I applied as a engineering major to all the UCs, except UCSD (Computer Science) and UCB (Letters and Science). I was accepted to UCB, UCI, and UCSB. However, I didn’t get my first choice major at SB, so I decided to not go there. I’m now stuck between Berkeley and Irvine. On one hand, I really want to go to Berkeley, because of the ample opportunities I will have there (relative to Irvine). I’m also really surprised/excited that I got in, because I never expected to. I want to make use of this opportunity, because I may never get a second chance like this in the future.
On the other hand, I’m worried about the fact that everyone in Letters and Science gets in undeclared. I’m unsure if I should take the risk for Computer Science, due to the possibility that I may not get a high enough GPA. Even though I have a couple backup options, I don’t know if I will enjoy those majors as much. At UCI, I got accepted for Computer Engineering, so I don’t have to worry about actually getting my major; I just have to go in and get started.
What do you guys think I should do?
@QuiteAverage90
Have you taken any computer science class before?
If yes, how did you do on it?
@StevenToCollege I haven’t taken AP CS or Java in school, but I have self-studied on my own. This year, I took an online intro to java class at CSU San Bernardino, which was a pass/no pass class. I did well enough to pass the course. (I don’t remember what the requirements were.)
@QuiteAverage90
Followings please find some links to course materials and old exams from Berkeley.
Perhaps you can preview them during the Summer if you decide to enroll at Berkeley.
Course materials:
http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/classes-eecs.html
Old exams:
https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/
I’m not sure what you bumped this for.
Noone, yourself included, can say for any level of certainty that you will or will not be accepted to CS major at UCB L&S. Noone can say how much a sure CS major at UCI is worth more or less than a maybe CS major at UCB.
I think @StevenToCollege already gave you the best answer: view the materials/old exams and determine for yourself how much you can master them and whether you can ace the classes.
I have a few friends that are in the CS program at UCI. Two dropped, they did not like it at all. The other two that stayed didn’t really have any options because they didn’t apply to other schools. I’d say go to Berkeley and work hard, play it safe and apply to other schools this Fall and if you don’t like it or are not successful consider different schools to transfer to. Also, look at some CSUs such as SJSU. They have an excellent CS program. I’d consider this as a backup school to apply to this Fall. Oh, UCI is on quarters which is not that great when it comes to retaining material. Semesters provides you with some extra time to really learn the material. Quarters= 10 weeks, semesters = 18 weeks.
A quarter is about 10 weeks of instruction, while a semester is about 15 weeks of instruction. 18 weeks for a semester would include final exam days and stuff like that.
Update: I ended up committing to UC Berkeley, because I wanted the challenge of attending a top public school. Plus, on Cal Day, I got a really welcoming and supportive vibe from the CS professors.