Questions about UC Davis, Cal Poly SLO, Chapman University (Computer Science)

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<p>By the end of high school (soon entering my senior year) I’ll have enough AP exam credits such that I may be able to graduate from college early (in around three years I would like to think). I plan on majoring in computer science, and the three schools I’ve been looking into each have some things I find very attractive and some things I find rather discouraging/ confusing/ unattractive.</p>

<p>(All of this is assuming I get accepting into each respective school, of course)</p>

<p>I’ll start with UC Davis: If I go the Davis route, I will probably spend one year in community college, and then (with the help of AP credit) will transfer to Davis and complete my major work in about two years. </p>

<p>Pros:
-Even though I’m only in high school, this plan already seems pretty feasible. If there’s any extra work I need to do or if I want to get even more ahead in terms of credit, I could take summer classes at either my cc or later on at Davis
-I’ve lived in southern California my entire life and, with two minor exceptions, I’ve never left. Being somewhere else for a while would be nice, and because I’ll be able to go to a community college first, the transition won’t be too sudden, and I’ll have more time to look into the physical campus, the general surrounding area, etc.
-It’s very likely that I’ll be perusing a masters degree, and from what I’ve heard, this school is geared towards that</p>

<p>Cons:
-I may or may not face complications in trying to satisfy GE requirements with AP credit. Hopefully because I’d be going to a community college first, this won’t be an issue
-I’ve heard not so great things about the Computer Science program at Davis compared to my other options (Cal Poly in particular). Generally I try not to put much weight on school reputations without doing extensive research, but as of now I don’t know enough about Davis’s program to make any reasonable judgement concerning quality.
-I don’t know of anyone else applying to this school, or even who lives in the general area, so if I get in, I’ll pretty much be on my own as far as getting around and off-campus living space</p>

<p>Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: As I said above, I try not to put too much weight on school reputations, but being one of the highest ranked schools in the CSU system, SLO has really captured my attention and interest.</p>

<p>Pros:
-Whether or not the whole “hands on learning” thing is a truth or a gimmicky catch phrase, the prospect really appeals to me. As much as theory interest me, I learn best by actually applying things to the physical world
-Although I’d have to go out of my way, even beyond GEs, to take classes that aren’t directly related to my major/ minor, this is probably in part a good thing because I’d be getting a much more rounded education
-From what I’ve heard, I’ll have very good job prospects when I graduate
-I have friends who are planning to apply to Cal Poly, and if we all got accepted, it would be much easier to find a place to live off campus</p>

<p>Cons:
-The whole idea of going to a community college and then transferring will be pretty much made obsolete if I go with Cal Poly, because their transfer requirements are impossible to fulfill at my cc in two years, never mind one
-GE will present much more of an obstacle at Cal Poly than at any of my other options
-Computer Science is part of the engineering department at Cal Poly, and as I understand it, it’s very difficult to finish their engineering programs in 4 years, never-mind 3
-Due to some of their extensive graduation requirements, I’ll have to take some classes I currently have no interest in, and won’t be able to have a minor if I want to graduate in three years (which I definitely would if I’m going straight there)
-Apparently one of the huge attractions for this school is it’s proximity to the coast, but despite living in southern California, I really don’t care for the beach (although the weather is nice).</p>

<p>Chapman University: Most private schools haven’t held my attention for too long, but Chapman genuinely interests me. As with the Davis option, if I went with Chapman, I would be going to community college first and then transferring</p>

<p>Pros:
-One of my goals is to get into the film industry eventually, and even though I plan to major in computer science, Chapman’s reputation for having a very strong film program may do justice to my own prospects
-I like Chapman’s approach to declaring minors more than either of my other options (I would like to minor in philosophy, and at Chapman, I could almost double major in philosophy)
-As with Cal Poly, I have multiple friends applying to Chapman, and if we all get in, living off campus would be much more feasible</p>

<p>Cons:

  • The $$$, even if I transfer from a community college
  • There are some computer science classes I would have to take before transferring into their computer science program, which aren’t offered at my intended community college, so I’d need to find a way to deal with that
  • I’d still be in Southern California, although in a different part than I currently am</p>

<p>I have more minor points to make for all of these options, and these schools aren’t necessarily the only three I’d be willing to attend, but for now, this list pretty much sums up what I believe I have to work with. If anyone can clear up any of my points of concern or confusion, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!</p>

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<p>Cal Poly’s Learn by doing is real. For every technical lecture you have will be accompanied by a lab class. Upon entering your penultimate year at Cal Poly, you will be required to complete a undergraduate thesis (called senior project) under the supervision of your thesis advisor that encapsulates everything you have learned in your major while at SLO. </p>

