How I transferred into CS at UIUC

Story of how I got into UIUC's CS program. One of the toughest things I've ever had to do. Enjoy!
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[@josha618]

writing a bot to get into a cs class is so cyclically poetic and hilarious i can’t explain

[@pauliew9122]

Good for you! Persistence and perseverance goes a long way. Have a feeling you’ll be pretty successful in life.

[@EdrEnterprises]

This is honestly super inspirational lmfao

[@dakariesteban5572]

sorry to be off topic but does anybody know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost my login password. I appreciate any tips you can give me

[@elizatreaty2643]

"have some respect i *made* this bot" lmfao

[@carbenart]

I'm an incoming freshman at UIUC who is pretty much in the same position as you were; I got admitted to my second-choice major (biology) and am going to be trying to transfer into CS. Good on you for getting in and thanks for the interesting video about it :D

[@timchang5676]

congrats on the acceptance! i’m a junior who kinda just realized how screwed they are because cs majors are insane, and advice on transferring?

[@BrianLoh]

My incoming major was biochemistry so I was in the same boat. Good luck!

[@bindurana3944]

Hey! I guess we're both in a similar situation and I'm going to uiuc this fall too! Wanna connect?

[@lenaray8638]

@@bindurana3944 heyy i'm also looking to transfer into cs at uiuc. my insta's @sonali_135_

[@DhruvPatel-io6ch]

I am planning to transfer from cs + x to cs if you guys want to connect with me just reply to this comment

[@ehlliee]

ayo im also going to uiuc and also transferring my second year :) super interesting to hear your story!!!

[@BrianLoh]

Good luck!!

[@matchayokkann]

Loooool you’re a great storyteller 🤣🤣🤣 Congrats on transferring in!

[@melanieelizalde4045]

I love the story it’s so amazing 😂

[@tactissue32]

ayy thanks so much for this.. I'm an incoming freshman as well.. hopefully i can transfer from my second-choice major (Electrical Eng) to CS.

[@BrianLoh]

Goodluck!

[@colbystaral1618]

I’m in the exact same boat (I’m also an electrical engineering major that was denied admission to CS)

[@sunk4624]

My son is in same boat. He got CS in Wisconsin. What do you suggest?

[@TheRCPLANE]

@@sunk4624 Go to Wisconsin.

[@ritapal4340]

Hi! could u able to chane ur major from EE to CS in UIUC?

[@EyeReel8]

Unfortunate now that CS is completely locked out for those who are not a direct admit !

[@VuLe-nx5rg]

Transfer to any engineering at uiuc is a pain

[@kimothy_tim]

~r e s p e c t~

[@arindam902]

you're crazy, congrats

[@ComputerScienceSimplified]

Awesome video, keep up the great work! :)

[@omegathan]

For people past 2022: you can't transfer into CS anymore. Like it's not possible. If you don't get into the CS major when you get into UIUC, pick another school.

[@BrianLoh]

Oof

[@timberlylake5986]

wait why not ? is the option itself not available or is it extremely difficult ?

[@rajdeepvilluri8715]

@@timberlylake5986 you can transfer to cs + x, just not only cs.

[@timberlylake5986]

@@rajdeepvilluri8715 oh okk thanks ! its still pretty difficult though right ?

[@cloud8639]

some tips for future students wanting to transfer into CS: 1. take calc 2 if u not super confident with what u've learned cuz it can be a good prerequisite for calc 3 and a GPA booster. 2. If u can't get As for taking 3 or more technical courses in one semester, just drop some courses and ensure your GPA before ur transfer. 3. CS 225 has a total of 10% extra credit, try to get all of those. It does require some grinding, but it's not a course that mess with ur brains hard. Also make sure u understand c++ well for quiz 1(maybe with a different #, the one testing language instead of data structure) cuz a lot of ppl I know getting A in this course fucked up quiz 1, so if u managed to nail that one, u r kinda in an advantage.

