Hi I am a Cal Computer Science-intended student with a 3.1 GPA. I will not be meeting the GPA requirement to declare CS at Berkeley so I was wondering what my chances are of transferring into the college of engineering (for CS) of the above schools?
Thanks
I would say that Ucla and UCSD are not realistic options with a 3.1. I don’t know enough about UCSB to give an opinion. I would say Riverside, Merced, maybe Santa Cruz are more realistic options for your major with that GPA. You should also look into CSUs.
A 3.1 at Cal will likely be viewed as stronger than a 3.1 at a CCC, but it’s still a 3.1. You may find that going to a CCC boost your GPA might be a good option if UCLA and UCSD are really where you want to be.
Here is a link for transfers by major for the UC’s: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
Sorry I tried to edit my post but it didn’t allow me. My CS GPA is 3.1 but my overall GPA is 3.5. Would you still consider those schools a long shot?
Why are you set on CS? If you’re performing relatively poorly in CS (compared to your other classes), then it may not be for you. CS is hard as hell at Cal, I get it - but perhaps you should evaluate why you want to study CS, whether or not it’s something you want to do for the rest of your life, etc.
If you are certain you want to study CS - why not minor in CS at Cal and major in something related (like Cognitive Science, Math, etc.)? It’s very unlikely that any of those schools will accept you for CS. You can also major in something totally unrelated. A CS minor should provide you with a solid foundation. Couple a CS minor with related internships (etc.), and you can still pursue CS after college.
I’m considering majoring in Applied Math with a concentration in CS and a minor in CS but I’m not sure how I’ll fare against the thousands of CS majors out there. I’ve gone to career fairs and felt hopeless against the thousands of more competent EECS and CS majors at my school so I’m desperate to head to any other UC for a CS degree. I’m so passionate about CS that I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
I’m with @goldencub on this.
It may seem dire, but it really isn’t. Once you leave the Berkeley bubble, you’ll see just how much better off you are compared other graduates–even CS grads from other schools.
Cal is hard, but, with that GPA, your better sticking it out here in another major versus transferring out and being on the outside looking in at a CS major elsewhere.
That said: your major is not your career.
While you might not get on your dream career path as quickly as someone who is in EECS/L&S CS, an understated beauty of Cal is that we offer BA requirements that are significantly more versatile compared to pretty much every other UC/CSU. There is nothing stopping you from learning the CS material you want to learn as a non-CS major here.
Get as much CS classes as you can here on your way to a diploma. Use your passion, the experience you’ll undoubtedly get from the classes here, and the Berkeley name to get into the field afterward.
Applied Math with a minor in CS is a good option. Ask CS seniors/grads which classes are sought after by employers, and take them. I agree with @SDGoldenBear, and I can’t stress this enough: “Get as much CS classes as you can here on your way to a diploma. Use your passion, the experience you’ll undoubtedly get from the classes here, and the Berkeley name to get into the field afterward.”
You’ll have to be proactive, but that’s not at all a bad thing. You already stand out with a 3.5 overall GPA from Berkeley - keep up the good work. Apply for CS related internships. Even if you aren’t a CS major, you still have a background in coding and you go to Berkeley. From what I understand, that’s something employers won’t take lightly.
Good luck! To reiterate, transferring is not a good option for you. You won’t gain anything by transferring (as it’s doubtful that any of those schools would take you for CS.) This isn’t a bad thing, though; you’re definitely not losing anything by staying at Berkeley.
Those not in the EECS or L&S CS majors do have lesser priority for enrolling in CS classes. Note that L&S CS caps enrollment (with the GPA threshold) in order to avoid having more majors than it can offer class space for.
https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/cs/degree-reqs/enrollment-policy