<p>Given that said, graduating in 3 years will be challenging because the major curriculum unit count is very sizable for a STEM major. Also, most students will also take time off to complete a co-op lasting 2 quarters. These co-ops typically lead to a job offer after graduation. </p>

<p>One of the main attractions of Cal Poly (besides the academics, students, and location/climate) is a very strong career placement success of its students. </p>

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<p>Current rising junior at UCD majoring in CS here.</p>

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<p>While I suppose you could do that, keep in mind that UCs accept far more junior transfer applicants than sophomore transfers. Plus AP credits don’t apply towards GEs here (except English composition, at least in the College of Letters and Science), so you’ll have to take that into account.</p>

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<p>As I said above, you can’t use AP credit towards GEs, besides certain English composition requirements. Even those depend on the college, I believe.</p>

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<p>UCD isn’t known for CS, but that doesn’t mean the CS department is bad either. Davis is mostly known for bio, so most other majors end up looked over at least a little where reputation is concerned. Anyway, UCD offers the main “core” classes that CS majors are generally expected to take before graduation. The main area it lacks in, if you ask me, is the amount of electives for certain specialities. If you have a specific specialty in mind, take a look at the course catalog and see if the courses offered could meet your needs (for what it’s worth, it’s a good idea to do that at any school you’re considering if you’re looking for something specific).</p>

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<p>Eh, I was in a similar situation (though I’m from the bay area so it’s not like family is super far away) and I’m doing just fine. This one just depends on the person.</p>

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<p>@Deekku Thank you for the response. But would a co-op be crucial to career placement success right out of the gate if I plan on getting a master’s degree? I imagine that would involve internships as well. I don’t know, what would be better?</p>

<p>@‌PhantomVirgo If I transferred to Davis from a community college using IGETC, would they care whether or not I used AP credit to satisfy parts of IGETC? Technically speaking I wouldn’t be applying any AP credits to their general ed program because I would be waiving their general ed program entirely. And would I not be considered a junior transfer if I had over 60 transferable credits (AP + cc courses)?</p>

<p>And as far as specialties go, I don’t have anything specific in mind. Are their any major “specialties” that you would say are distinctly neglected by Davis’s elective offerings? Thank you for your response.</p>

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<p>@philosofish, I think you may be over rating what your APs are worth. You can look at each of the schools to see what credit you will actually get. Cal Poly is best school of the three, and if you take some of you undergraduate courses at the CC, and GE’s you might be able to graduate in 3, but if I were you I would look at their blended master’s program <a href=“https://www.csc.calpoly.edu/programs/bsms-csc/”>https://www.csc.calpoly.edu/programs/bsms-csc/&lt;/a&gt; . Sometimes rushing through isn’t best, that said mine with be completing his MS in Math in 4 years, but he had more CC units coming in as a first year than APs which really helped getting him a head start.</p>

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<p>At Cal Poly I’d have 55 credits from AP exams, add to that about 45 credits from one year of cc. Would 100 credits be too few? How many do transfers normally have? </p>

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<p>Junior level transfers will have at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.</p>

<p>Note, however, that while California publics are generous with credit units for AP courses, they may be much less generous with subject credit, so the 55 quarter units of AP courses may reduce your time at CPSLO by fewer than three quarters.</p>

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<p>I think you can use AP credits towards IGETC, but I’m not positive. You could ask on the UC transfer forum if you want a more definitive answer.</p>

<p>Depends on which system you’re using. If we’re talking about quarter units, you’d need 90. For semester units, yes you would need 60. If you have 55 in AP credits going in, you should be able to transfer after a year at CC.</p>

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<p>The first one that comes to mind is game design. These are the “major tracks” (note: These are completely optional) that the department mentions on its site: <a href=“Undergraduate”>http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/undergrad/csmajor/majortracks.html&lt;/a&gt; , to give an idea of the classes offered. Of course there are classes outside those informal tracks, but that gives an idea of what “specialties” have more offered classes.</p>

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<p>Philosofish: as UCBalumnus has indicated, your AP’s wont get you that far. Each of my three children had racked up AP credits and all went / are going to different schools and systems (Davis, SUNY UB, Caltech). The only thing that the AP credits were good for, was to “advance” in their standings or to meet prerequisite requirements. These were used as electives. </p>

<p>You are underestimating the amount of time needed for the CS major requirements.</p>

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<p>Alright thank you for your advice. I don’t suppose you know the answer to my IGETC question regarding Davis? Generally from what I’ve read IGETC is not recommended for Computer Science majors, but the APs would at least give me enough subject credit to minimize the GE work I’d have to do at a CC. </p>

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<p><a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/ugraded/gereqt.html”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/ugraded/gereqt.html&lt;/a&gt; indicates that, for UC Davis:</p>