[@justyourbasicarmy9303]

i’m an incoming freshman(from california) who got in to my second major, electrical eng, hopefully going to transfer to cs, but ik it’s not easy thank u for this vid!

[@fifeomotoso3810]

hi! Love your video! I’m sorta in the same boat you were in and was looking for any advice you may have. When applying to UIUC, i didn’t know i wanted to be a cs major and on like may 1st when i decided i did, it was too late to change my major to apply. I was wondering what major you originally chose when u were initially rejected from cs because i want to know if it makes a difference that i am already admitted into the college of engineering as a bioengineering major. also, would minoring in cs improve my chances of getting into the classes that were hard to get into. LASTLY, what would u have done differently to help with this process? Thank you!

[@BrianLoh]

Answered in my GPA video!

[@imamervin6278]

Hi! was bioengineering ur first or second choice?

[@fifeomotoso3810]

Ima Mervin it was my first at the time. i didn’t put a second

[@connorbarker3063]

im proud of you bro

[@rimurutempest2130]

Which is better For MSCS UIUC vs Georgia tech

[@kyan2000]

But I remember I was in their 2022 prospective new student zoom meeting, the staff began by saying you can transfer to any other majors at UIUC, except computer science (for obvious reason). Was he lying ?

[@pacman6007]

The staff was not, but neither is this guy. That change was implemented I think starting this year. If not, the year before. It’s has always been very difficult to transfer into an engineering major, and it still is, but with CS, it’s now strictly prohibited.

[@kyan2000]

@@pacman6007 Thank you for the confirmation.

[@AdamNimer]

Hey Brian! I was wondering if you know anything about the PREP program? I’m considering U of I and would like to transfer into CS. I’ve heard it is very competitive, so I’m wondering whether pre engineering is worth it or if I should go to a school I’m guaranteed cs? Thanks man.

[@BrianLoh]

Hi! I don't know anything about the PREP program. I looked it up and it seems like it might help with giving you the resources to be in Engineering, but I feel like you'd still have to do the same transfer process as everyone else transferring. Sorry couldn't be much help here, but goodluck!

[@lupepina9481]

Can you go over your experience taking chemistry in your first semester? Like how difficult was it? How long did you study for that class? How did you study for that class? Was it like your was calculus class experience?

[@BrianLoh]

Check out my video on the hardest classes at UIUC, honestly chem 102 wasn’t that bad

[@tarunbathini1535]

Hi, love the vid! Who'd you know how hard it is to transfer to a cs+x major? I got accepted for info sci.

[@BrianLoh]

Congrats! Not sure, the requirements changed a bit after I graduated but the info to transfer is online, just make sure you follow it thoroughly!

[@krazykara1327]

Did you need to write a resume or join specific clubs to show interest etc or was purely on GPA? at this time in 2024 even if accepted to UIUC can't do an internal transfer to CS

[@snapdrummer07]

What do you think about CS+music at UIUC?

[@BrianLoh]

don't know much about it but took a CS audio engineering class and it was pretty cool

[@pedropadilla9084]

Legend

[@aaravvarma1143]

Hey! So now obviously times have changed but does anyone know if it’s possible to do a double major, I got into cognitive science but to do a double major in CS + X program specifically the linguistics one? Is that a hard/impossible switch if I’m already in the CLAS?

[@PurpleJCAT1]

This was a super helpful video! I might’ve missed this but major were you in before you transferred to CS?

[@BrianLoh]

biochemistry! Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheTeenInnovator]

I love your story, I would love to interview you on my channel!

[@BrianLoh]

Sure!

[@Swe7202]

Hii. I got admitted to the masters in Aerospace engineering non thesis program in UIUC. How can i change that to the thesis program.

[@everythingemma9884]

I got into DGS (second choice) and my first choice was Gies College of Business... honestly considering not going to Illinois because I’m so scared I won’t get into Gies and I’ll be at Illinois for nothing :/

[@BrianLoh]

Not sure about College of Business, but ask your advisor! Goodluck!

