Hi, I’m applying as an out of state student for EECS at Berkeley
I got an email today to submit my major prerequisites and in the strongly recommended courses section,
I have CS61A, CS61B,CS61C,CS70 but don’t have EL ENG16A and EL ENG 16B. These courses were not offered at my college. Do you guys think I have a chance to get in without these 2 recommended courses?
I’m worried that EECS is very competitive and most students will have these courses done, and also as an out of state student, there is a low chance for me to get admitted.
Those courses aren’t really offered anywhere so that should not be a hindrance. However, as I recall, EECS rarely admits students who aren’t from a CCC ( CA community college).
@Ohm888 Thanks for your reply! I know it will be hard for me but Berkeley is my top choice so I hope I can make it 
So here is some info that will be of use to you:
CS 61A - Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. This is the first “real” course that CS majors take. 98% of CS students take this class. It’s offered at a couple of community colleges in California, but it’s rare that you would find an equivalent for this class. This is a weeder class that separates the men from the boys so to speak, not necessarily super difficult but the class forces you to think like no other.
CS61B - Data Structures. This one is more lenient, if you’ve taken a Data Structures class before. During review the department usually will also want to make sure you’ve taken a C++ class and that you’ve written code with at least 1,000 lines in the class, so keep the syllabus handy.
CS70 - Discrete Math/Probability Theory. 0% chance that you can get credit for this class, even if you’ve taken a discrete math class. It’s a very proof oriented discrete math and probability class.
EE16A/EE16B - Designing Info Devices and Systems. It’s a circuit design class using proof-heavy applied Linear Algebra. if you’ve taken Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, you probably can bypass EE16A (they usually will still recommend that you retake it) but you will have to take EE16B. You will have to learn circuit design on your own.
I would say that for most transfer students, the most they would have would transferable would be the Data Structures and maybe the CS61A if they’ve taken that exact same class number at a California CC. Otherwise, I think what EECS will expect out of you would be this:
Programming background - Python, C++, Java, or at least a couple of them
Calc I, Calc II (mandatory)
Multivariate Calculus (probably mandatory)
Differential Equations/Linear Algebra (definitely helps)
Discrete Math / Calculus-based Statistics/Probability (helps)
School requirements:
Physics Mech (mandatory)
Physics E&M (mandatory)
Chem or Bio
1 year of English Reading and Composition
GE classes - Humanities - Arts and Literature, History, International, Philosophy, etc.
@ProfessorPlum168 Thank you for the information! I put CS 61A for 2 classes( basic introduction to computer science class & class which handles class objects arrays exceptional handling), CS 61B with my Data Structures class and CS70 with discrete mathematics(I won’t get credit) class. I have done python, C++,SQL before but never taken a class on it since our community college handles only java.
Do you think I can put differential equations and linear algebra in the EE16A course requirement? I 've already put those two classes in the Berkeley Linear Algebra requirement but do you think it will be okay to put in the two classes again? I’ve also used differential equations for the calculus 2 requirement as well with my calculus 2 class offered at my college.
@ProfessorPlum168 I actually don’t mind taking them again at Berkeley since I want a stronger knowledge of these basic low level classes. I just want to fulfill my requirements so that I might have a slight chance of admission as an out of state student
@SKYDMZ yeah I would put the Diff Equations and Linear Algebra for EE16A. If you happened to have any circuitry design classes or the like, you could put it in there too I suppose.
If you use the assist.org website (pick a random community college such as DeAnza College or Laney College as your community college) you’ll get a lot more articulation information.
@skydmz Diff EQ and Linear are NOT matching EE 16A. It clearly shows that on assist. Do not put them in as matching a course that is not offered anywhere. Admissions isn’t stupid. Simply list the courses that match.
It’s really important that correct information is handed out up here. As noted, there basically is no place those two courses (16A and 16B) are offered. Berkeley knows it and does not penalize people. Trying to game the system or do something that isn’t correct won’t help you and could harm you.
EE16A is a good part an applied Linear Algebra class along with circuit design. Math 54 (Linear Algebra) can be substituted for the EE16A class in many circumstances, and they tell you that you’ll have to pick up circuit design on your own. The articulation for Math 54 is Linear Algebra and Differential Equations.
“Strongly recommended courses” in this case means courses that are required for the major but may not be widely available at community colleges or other schools where transfer students may apply from. If you do not take them before transfer but are admitted, you will have to “catch up” after transfer, possibly delaying graduation.
https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/eecs/degree-reqs-lowerdiv
Note that Math 54 or other math course containing linear algebra is not accepted in lieu of EE 16A, but a student may be allowed to take EE 47D instead of EE 16A if s/he has had linear algebra before (but EE 16A is recommended anyway).
If you wish to preview the UCB EE and CS courses or compare them with courses at your current school, you can do so here: https://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/classes-eecs.html
As a practical matter, some notes about the other courses:
- CS 61A: originally a Scheme-based course using *Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs*, it is now a Python-based course covering similar concepts. If your have taken a CS course using SICP, it may have a better chance of being accepted for CS 61A than most introductory CS courses.
- CS 61B: Data structures. See the course home pages to compare content with data structures course(s) at your current school.
- CS 61C: Machine structures. See the course home pages to compare content with machine structures and/or computer organization course(s) at your current school.
- CS 70: Discrete math and probability theory. You may be more likely to get credit if you have taken both a discrete math course and a probability theory course at your current school. See the course home pages for topics covered.
Some of the above info might be dated. For example, I don’t think anyone gets a free pass for CS70 anymore, but maybe there are exceptions. I think an email to CS-advising@berkeley.edu might clarify things, they are usually very good at responding, well at least with current students.
The info I provided is applicable to current student experience including that of my kid’s. It may not necessarily be the same as what admissions is looking for.
The best approach is to always go by assist, especially with a highly selective major such as EE. Admissions will make any alternate determination on its own, if applicable. I think for any student, especially an OOS applicant, to try and put that in as fulfilling something when all public signs say it doesn’t and when it is clearly not the protocol, is not the best advice. OP has those two math courses that fulfill other areas. If admissions wishes to apply them in additional ways, that’s their call, not the OP’s. That’s just my concern here, giving out info that could be wrong — or worse, harmful to applicant. It’s not even a necessary thing to do. It’s not altering anything.
@Ohm888 I agree with your idea that information that is not clear or wrong is not necessary and doesn’t alter anything. I appreciate your words thank you very much
@ProfessorPlum168 Thanks for the advice I appreciate your words and information!
@SKYDMZ good luck with things and let us know. OOS transfers are a longshot because of the prioritization, but I’m sure UCs love OOS students for their full pay, so you never know. Hopefully you’ve got a 4.0 GPA or very close to it, for starters. Getting into EECS is actually statistically slightly easier via transfer than straight out of HS, geography issues aside.
@ProfessorPlum168 Thanks for your kind words I will let you know when the results come out! I actually do have a 4.0 GPA but out of state… 
Thank you for your time I appreciate your advice and time for helping me out