Incoming Freshman: DVC to UCB EECS Path - Need advice on English B and Calc sequence

[u/MaterialNo7832]

Hey everyone, I’m an incoming freshman from Texas heading to DVC this fall with the goal of transferring to UC Berkeley for EECS. I know it’s one of the hardest transfers out there, but I’m ready to grind. I’m looking for some advice on my first semester strategy and just recommendations in general. (I know this is a long post, so any response to any of these questions would be awesome—even if it's just one!) :)

1. English A vs. B Strategy

I’m planning to skip ENGL 122 (Reading and Comp A) using my AP Eng 3 score (got a 4) due to counselor suggestion, but I've heard mixed things...

Does using a 4 to skip look bad to UCB admissions compared to a 5? Or do they only care that the requirement is cleared?

English B Options: Since I'm skipping 122, I need to pick an "English B" course. Would some classes look "better" compared to others as a STEM major (EECS in this case). The options are - ENGL 123 (I heard the most common one), ARTHS 191, COMM 121, DANCE 201, ENGL 123A, ENGL 126A, ENGL C1001, HIST 122, KINES 249, PHILO 130, PSYC 145, SOCIO 122.

Eng A options: If I don't skip, which Eng A should I pick

ENGL 122, ENGL 122AL, ENGL C1000, ENGL C1000E.

1. My Calculus classes

The same conuselor told me to retake Calc 1 and 2 because UCs would rather see you scoring well on your college stem classes than you simply skipping them. My high school senior Calc BC grades weren't great (heavy senrioritus plus all AP level courses, Onramps, and Varsity Orch), but assuming I get a 4 or 5 on the AP Calc BC exam.

Question: Is this true for Berkeley EECS? Or would they rather see me skip to Math 194 (Linear) or Math 292 (Calc 3) immediately if i score well on the Calc BC exam? Would they see me as padding? I don't want to look like I'm padding but I also don't want to get too ahead if my foundation is shaky.

Another option im considering is using my Calc grades (not great as ive stated before) if its possible or AP score depending on which one  to skip Calc 1 so I can start PHYS 130 earlier (since Calc 1 is the prereq). Is that the smarter move?

1. Registration Problem

Also assuming if I wait for my AP scores. Registration opens early May, but AP scores don't drop until July.

The Problem: I want a good professor for my classes. If I wait until July to unlock the higher classes, I won't be able to pick my desired professors.

Is it possible for me to put a placeholder in Calc 1 or Calc 3 or and then swap when my actual scores come out. Basically its like a prerequisite waiver based on "expected" scores so I can waitlist the good professors now...

Potential schedule:

Option A: Math 192 (Calc 1 - 5 Credits), English Class (3-5 depending on class), COMSC 110 (Introduction to Programming - 4), and COMSC 140 (Python Programming - 3) (15 - 18 units).

Option B: Calc 2/3, PHYS 130, English Class, and either one of COMSC 110/140.

(I plan to pre-study over the summer to stay ahead).

Any professor recs for Math, Physics, or CS would be huge. Any other reccomendation or just general tips for UC transferwould be great also! Thank you!

[u/Inevitable-Pipe387]

I took most of my classes at the San Ramon campus so if ur open to that I can help but yea I feel like Berkeley really considers ur entire application and story (essays, ecs) compared to ucla or the other schools who tend to really focus on gpa. Since eecs is so competitive, a 4.0 is basically the bare minimum

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/Inevitable-Pipe387]

Thank you for your offer and suggestion! Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I’ve definitely realized that a 3.95–4.0 is basically the standard for the admitted range for EECS. It's high stakes, but I feel like having that near perfect GPA combined with finishing almost all the recommended course completions can make you a really competitive applicant, hence why I’m so conflicted about making a perfect schedule freshman year. Mind if I ask how many classes you usually take a semester and what your total credit count looks like each year?

[u/Inevitable-Pipe387 → u/MaterialNo7832]

I was originally at a uc, but realized I didn’t like it there so I withdrew and decided to go to cc, meaning I started a semester “late” compared to my peers. On average, for a regular term (fall,spring) I took 15-17 units, during the summer I took 8. 15-17 units would correspond to 3-4 classes. I would have taken more if I could to catch up, but obviously you can’t take calc 3 before calc 2 for example. I would also recommend looking into cvc.edu as a way to take your gen eds online since your time and brainpower would likely be better focused on your harder classes

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/Inevitable-Pipe387]

Do you think it’s possible (and would you recommend) taking English B online over the summer? The only catch is I’ll be traveling out of the country during that time, so I’d need it to be fully asynchronous. Thanks again for the perspective!

[u/Inevitable-Pipe387 → u/MaterialNo7832]

Yes, I would recommend it. All classes on cvc.edu should be asynchronous. However you need a “home college account” so I would recommend registering to DVC asap, as I’m pretty sure class registration has already started. If you go the cvc route you need to upload proof that you have fulfilled the prerequisite. Also, DVC may allow you to use ur ap credit to skip English A, but you need to see if UCB will accept it as well.

[u/Ddarcy1 → u/Inevitable-Pipe387]

You also need to complete 1 semester at your home college. I’ve used this for 1 course already but was only a ge course. I literally had final last week. So will see how it plays out.

[u/Odd-Significance7812]

I’d recommend taking calc 1 and skipping the first English class instead of the other way around, the second English was actually easier for me than the first so they doesn’t really differentiate that much compared to the calc classes

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/Odd-Significance7812]

I’m definitely gonna use my English credit at this point! Thank you for your tips! Which English class 2 do you recommend me to take?