[@MissleOfMinecraft]

Transferring into Gies is not that difficult just get mostly As and you should be good

[@z-man2211]

@@MissleOfMinecraft Hey Im an incoming freshman and trying to transfer into Gies from the college of LAS. Did you go through the Gies intercollegiate transfer process?

[@cloud8639]

basically if u got all As, transferring into any major is guaranteed. And the required courses for getting into Gies are fairly easy in terms of workload.

[@opinionated1944]

Hi! Can anyone tell me how the program MSIM is from the iSchool of UIUC

[@vinaypaul7987]

i didnt know colleges gave out A+s

[@srivardhankarnati9569]

Hey, idk if you check these comments anymore but here's the thing, I got accepted for Computer Science for UIC, but got my second choice major for UIUC (Mathematics). Would it be in my best interest to do Computer Science at UIC and then try transferring to CS/Math + CS at UIUC, or sticking with Math at UIUC and then try switching to Math + CS after first semester?

[@BrianLoh]

Honestly depends per person since there are so many factors. If youre end goal is to be in Computer Science, UIC is guaranteed position and UIUC is not guaranteed that you'll switch in the first semester. I'd say speak to your advisor to get a better understanding of what to expect in each college and figure it out from there. Goodluck!

[@srivardhankarnati9569]

@@BrianLoh Hey thanks for replying. I really wanted to go to UIUC, but all I can think of is the risk associated with it. I would rather do computer science 4 years than math 4 years. I could always transfer to UIUC during college.

[@aaronjiang6420]

@@srivardhankarnati9569 did you end up choosing uic?

[@rosepink2773]

Please how to get free tuition for one of these universities in Illinois ?! Which ones?? My daughter has early graduation from her high school in illinois… And she wants to do about Computer with high salary and she confused….Any advice 🙏🏻 thank you,

[@shubhammehrotra687]

Hi. I was wondering how hard transferring to chemical engineering will be?

[@chinmaysinghal8997]

So, in total how many years did it take you to graduate? I have an offer for computer engineering from UIUC, and might consider transferring to CS

[@BrianLoh]

4 years! I basically followed the route of a normal cs student so didn’t have any setbacks time wise

[@ritapal4340]

HI! could u able to change ur major from CE to CS in 2nd yr?

[@chinmaysinghal8997]

@@ritapal4340 Nah, I like CE. Didn't try to switch to CS.

[@ritapal4340]

@@chinmaysinghal8997 is there any option to change from CE to CS? How is ur CE course? how u feel to do CE rather than switch to CS? Now every body is only talking about CS. So we confuse either stick with CE or switch to CS. My daughter applied there with major EE AND she got offer from UIUC & GEORGIA TECH. Which one u feel better for CE? Is it ok to get internsihp?

[@halo3z]

Honestly, this video gives me hope that I could transfer into CS! Before you transferred did you join any clubs or have any projects that you believe might've given you a step up in the transfer process?

[@BrianLoh]

I joined ACM and did some research projects with professors. According to the advisors they don't help with the transfer process, but they do give you something to talk about in the essay to show your interest in CS.

[@repulsiveUSA]

O P E

[@armaansaxena2056]

what was the major?

[@whitepandastudios2523]

what were your stats like gpa and test scores and did you have any achievements like awards or something that you put on your application?

[@BrianLoh]

Answered in the recent GPA/Extracurriculars video!

[@raneena5079]

Now it's impossible to transfer into CS

[@kyan2000]

Yeah, that is what i was told in 2022 prospective student meeting. If this is allowed, who wouldn't use this backdoor to get into UIUC CS ?

[@Unfiltered6822]

Hey yoh I am from Champaign

[@somecallmevic]

I love how you just made a program that LOCKED YOU OUT OF THE APPLICATION SITE XD It was just too good a program huh...

[@cascade5682]

It was a thousand times better than anything else.

[@tl1400]

Hi! I'm a freshman at UIUC. I received an EE offer from Purdue and Global studies(Second Major) from UIUC. I heard that it is super hard for students who are in liberal arts to transfer to Engineering Department. Do they have the same requests for liberal arts students? I'd really appreciate it if you could give me some information.

