can complete more computer language classes, physics 7C and take more E.C. activities to ensure a better chance at admission. I have completed 4 of the general requirements GE they require with finishing my english classes and Psyc and HUM 70, along with the core classes. I'm just not sure anymore and could use some advice or guidance.</p>

<p>thoughts? </p>

2

<p>I recommend doing 3 years at CC. Most STEM majors do that anyway, and it will give you more time to complete the pre-reqs you need to gain admission to Berkeley. Developing those ECs will matter, too. Berkeley’s EECS major is notoriously difficult to gain admission to, so you’ll need all the preparation and other advantages you can get to gain admission.</p>

<p>I think you’ll be fine in your physics classes if you’re good at math. I had a friend who was once a mechanical engineering major, and he told me that the kinds of physics classes engineering majors take at CC are basically math classes with lots of word problems…applied math, basically. If you struggle with word problems, then you might need tutoring in that, but the <em>math</em> in those physics classes shouldn’t be a problem if you study enough.</p>

<p>Talk to @failure622 or @UCBChemEGrad if you want more specific(and more helpful advice); they’ve both graduated from Berkeley’s EECS program and can answer your questions better than I can.</p>

3

<p>You know your limits better than we do. If you’re good at math and love techy subjects, I think it’s do-able. But your background (any highschool physics? self studied CS? etc.) and professors (ask around, what are the rumors, the workloads?) can drastically affect things. You’ve been at your CC for a year already, so you should have a feel for how much work different kinds of classes will assign.</p>

<p>When it comes to taking extra/more CS classes… well, yes and no. I think it helps during admissions, since it shows you’re really interested in the subject, can’t wait to take more, and that you (hopefully) get an A+ in every CS class you take. :stuck_out_tongue: You should also have a plan B in mind… Berkeley admissions are unpredictable, especially for EECS, so you should aim to be on track for other UCs as well… even a 4.0 doesn’t guarantee anything. That said, I was ~3.7 when I transferred, so non-4.0 won’t kill you either. But chances are other schools you apply to probably want those CS classes you’re considering. I’d also suggest taking Discrete Math if you haven’t already, it won’t articulate at Cal but wow it moves fast. Having a solid background with proofs/induction/probability can really help when you hit CS70.</p>

<p>Computer language classes would probably be a waste of time. Berkeley will throw you into new languages constantly, and you’re expected to pick them up pretty quick. If you know Python/Ruby and Java/C++/C#, you shouldn’t have trouble picking up anything else that’s thrown at you. Learn one or two languages very very well, learn general CS concepts/principles, and it should be easy to pick up new languages.</p>

<p>As for two years vs three… it doesn’t sound like you’d have much else to put in your schedule? Maybe try writing out the other version of your schedule and decide whether or not you’d be totally bored by it. But you’ll get better answers to “is this schedule too much” if you ask people who know your specific CC/professors.</p>

4

<p>As for highschool, i didnt take any physics but i have gotten As in all most all my math classes, including college, and it is one of my favorite subjects. So as far my fall schedule goes, I do believe i can handle the load of physics, and the math classes, and i might even drop CS37 to ease the load. I wouldnt mind a B i one of the classes, I’m not a freak about my GPA. I do my math hw in our math center where there is math tutors and physic tutors, so help is always readily at hand. </p>

<p>For computer classes, i have so far completed C programming, and will complete Java this summer with all As. I do have a background with computers but i wouldn’t say a coding background, more general like putting computers together, networking, ect… I do part time work for two offices, where i maintain their databases and resolve any computer related issues, like an IT tech i’d guess, but not as advanced. </p>

<p>With that said, what i am settling on is to take physics and two math classes in fall, with MAYBE C++, and i am taking them with some of the best teachers available so that should help. My plan is to go with the listed fall and spring schedule and apply mainly to berkeley EECS, maybe UCI…ect, and plan B is to wait another year, complete more classes like the ones you listed such as discrete math, assembly languages…ect to really give me an edge even though the classes may not count as credit. </p>

<p>thoughts? is it worth the risk of taking 3 core classes? originally i had planned everything over a 3 year span and everything was more spaced out, but i feel like getting two shots at admission sounds better right? ill apply this year, and if i dont get in reapply next year along with other UCs such as UCI UCLA…ect</p>

<p>& any E.C. activities you recommend?</p>

<p>thank you for the help!</p>

<p>@failure622‌ @Cayton‌ </p>

<p>edit: one more thing, i was planning on taking data structures for partial credit for 61B, and for completion to finish CS 47B at berkeley, however fullerton college offers a data strcutures class that is fully counted at 61B, do you think its worth the commute (about 20 mins without traffic) to take it there rather than just taking it here and finishing CS 47B at berkeley? i do understand CS 47B is a 1 unit class, it should be easy correct?</p>

5

<p>here is also another thread i started before i was recommended to post here, in case for more detail is needed:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1663366-future-eecs-transfer-questions-urgent.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1663366-future-eecs-transfer-questions-urgent.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>@failure622‌ what is your opinion on taking C++? currently looking at the class schedule, i can have physics in the morning and math afternoon, giving me a decent space inbetween each class, but with this schedule i cant take c++, however if i take phsyics in the afternoon, it gives me a 10 minute window from phsyics to math, and that way i can take c++. thoughts? </p>

7

<p>Java and C++ are very similar. Taking Comp Sci 1 in Java and then going back and taking Comp Sci 1 in C++ will mostly be a waste of time. Apart from a few small differences (pointers and memory management), the two languages are very similar and I don’t think you’d benefit all that much from taking both… especially if you already know C. Learning new concepts is going to help you more than learning new languages (like taking data structures or assembly).</p>

<p>A 20 minute commute isn’t bad at all… I’ve done 40-60 minute commutes a couple times, including my current schedule. I haven’t taken CS47B, I decided to go ahead and retake data structures after transfer (hooray, summer 61BL for a third year in a row!). Never assume anything will be easy here, especially not CS. If it’s 1 unit it’ll probably be less work than normal 61B, but it’s still probably more work than you’d expect from it.</p>

<p>As for ECs, anything tech-y looks good. Math competitions, robotics clubs, pet projects (coding or EE/circuit things?), internships you might’ve had, I dunno. Otherwise, just do what you find interesting. It’s kinda silly to do an EC just so you can list it on your app.</p>

8

<p>Thanks @failure622‌, i went ahead and dropped CS37 (c++) from my schedule, and ill be taking phys, Calc 3, and differentials! Im going to apply this year, and if i dont get in im going to stay another year, take extra classes like discrete math, python, and do an internship over the summer as well and re-apply at berkeley along with other colleges. thanks again</p>