Hey everyone, I was wondering about the possibility of transferring from a CSU to a UC. I recognize that the majority about 92% of all UC transfers are from CCs, but in their website, they also say that they do accept transfers from other 4 year universities. Right now, I am a student at SJSU studying engineering, and I am looking to maybe transfer to a UC for applied math, preferably UCB, since I live in the bay area. My freshmen year at SJSU has been alright, the academics for engineering are solid, and I have made some pretty good friends, but the campus is a bit boring in the weekends, as most of students commute. I think going to a UC such as Berkeley or LA, can give me more opportunities and a strong alumni network.
I looked at the requirements, and as an engineering major I have taken or in the process of taking all the math courses required for the applied mathematical pathways, Calculus series, as well as DiffE and Linear Algebra, and the 7 course pattern. I have taken some of these courses at CC, and most of them at SJSU, in assist it said , if there is a overlap of more than 80% of the course materials, then it should transfer.
Do you guys think it’s worth transferring, or would you say it’s better to finish my undergrad at SJSU, and apply for a graduate program. My first year GPA isn’t too great, it’s a 3.77, but I can improve it to a 3.85 by the time I apply, since UC’s calculate the first semester of sophomore year for transfer students via the Transfer Academic Update required in January. I have heard that a GPA of 3.9 or above is better for transferring to top colleges, so my expected GPA is going to be a bit lower than that. But I have taken some rigorous first year and second year STEM courses and I am just a few units short of having junior standing. I am on track to graduate in 3.5 years, if I stay in SJSU. As far as why I want to change my major to applied math, I think it’s more broader and can be applicable for a wide range of professions. I am interested in something STEM and problem solving, but I am not too sure of my exact career path or major at this point.
I was an applied math major. I just took a quick look at the math majors that are available at San Jose State, and to me it looks like they have a good program, or perhaps several good math programs. Switching to applied math at SJSU seems like it would be a reasonable option.
If you do transfer, to me it makes more sense to transfer earlier rather than later. The alternative of course is to complete your bachelor’s where you are now, and then if you want to get a master’s consider other universities at that point. It is of course very common for those students who get a graduate degree for the last degree to come from a different university compared to the bachelor’s.
How much this matters might depend upon where you got your B’s. At least in my experience it appears that classes in your major or a closely related field are likely to be more important compared to other classes. As one example, it appeared in my case that having a couple of bad grades in art classes did not matter when applying to graduate programs as a math major.
I don’t see much harm in applying to transfer. If you do transfer the downsides are needing to get used to a different university plus the risk that some credits might not transfer (particularly if transferring between schools on the semester versus quarter calendars).
However, staying where you are, and then considering other schools if you get to the point of looking for a graduate program, also seems quite reasonable.
As a former applied math major, I agree with this. I knew people who majored in math and went on to a relatively wide range of different careers. Math is needed in a number of different fields. Some students I know who majored in math for example ended up in acoustics, law, software engineering, AI, machine learning, or data communications (including but not limited to cyber security). I am sure that there are quite a few other careers that are possible as a math major. A lot of stuff that we mostly take for granted in the world only works because someone did the math.
If you stay as an engineer then SJSU is as good as almost anywhere else since the engineering degree is pretty standardized across schools thru ABET. However for Applied Math school name may play a role in who recruits on campus and how a resume is evaluated depending on who the employer is.
Transferring in the end is a personal call but if you want to do it then why not go all in and transfer from a CCC? Instead of returning to SJSU, attend a CCC for a year starting this September. Applied Math is a major at Berkeley, Santa Cruz, Merced, Davis, and UCLA so you could use TAG for guaranteed admission at one school from Santa Cruz, Merced, or Davis and you’d have the CCC boost in chances for Berkeley and UCLA.
Of course you’d want to check the TAG rules carefully to make sure you qualify. And Davis used to require you to have been enrolled at a CCC the spring prior to submitting the TAG application which would make you ineligible. I don’t see that on their website anymore but you should check with them.
Additionally UCLA has the Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) which gives priority consideration for admission to majors in L&S (these days called the “College”) and Applied Math is one of them. Anecdotally online it is said that the admission rate for those completing TAP is 75% or better. More info about the program at UCLA Transfer Alliance Program | UCLA Undergraduate Admission
Berkeley has a separate TAP program TAP | Center for Educational Partnerships which says “the Transfer Alliance Project prioritizes serving community colleges from geographically underserved areas that have been designated as having low transfer rates to the University of California system.” It’s not clear if it will be a boost to you although can’t hurt to look into it.
Lastly it may be worth doing a 5-Year Bachelor’s/Master’s Program in Applied Math which some schools like UCLA have. Typically you don’t apply until you’ve already transferred, I just want you to know it’s out there.