[@BrianLoh]

If you are in LAS, you can transfer to the CS+X program which is similar core CS classes with emphasis on the X (math, stats, advertising, etc.) That requirement may be a bit easier to get into since you are already in the college of LAS. If you're going for CS in Engineering, I believe the requirements are pretty much the same for everyone trying to transfer from non-engineering. I transferred from Biochemistry to CS so it's definitely doable. Hope this helps!

[@tl1400]

@@BrianLoh thank you for replying!

[@tl1400]

@@BrianLoh but still, does LAS have same requirements to transferring into engineering school as you mentioned in the video?

[@BrianLoh]

@@tl1400 Not sure, you'd have to ask your advisor

[@ruidihuang6609]

Hi Brian! I am a rising sophomore majoring in math! I saw you took INFO 490 the python programming class! Do you think it was useful? Is it worth occupying three credit hours?

[@BrianLoh]

I took it more to fulfill the requirements I needed to transfer. The class itself had cool assignments that you had to do but I wasn't too interested in python but if you are interested in it, it's a pretty straightforward not too difficult class.

[@ruidihuang6609]

@@BrianLoh Thanks!! I think I will take it!

[@allentchang]

I transferred from Liberal Arts and Sciences Undecided to Electrical Engineering at UIUC back in 1996 without any problem. The Dean looked at my record and said "Okay, you're in."

[@user-ce7ex1xy4u]

I wonder how the student can park his car while living in the school dormitory. Can he request a parking lot? I need your help. Thank you. :)

[@BrianLoh]

I think you can buy a parking pass from local apartments near the dorm. Or here's a student permit link : parking.illinois.edu/permits-forms/student-permits

[@user-ce7ex1xy4u]

Thank you so much :)

[@imamervin6278]

Hey! Do u suggest applying to a CSX program or CS as first choice ?

[@BrianLoh]

I answered this in the new Q&A video! It's a personal preference. If the X Program is something you're interested in, go for it!

[@imamervin6278]

​@@BrianLoh oh ok,just one more question, so my initial plan was to get a double major in cs and eco, that's when I came across the cs+eco program. i understand that cs+x programs are from the liberal arts college and cs is from the engineering college. so the super dumb question is that does it matter to employers which college the cs degree comes from; like is a cs degree from liberal arts considered "lesser" compared to the one from the engineering college? thank you!

[@BrianLoh]

@@imamervin6278 Good question! It doesn't matter. Employers care more about whether you can pass the coding interview questions than which college you graduated from.

[@karolis4705]

Ayo going to uiuc for cs next year, any tips or Recommendations ?

[@BrianLoh]

First of all congrats! And as for tips, general tip : explore the whole campus, try not to isolate yourself to the engineering side cs tip : make a coding friend group, it makes the assignments a lot more bearable Recommendation : chicken fried rice @ Golden Wok is the best

[@sunk4624]

Brian Loh can you reply the tips to me please? I can’t read your earlier message completely.

[@BrianLoh]

@@sunk4624 First of all congrats! And as for tips, general tip : explore the whole campus, try not to isolate yourself to the engineering side cs tip : make a coding friend group, it makes the assignments a lot more bearable Recommendation : chicken fried rice @ Golden Wok is the best

[@raynobel9489]

How much did you pay for uni

[@kimothy_tim]

@8:45

[@tomwebber140]

What were your high school stats?

[@BrianLoh]

Not good enough to get accepted to CS on my first try lol

[@tawnystaniszewski2226]

I loved the vlog so much. You for sure need to put out more content. The part at 1:12 is my favorite. You have to totally connect with Bad Friends! Their videos are similar to Vitaly mixed with Faze Rug! They're a new group of friends in California. You should definitely check out their page out and give the crew a subscribe! 👉 #WarningBadFriends

[@AtomLabX]

Ahhhh, nah, thanks, I’m out.

[@AtomLabX]

Funny enough -- I forget I commented at this video, now I end up... wanting to apply! -_-