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<p>@ucbalumnus‌ I saw this in their catalog but I can’t quite tell what it means. Sorry, I’m a little slow sometimes. Does this mean I was right about being able to use AP? Sorry, and thank you.</p>

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<p>I’m reading the paragraph from ucbalumus to indicate: </p>

<p>AP Students may not “present” (use) AP credit in satisfaction of GE requirements, except in the English Comp part of the “Literacy with words and images requirement”</p>

<p>“Transfers, who have successfully completed the IGETC course WORK”, are exempt from all general education requirements (at UCD) that may be met with lower-division courses. </p>

<p>Translation: if you complete the IGETC course work at your previous CC (and they are being very specific here with the term-“course work”), you don’t need to take the classes again (at UCD) to meet your lower division requirements.</p>

<p>If you didn’t complete the IGETC, you are “required to satisfy all GE components” and “offer previously completed coursework” as proof toward those GE requirements. </p>

<p>So, Davis apparently will accept only those courses or AP credits that meet the English Composition requirement. </p>

<p>My children’s friends, who attended the CC’s and who had multiple and numerous AP credits, all transferred in as Juniors into the UC’s. I don’t know of anyone who was able to transfer after one year. </p>

<p>As I’ve stated before, my children were only able to use their (5 level) AP credits to satisfy prerequisites or to get priority registration. (Davis and SUNY) My son, who will be entering Caltech this fall, still had to take their placement tests to see what levels of coursework he could take. (All of the students there presumably took boatloads of AP classes).</p>

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<p>But because I’m going to a community college, wouldn’t the community college, and not my future university, decide whether or not APs may satisfy areas of IGETC? Would Davis be interested in how I specifically satisfied each area of IGETC, or will they just check to see whether it’s been certified? I’m no longer intent on skipping a year but I’d like more time to focus on lower division major work. </p>

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<p>The purpose of the CC’s (besides vocational guidance) is to provide a transition plan and prepare a student for further university coursework. </p>

<p>The IGETC is an agreement between two different systems that are similar in scope and goal.</p>

<p>Ultimately, the universities decide how they will use your credits. The IGETC gets you admitted, it isn’t sealed and ignored once you make the transition to the UC’s. It is not the other way around. Remember that DAVIS grants the Bachelors degree, not the CC, so Davis tells you what counts and what doesn’t. </p>

<p>My children were disappointed that their AP courses wouldn’t get them out of course requirements, but they were fine with it once they realized that the courses required at the university level were more thorough and intense classes.<br>
My youngest son, who will be going to Caltech on a couple of weeks, learned from his sisters that the AP credits will get him priority registration. He is retaking his whole senior class schedule this coming semester. </p>

<p>From the website:
<a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/requirements/additional-requirements/igetc/”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/requirements/additional-requirements/igetc/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>"Students in some majors will not be well served by following IGETC. If you intend to transfer into a major that requires extensive lower-division preparation, such as engineering or the biological, physical and natural sciences, you should concentrate on completing the many prerequisites for the major that the college screens for to determine eligibility for admission. See the campus guidance section below for specific recommendations.</p>

<p>IGETC is not an admissions requirement. Completing it is not required, nor does it guarantee admission to the campus or program of choice. However, completing the lower-division breadth/general education requirements — through IGETC or the campus-specific requirements (depending upon the program) — may improve your chances for admission to a competitive campus and/or program."</p>

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<p>I can see retaking AP equivalent courses if I was going straight to Caltech, because the courses almost certainly would be more “thorough and intense”. But I’ll be going to a community college where I know for a fact(second-hand from fellow students who’ve taken classes there) that the classes will be less “thorough and intense” than the APs at my high school. I could just wait and take all my GE courses when I do transfer to a university, but I’m afraid I’ll be overloading myself, plus I was hoping to have room in my schedule for a minor.</p>

<p>This was also on the website, but I guess in the case of Davis it’s not true:</p>

<p>“Only California community colleges may certify completion of IGETC. Certification of IGETC completion is the responsibility of the last California community college you attend prior to transfer (with the exception of summer session), although upon request, a college other than the last one attended may also certify.”</p>

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<p>I guess my main question now is “how does IGETC work”?</p>

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<p>I think I found the answer to my own question, at least regarding UC Davis. I found this in their catalog:</p>

<p><a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/PDF/02GenCatUgradAdmiss.pdf”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/PDF/02GenCatUgradAdmiss.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>" IGETC Area:
• Each AP exam may be applied to one IGETC area as satisfying one course requirement, with the exception of Language other than
English (LOTE).
• There is no equivalent AP exam for the Area 1B—Critical Thinking/Composition requirement.
• For details regarding IGETC certification, see your California community college adviser and <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>www.assist.org</a>, Help Topics: IGETC.
Students entering UC Davis with partial IGETC certification should contact their dean’s office. "</p>