<p>I am transfer student and I am accepted at USC and UW (UW for this summer quarter).
I am a computer science major, and I only want to take CS as my only major.
However, I am accepted at UW as a pre-science(intended major CS).This is because I have not completed my second programming class, which is a prerequisite for the CSE department.
I have a 3.72 gpa and 77 semester credits at my previous university (a 4-year state Univ.), most credits are general education credits.</p>
<p>I definitely like Udub very much, which has a perfect computer science program, but I am worried that I won't get into the department so easily, because I heard that the application process is so competitive. Therefore, I am looking for advice from UW students.</p>
<p>By the way, the cost is not a critical factor, and I am an international student.
Does anyone can give me a suggestion about my choice?
I would really appreciate it!
Thanks.</p>
<p>How are your grades for your intro cs class? And calculus? Any sciences (physics, chem, or bio)? Your overall GPA is strong, but these are the classes that will have heavy GPA emphasis on during the admissions process.</p>
<p>Did you get into USC’s comp sci school directly? Although I am a UW CSE student and would love for you to join us, I must also throw in a word for USC. They have a great program. They would have different research opportunities than UW CSE but in terms of a future in industry, you can’t go wrong with either school.</p>
<p>speedsolver:
Thank you so much for your reply!
At my previous University (Univ. of Arizona), we don’t have an exact GPA for every class; We only have plain letter grades. (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1)
For prerequisites, I have:
Calculus1 A
Calclulus2 A
English Composition A
Intro computers A
General Chemistry1 B
Intro Mechanics (Physics) C
And I also took several natural science classes (Astronomy, Botany, Natural Climate etc.) and got all A.
The reason why I got a C in my physics class is because at the University of Arizona, the physics class was pretty difficult and the average was like a 50%. The majority of people failed the class. I tried my best but still only ended up with a C grade. So sad!
I had an overall GPA of 3.92 when I was transferring, and this physics class ruined my GPA and now I only have a 3.72. :(</p>
<p>Besides, I have talked with an adviser at CSE, and he said my current GPA is slightly lower than most successful transfer applicants and my chances are really hard to predict. He would like to see what grade I am going to get in CSE143.</p>
<p>To answer your question: Yes, I got into the computer science department of Viterbi Engineering School at USC directly. (They don’t have such a CSE application as UW has)</p>
<p>Personally speaking, I prefer the weather in Seattle (I love raining XD) and the computer science program at UW, but the fact that I have not been accepted to the department makes me hesitate to make my final decision. I want to graduate on time (in two years), so I am afraid of applying for the department repeatedly.</p>
<p>I have self-learned computer science for some years, so I am confident that I am able to get a good GPA in the CSE143. But I think my physics and chemistry grades may ruin my CSE application.</p>
<p>Hmm, I would agree with the adviser. The most successful transfer applicants’ GPAs are probably from community colleges around the area (from what I hear from others, anyway). </p>
<p>How confident are you in physics? Are you willing to retake it while taking CSE 143 here at UW? If you bump up that GPA significantly, you can really show admissions how you know the material. I don’t think the B in chem will kill your application.</p>
<p>Since you’re confident you’ll do well in CSE 143, you could take the chance to come. Have you looked at the course site (cs.uw.edu/143) and gauged your confidence based on the course info?</p>
<p>Ahhh I don’t want to give you advice to come to UW and have you become disappointed if you have to apply multiple times or even not get into the department if things don’t go as planned. </p>
<p>However, the CSE department here is phenomenal and personally, it would be a risk that I would be willing to take.</p>
<p>I had to decide between UW and USC, too, and I chose UW. I’m a direct admit, but until mid-April, I didn’t know that so I was trying to make the same decision as you are. These are the factors I considered: </p>
<p>UW
top 10 CS department
honors college
departmental honors program
better math department
lots of research opportunities
lots of internship/co-op opportunities</p>
<p>USC
warm weather
smaller class sizes
great sense of community and school spirit
better ranked overall
no stress about getting into the CS department</p>
<p>I’m not currently in the CSE department but I’m hoping for Fall admission. To help with my application I’m taking a class inside the department, and I have to say that I completely love the environment. The students, professors, facilities, are all outstanding. So even if I fail in being admitted, I definitely won’t regret giving it my best shot. You probably will have to work your butt off since it’s pretty competitive, but it’s worth it, and definitely doable if you really want it!</p>
<p>Unless you’re direct admit, your odds of getting in the CSE department are dismal, and getting denied is a very common occurrence. Many people I know in other engineering majors (especially EE) gave up on the idea of being admitted and relegated themselves to a backup major. It’s a stressful environment and every quarter you worry about whether your grades are good enough.</p>
<p>The fact of the matter is, unless you’re seriously considering going directly into graduate studies (which nearly nobody does, considering the lucrative job market), almost no employer cares where you got your undergraduate CS degree. The only thing that matters is that you study the right classes, go to a school that you want, and get good grades.</p>
<p>The only thing the UW could offer (if you ever got in) would maybe be a larger selection of internship and undergraduate research opportunities (since it’s first and foremost a research institution).</p>
<p>speedsolver
thank you. I have decided to go to UW. I plan to retake my physics and try my best in the CSE 143. Probably I’m not going to be able to graduate in two years, but I think a CS degree at UW is worth it.</p>
<p>To answer your question: I have looked the course info and I think the material is not difficult to me. The only thing that I have been worrying about is my physics grade. I will retake it at UW. </p>
<p>About the application, I plan to give my first try through the Accelerated Application after taking CSE 143, if I don’t get in, then I am going to apply for next spring through the regular application. If I still don’t get lucky, then probably next fall?..:(</p>
<p>However, I am a hard working person and I don’t think they will reject me over again if I maintain a very high GPA at UW. </p>
<p>Anyway, I will do my best.
Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to utilize tutors or your classmates for help if you ever need it. Your professors and TAs (especially in CSE 143) are amazing. Get to know them really well and they can give you more insight on applying as well (although being in CSE is not a prereq to TAing 142/143).</p>
<p>Feel free to drop me a PM if you ever want to.</p>
Hi all, does retaking a class reduce the chances of being admitted to UW main campus? My major is CS. I do got 4.0 in CSC142 and 3.6 in CSC 143 but failed in English 102 (2.6), I retook it and got 4.0 to boost my overall G.p.a.
Also does extracurricular matter that much? I did extracurricular activities but never took the initiative to either write in my personal statement or send a record of them. My personal statement was horrible too. Do you guys think I have any chance of getting to either my major or atleast general admission? I did not apply to other Universities too.
@thaipq I kinda started to worry about retaking the class yesterday because my classmate failed in CSC 143, she talked to administration and they told her they prefered if she passed with the first trial. So am not sure whether, other people are experiencing the same thing. Am not even sure if it applies to other classes or CS related classes to.
