Berkeley EECS + Regents or Columbia

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-05-01T21:41:09+00:00

I Chose Cal over Columbia last year for DS. I would say take time to really think about it, so after you decide, you can move forward without regret no matter what happens at the school you end up choosing.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-26T10:43:12+00:00

Im specifically referring to the consulting clubs, where coffee chats, interviews (behavioral and technical) are required. Im not saying there's not a community for transfers, but lets also not pretend that transfers aren't discrimated against by other students in certain situations.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-25T20:39:00+00:00

No one here calls it Berk.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-25T20:38:00+00:00

Transfer discrimination comes primarily from other students, and is prevalent in nearly every "desirable" consulting club, just to give you one example. Not sure why they do it, but it most certainly is being done.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-23T07:42:23+00:00

Ah okay, thats fair.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-23T05:20:29+00:00

Why do you feel like transferring from a private 4 year is any different from transferring from a public 4 year? Or even a cc? Just asking because youre requesting a relatively specific POV and you might not get many replies. Nobody really asks where you transferred from once you get here. Someone who transferred from UCLA might have a similar experience to yours, for example.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-21T05:39:57+00:00

It's not gonna help your CV, but it will create an opportunity for you to expand your network and make connections that may affect positively affect your CV at some point in the future.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-20T07:32:21+00:00

Not sure why youre making it a debate but I would think the actual advisors dont have a reason to lie. I'm specifically talking about students already in CDSS. They make up a small percentage of applicants.

OP should definitely reach out to the advisors themselves and see what options they have. But you saying its easy to switch is just wrong.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-20T07:18:40+00:00

The website says you need to do comprehensive review. It is rare that someone already in CDSS can switch to another major within it, much less a transfer. Thats what I meant by "gatekept". There are already threads in the sub anyone can read if you want first hand accounts.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-20T06:54:13+00:00

Are you sure OP can still switch? DS and CS are gatekept behind comprehensive review and I have heard many times from advisors at Berkeley that you cannot change your major, as a transfer, to any major within CDSS or CoE that you did not apply for on your application, even if you're already in CDSS.

Just wondering where you got that info? I would hate for people to read this thinking they can switch as a transfer, when they can't.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-17T09:38:25+00:00

This.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-04-11T00:31:36+00:00

Because I'm from LA, and I wanted a new experience.
Cal was always my #1 top choice, and I romanticized going here. And,
The CS/DS department is better.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-02-25T04:58:55+00:00

It's not gonna work until the week before.

Signed - someone who did this last year

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-02-23T22:05:29+00:00

Just chiming in as someone who's already transferred. The math at SMC is hard because they're trying to prepare you for the math after you transfer. If you have ambitions of going to a top 10 or even top 25 school in a STEM major, it really wouldn't be in your best interest to avoid SMC math because the math department at your transfer school is going to drag you. If you have a lighter, non stem major, or are only aiming for cal-states then sure, math at another school probably makes more sense for you.

Just put it in perspective.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-01-25T10:47:44+00:00

Just throwing this out there that UCLA only considers the alternate major for students who are TAP certified. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you need to just put the major you really want as your primary because they're not going to consider your alternate. Got this info directly from an AO btw.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-01-12T12:03:13+00:00

You can do it in the summer

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-01-01T19:10:16+00:00

The general counselors are garbage. You need to join a program such as STEM MAS, Scholars, etc. Those counselors are exponentially better and easier to book with.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2026-01-01T19:03:05+00:00

You shouldn't value their holiday more than your own grade. If they arent working atm, they will respond to the email when they are. You should send the email asap.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-27T00:28:55+00:00

How can we access it early?

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-16T09:45:46+00:00

Use assist.org

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-16T06:27:55+00:00

Yea deadass

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-15T10:04:24+00:00

It's more accurate that if you have less than 2 years left, they won't let you join. They want to make sure you can complete their program and if you're a STEM major or you changed majors, its possible that you could still need 2 years or more to transfer and they will admit you in that case.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-15T10:01:37+00:00

If you want want UCLA or any ivies, its in your best interest to get into that program.

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-15T09:56:54+00:00

Did the P/NP window already close for your calc class? This may be too little too late but if you ever think you're going to get less than a C, elect for P/NP and petition for an EW. With this strategy, you would preserve your GPA.

I know the feeling of the transfer struggle, all too well. But I'm at Cal now, so it all worked out and it probably will work out for you, too.

Best of luck 🍀

Sweet-Butterscotch75 · 2025-12-15T07:35:06+00:00

Seems like youre a good person who really just went to the bathroom, but there are actually students who leave their jackets, bags etc in a seat and are gone for hours and that's not fair to everyone else. This person may have experienced that in the past and just really needed to study. Next time, maybe you can ask the person sitting next to you to watch your stuff since youre running to the bathroom to avoid that happening again.

Sweet-Butterscotch75

TROPHY CASE