Community CollegeComputer Science
Self-attested. The author confirmed their identity to us. The content itself is unchecked.Starting conditions
- Institution
- Community College
- Major
- Computer Science
- GPA band
- 3.8-4.0
- Graduated
- 2021
- Location
- New York, United States
- Financial need
Limited exposure to the destination field at the start.
The sequence6 steps
- Coursework1 yr
Completed the transfer-track math and CS sequence
Community college
Evidence for this stepObstacle
Took too heavy a load and the grades showed it.
How it was resolved
Retook the course that mattered most rather than trying to offset it elsewhere.
- Job1 yr 9 mo
Worked part time to cover tuition
Worked part time to cover tuition. This took 21 months and was harder than expected.
- Networking1 yr 3 moPivotal
Met with the transfer advisor every term
Met with the transfer advisor every term. This took 15 months and was harder than expected.
Obstacle
No existing contacts in the field, and cold outreach mostly went unanswered.
How it was resolved
Stopped sending generic messages and wrote to a much smaller, more specific list.
- Application5 mo
Transfer application cycle
Transfer application cycle. This took 5 months and was harder than expected.
Start this earlier than feels necessary.
- Setback5 moPivotal
Waitlisted at first-choice school
Waitlisted at first-choice school. This took 5 months and was slower than expected.
Evidence for this stepObstacle
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 mo
Enrolled as a junior transfer
Enrolled as a junior transfer. This took 1 months and was harder than expected.
Start this earlier than feels necessary.
Evidence for this step
Outcome
Transferred to a top-25 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.