- #1
GriffinC
- 7
- 4
I want to major in computer and electrical engineering physics. I don't actually know much about the specifics, but I've been an electrical engineering hobbyist since high school, I built my own desktop computer and enjoy programing in C++, and I study some physics in my free time. All I know is that these are my absolute favorite things and a major in all 3 would probably fit me well.
I didn't have much direction in high school. I got straight A's freshmen year, but my family imploded and I just gave up on school. I pretty much intentionally got D's in everything but math and science. My senior year I decided physics was for me so I got my act together and graduated with a 4.0 that year. Unfortunately because of my average GPA I wasn't really suited for going directly to a decent UC (I live in California). I also didn't really have the money and wasn't quite ready to leave home yet. I went to the local community college.
I've been working about 10 hours a week and taking between 17 and 19 (the maximum) units each semester. I spend a good 40-50 hours a week on studying/class/etc. First semester I got all As except for a B in Spanish. It's a 5 unit class so my GPA tanked to a 3.7. I really had no excuse for this except that I didn't give it maximum effort. Next semester was the same, all As and one B. This time in calc 1. It was a genuinely challenging class and all online as well. I had to teach myself everything and I was the only calc 1 student so I had nobody to study with. I settled for the B and once again vowed to do better next semester.
This brings me to this semester, calc 2. I'm not sure if quarters are different, but I did integrals, separable diffeqs, and volume/areas of revolution in calc 1. Calc 2 was infinite series, advanced integration, some diffeqs, parametric equations, polar coordinates and the sort. I bombed EVERY test. D, A, D, F, and the only reason I got that A was because the practice test was identical to the actual one and I had most of them memorized. I finished the class with a 70.07%, narrowly passing. I also got a B in English 101 so now I believe I'm pretty much screwed.
These grades arn't all that's holding me back, my CC offers basically none of my major prep. My only physics credits are from a 4 on the high school AP test (only 3 of 30 kids passed, if that's significant). I don't have chem done and I should have been on my 4th calc class by now. My major prep is weak. I was also bombed with 5 finals the same week applications were due, so my essays were kinda weak as well. I should have done them months in advance but I had no idea how applications worked.
I've applied to some UCs, UC San Diego, Berkeley, Davis, Santa Cruz, and Irvine. SD is my top choice, but I don't think it's possible for me to get in on such an impacted major anymore. Berkeley was unrealistic from the start, but I thought I'd apply anyway. My back up is UN Reno, since it's closest to home, has my major, and offers in state tuition to Cali students. Also it's app deadline is in July so I can write a decent personal statement.
If that massive wall of text means anything to you, I could use some advice for next semester. I'm enrolled in 19 units with calc 3. I'm worried that since I bombed calc 2 so bad, calc 3 will be too much for me on a full schedule. I enrolled in a 4 unit astronomy class that isn't entirely necessary, although my alternative major is astrophysics. Should I drop it to spend more time on math? Should I retake calc 2 as well? I want to what's best for my ability to transfer.
Aside from all that, I'd like to know what you think my odds are of getting into UCSD if you'd like to take a guess. And if you know anything about majoring in EC engineering physics I'd appreciate some insight.
If you were able to read all that, I really appreciate you giving your time, and thanks in advance for any advice.
I didn't have much direction in high school. I got straight A's freshmen year, but my family imploded and I just gave up on school. I pretty much intentionally got D's in everything but math and science. My senior year I decided physics was for me so I got my act together and graduated with a 4.0 that year. Unfortunately because of my average GPA I wasn't really suited for going directly to a decent UC (I live in California). I also didn't really have the money and wasn't quite ready to leave home yet. I went to the local community college.
I've been working about 10 hours a week and taking between 17 and 19 (the maximum) units each semester. I spend a good 40-50 hours a week on studying/class/etc. First semester I got all As except for a B in Spanish. It's a 5 unit class so my GPA tanked to a 3.7. I really had no excuse for this except that I didn't give it maximum effort. Next semester was the same, all As and one B. This time in calc 1. It was a genuinely challenging class and all online as well. I had to teach myself everything and I was the only calc 1 student so I had nobody to study with. I settled for the B and once again vowed to do better next semester.
This brings me to this semester, calc 2. I'm not sure if quarters are different, but I did integrals, separable diffeqs, and volume/areas of revolution in calc 1. Calc 2 was infinite series, advanced integration, some diffeqs, parametric equations, polar coordinates and the sort. I bombed EVERY test. D, A, D, F, and the only reason I got that A was because the practice test was identical to the actual one and I had most of them memorized. I finished the class with a 70.07%, narrowly passing. I also got a B in English 101 so now I believe I'm pretty much screwed.
These grades arn't all that's holding me back, my CC offers basically none of my major prep. My only physics credits are from a 4 on the high school AP test (only 3 of 30 kids passed, if that's significant). I don't have chem done and I should have been on my 4th calc class by now. My major prep is weak. I was also bombed with 5 finals the same week applications were due, so my essays were kinda weak as well. I should have done them months in advance but I had no idea how applications worked.
I've applied to some UCs, UC San Diego, Berkeley, Davis, Santa Cruz, and Irvine. SD is my top choice, but I don't think it's possible for me to get in on such an impacted major anymore. Berkeley was unrealistic from the start, but I thought I'd apply anyway. My back up is UN Reno, since it's closest to home, has my major, and offers in state tuition to Cali students. Also it's app deadline is in July so I can write a decent personal statement.
If that massive wall of text means anything to you, I could use some advice for next semester. I'm enrolled in 19 units with calc 3. I'm worried that since I bombed calc 2 so bad, calc 3 will be too much for me on a full schedule. I enrolled in a 4 unit astronomy class that isn't entirely necessary, although my alternative major is astrophysics. Should I drop it to spend more time on math? Should I retake calc 2 as well? I want to what's best for my ability to transfer.
Aside from all that, I'd like to know what you think my odds are of getting into UCSD if you'd like to take a guess. And if you know anything about majoring in EC engineering physics I'd appreciate some insight.
If you were able to read all that, I really appreciate you giving your time, and thanks in advance for any advice.
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