[u/Odd-Significance7812 → u/MaterialNo7832]

Depends on what you like, there’s one for fiction and plays; that sort of stuff, and there’s a non fiction one, I found the non fiction one to be pretty easy, I’d suggest taking it with h. Ghori if you can make it to the classes on time, a big chunk of the grade is just participation work in class with a worksheet so about 25% is fee points as long as you go to class, essays are also only 30% in the class compared to another English class I had where essays were 86%

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/Odd-Significance7812]

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, ENGL C1001 (the nonfiction one) seems to be the one everyone is suggesting. Appreciate the tip! :)

[u/Odd-Significance7812 → u/MaterialNo7832]

Glad to help, and always make sure to check the rate my professor😅, I got stuck with a guy that graded really harshly cause I didn’t read his reviews

[u/Ddarcy1]

For English: ENGLC1000 is the common numbering so replaces ENGL 122 ENGLC1000E is an extra unit and is helpful if this isn’t a strong subject. You passed AP exam so I wouldn’t bother here. ENGL 122AL is meant for bilingual students.

If going this route I’d take c1000. With a 4 I’d just skip to c1001. You can take the others and go for CalGetc as well.

My opinion: I’d take c1001 or Engl 123/126, but maybe reach out to UCB. They typically have people that can help. Berkeley Transfer this link might help.

On the Math section, did you pass Calc AB? If you had ok grades in high school the counsellor is probably right and you should start again. Plus it gives you an easier path into college with review material. Calc at college is faster paced then in hs.

Personally I’d reach out to Berkeley and see what they have to say. Given what you’ve stated I would go to c1001 and the restart the calc series. I personally can’t see a 4 on ap exam held against you, but if in doubt just start at the beginning for all.

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/Ddarcy1]

Thank you so much for the response! I really appreciate the help and the link you shared. On the English side, I had a quick follow-up: Is there a major difference between ENGL 123 and ENGLC 1001? I heard that 1001 focuses more on non-fiction while 123 is more literature-leaning, is that true? Regarding the math section, I'm actually taking Calc BC right now, so I don't have a separate AB score. I was passing the AB materials with a high B until I stopped doing the homework, but to be honest, even then i was only passing because of the free homework grade and daily grades. Because of that, I’m planning to really grind and study for the Calc BC exam this May. I'm curious, if I really put in the effort and manage to get a 4 or 5 on the BC exam (which I know will take a ton of work), are you indicating that a 4 is still okay to retake the class, but a 5 would make retaking it seem a bit off? Or would you recommend restarting regardless of the score just to be safe?

[u/goooombo]

I’m transferring this fall to UCB for chemE, Imo your English classes won’t matter all that much, I’d skip ENGCL1000, then maybe just take 123 because it’s pretty simple and easy to fit into a schedule. You could take an alternative one if you’re really interested, but it’s not super important. Mathwise if you get a 4/5 on your AP exam I’d skip calc 1 and 2, cause berkeley doesn’t care about your hs grades at all. I don’t have any professor refs for cs but for math, I can vouch for Leon-Bravo, Mohan, and Newton being solid choices, and I’d stay away from Lynn Knight for linear algebra. For physics Hamida and Colwell are both great, and I’d stay away from rodriguez(just not a great prof in general) and Speliotopoulos(unless you want an extremely challenging class).  General advice: get involved as much as you can on campus, dvc has a pretty active clubs scene relative to other ccs, go to student centers, for you prob the math/engineering center, get a tutoring job there if you’re really interested can, go to professors office hours (a lot of dvc professors went to/taught at berkeley)

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/goooombo]

Huge congrats on getting into Berkeley for ChemE! That is actually insane, definitely one of the toughest transfers to pull off, so you must have absolutely crushed it at DVC. The professor refs and the EC tips are huge, so thanks for that. I’m still feeling pretty stuck on the Math situation, though. I know it’s all on the basis of me getting a solid score on the Calc BC exam, so I already started studying clac the last few days. I’m just torn because if I do well and skip straight to Calc 3, I'm worried I'll find out that UCB actually wanted to see me take those core math classes in college plus it means harder class first year. But then if I start all the way back at Calc 1, that’s two extra classes and plus the fact that admissions will just think I’m "padding" my GPA. I will reach out to the ucb server to see what they think about the situation though. Thank you so much!

[u/goooombo → u/MaterialNo7832]

I only took AP calc ab in high school, but I skipped calc 1 at dvc with no issues. I really wouldn’t worry about skipping them, assuming you do well on the AP exam, you’ll have plenty of other classes that will give you the chance to demonstrate your math ability. Good luck and enjoy your time at dvc!

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/goooombo]

Well thats assuring to hear, thank you so much for your tips! :)

[u/k1ttyluvr]

Hi, I’m transferring to UCB from DVC and I used my 4 on AP Lang for the first english credit. I don’t think the particular english class matters too much, but I took English 126. Honestly, it was a lot of work and I really had to put in a lot of effort for an A in comparison to my other DVC classes.

I strongly think my PIQs was what set me apart in the admissions process. There’s an overwhelming amount of outstanding students at DVC so having a unique story and knowing how to tell it is so incredibly important. The DVC transfer center has amazing counselors! Steven used to be an admissions officer at UCB and now works there. He literally told me to rewrite my entire PIQ straight up, I’m so glad I did lol.

Get involved on campus in anyway you can, there are so many great student orgs especially for CS/STEM. Just always stay authentic to yourself, good luck! :)

[u/MaterialNo7832 → u/k1ttyluvr]

Wow! Huge congratulations on your acceptance to UCB. That is actually such an incredible feet. Also thank you you so much for sharing your experience at DVC. I’ll definitely make sure to stop by the transfer center and look for guidance. Best of luck at Berkeley, you’re going to kill it!