<< would you say it's more important to get the prereqs for ce or more important to take the cse class? because i don't want to take more than 10 credits next quarter, and i still need to take math 307 and phys 123 for the ce reqs. >>
Do whatever you can to show that you're taking the right classes towards a CS or CE degree. However, I don't think you should go with less than 12 credits because it may give off the impression that you're slacking for a quarter to pull up your GPA.
You obviously can't enroll in a CSE majors class without talking to the advisors. My understanding of the situation is that they'll let you take a majors class to see if you can hang with people in the department. If they decide to let you do this and give you an option for classes, then go for 341 (programming languages), 378 (machine organization and MIPS assembly programming), or 370 (intro to digital design). You'll have a pretty strong case if you can pull a 3.6 or higher in any of those courses, especially 378. 378 is one of the most hardcore non-theory 300-level classes in the department. I had to drop this one, but I'll be retaking it next Fall because it's a grad requirement.
This is just my opinion and understanding of the process based on my own and others' experiences. The advisors will definitely give you a better answer. Schedule an appointment with them as soon as you can so you can register for the right courses for Spring. It's probably best to do this in person, even if it is with the receptionist, so they can match a face to a name.
<< CSE or CE?!?!?! >>
CSE = Computer Science and Engineering
CS = Computer Science, under the College of Arts & Sciences
CE = Computer Engineering, under the College of Engineering
The first is used a little too much at UW because the two departments are so closely related. For all intents and purposes, you can declare yourself a CS major and take a bunch of CE-related classes (embedded systems, VLSI, digital design) before graduating. The converse isn't true however, because CE falls under the College of Engineering and they have less electives.