Im thinking about applying for transferring, and I have a 3.5. im a sophmore but I only have 35 units because ive been going through medical things this semester and last semester. So by the end of fall 2018, i will have 65 units, and a study abroad spring 2019 semester.
That wouldnt really get me into the CS or CS & engineering programs, as those you need like 3.7+ to transfer into.
However, I saw that UCLA has something called “Linguistics & CS”. Its LNS, but I was wondering why it has linguistics added in. What makes it different?
The reason Im interested in it, is because it has a 70% accept rate, and the gpa range is 3.5-3.7
So that means that I actually have a chance at getting in if I raise my gpa the next two semesters, and the study abroad the semester after that. That chance is the reason I am interested in more info about the major. Since linguistics + CS seems like an odd combo. What is the difference from just CS or just linguistics? Is it basically a double major?
Thanks!
I wouldn’t say it’s like a double major. I was actually interested in this major, but I ultimately went to USC where I majored in computational linguistics. By the looks of it, it is basically half of a linguistics degree and half of a computer science degree. You will be exposed to the typical lower division requirements for CS, but you won’t have to take the same number of upper division/elective courses that a “true” computer science major would take. At the same time, you will have to take linguistics courses and foreign language courses. In the end, you’ll basically be a linguist who knows how to program. This can potentially limit the range of jobs you’d get after graduating. You may have to work a little harder to get the same jobs as pure CS/engineering majors, but if you make the most out of your time at UCLA, this difference could be negligible.
As you’ve said, CS at UCLA is difficult to get into because of how overcrowded it is. If you don’t have a 3.9 GPA and are missing more than one requirement, your chances are basically 0%. For this reason, it is unlikely you will be able to switch into the CS major after you transfer, so make sure ling & cs is something you would be happy with. Not many community colleges offer courses in linguistics, so it is hard to get a feel for it. Look into it and see if it something you would like. I actually hated the phonetics/phonology component of the intro course I took at USC - and I even failed the exams. My overall grade in the course was very average. To make matters worse, you have to take an upper division version of these areas, lol 
I managed to get a B, but eesh, phonology isn’t really my thing. Syntax is very fun though and the trees even remind me of binary trees! So the major is definitely a fun combo. We actually used a textbook written by Bruce Hayes (a UCLA prof) in my phonology class, so if this major is something you are into, you’ll be learning from some of the best in the field.
If you have any other questions, let me know 