Community CollegeComputer Science
Institution-verified. An institution or employer email domain was confirmed for a step claimed in this pathway.Starting conditions
- Institution
- Large State School
- Major
- Computer Science
- GPA band
- 2.5-2.9
- Graduated
- 2019–2021
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
- Working through school
- Financial need
Limited exposure to the destination field at the start.
The sequence7 steps
- Coursework1 yr 2 mo
Completed the transfer-track math and CS sequence
Community college
Completed the transfer-track math and CS sequence. This took 14 months and was harder than expected.
- Job1 yr 5 moPivotal
Worked part time to cover tuition
Worked part time to cover tuition. This took 17 months and was slower than expected.
- Project6 moPivotal
Built and shipped a portfolio project
Start this earlier than feels necessary.
Evidence for this step - Networking1 yr
Met with the transfer advisor every term
Met with the transfer advisor every term. This took 12 months and was harder than expected.
- Application8 mo
Transfer application cycle
Transfer application cycle. This took 8 months and was slower than expected.
Evidence for this stepObstacle
Applied broadly without understanding what the reviewers actually screened on.
How it was resolved
Narrowed the list and applied early in the cycle rather than late.
- Setback2 moPivotal
Waitlisted at first-choice school
Waitlisted at first-choice school. This took 2 months and was harder than expected.
Obstacle
The plan stalled here, and it was not obvious it would recover.
How it was resolved
Asked the people who rejected me what the specific disqualifier was, then fixed exactly that instead of everything at once.
- Transfer1 moPivotal
Enrolled as a junior transfer
Enrolled as a junior transfer. This took 1 months and was harder than expected.
Evidence for this step
Outcome
Transferred to the state flagship CS program
Reflection
Would repeat
- Starting the outreach earlier than felt comfortable.
Would skip
- The first application cycle, which I entered underprepared.
Biggest obstacle
Underestimating how long the prerequisite work would take alongside everything else.
What was luck
- One person answered a cold email who did not have to.