<p>I applied last year, for admission as a freshman, to UC Santa Cruz, and, on a whim, to UCLA. UCSC accepted me off the bat. I had subpar stats for UCLA by a long shot, and they denied me. However, I appealed their decision (wrote them a letter, got a letter of recommendation from my lieutenant) and they ended up guaranteeing my admission as a sophomore, as long as I completed a year’s worth of transferable credit. I’m doing that now; I just finished my first quarter at UCSC, and I’m planning on attending UCLA next year. I’m shooting for a major related to biology, and eventually for medical school.</p>
<p>I read the forums on this site every now and then, but this is the first time I’ve come across any veterans. It’s good to hear that so many of us are putting our benefits to use, and that a lot of you guys have some pretty ambitious aims. I thought I was the only one!</p>
<p>Good luck, sounds like you’re on a good track. Regarding transfer to UCLA, think about how important it is to you. UCSC is also a good school and may have a better atmosphere for an undergrad. I doubt that anyone, especially a med school admissions committee, would care if you graduated from one or the other.</p>
<p>Perhaps the best reason to transfer to UCLA is that it would open up more opportunities for an undergrad research experience, since you’d have options in the med school labs. This can matter for med school, but you could also work in a lab at UCSC.</p>
<p>Take my advice for what it is worth, though. After all, you’re a marine. I was army. :)</p>
<p>Thanks newmassdad. I know what you mean about UCSC, and I really do love the school. My dad earned his degree at the school, and my brother attends with me. </p>
<p>The real reason behind my transfer is my fiance; she’s sticking it out with me this year in Santa Cruz, but she’s from New York city, went to school at USC, and can’t stand small towns.</p>
<p>In a way, I’m sorry to go, because I know that schools rely on motivated students to give them a good name, and I feel like I could make a bigger contribution at UCSC than at UCLA, if only for its relative size. </p>
<p>However, as you pointed out, there are advantages to UCLA as well, including research opportunities and internships, but also course and majors. For instance, I’m considering a minor in Arabic, a course of study which is not offered at UCSC (though it used to be). That opportunity alone is pretty exciting to me; I learned to speak a good deal of the language, and to read and write it while I was in Iraq.</p>
<p>In any case, I’m amazed at the favor with which both UC’s have looked on my military service. When I applied four years ago, out of high school, I was rejected from UC Merced, as well as at least two out of three Cal State schools to which I applied! I can’t say I disagree with their decisions either; I’m much more prepared for college than I was at 18.</p>
<p>SPC (P)/E-4/ Army
Transportation Management Coordinator</p>
<p>Ft. Bragg
LSA Adder
Camp Bucca
Arif Jan and Ali
starting next month Camp Victory</p>
<p>I just found out I got into St. John’s College in Annapolis for fall 2011 and am really excited about it. I wanted to go there straight out of high school but couldn’t afford it. Now they are part of the yellow ribbon program so no worries on that score. I should have applied for fall 2010 but decided to extend and do another deployment.</p>
<p>E-4 USAF 6 years 02-08
Spanish Linguist
Stationed in TX most of the time</p>
<p>Nice to see so many of you here!</p>
<p>Finishing IGETC this semester at a CC. Choices: UCB, UCLA, UCSC, UCSD, SFstate(jic). Apps in and I’m going nuts waiting for decisions! I want to study English/Linguistics and apply to Law school after that.</p>
<p>One thing that i have learned since i’ve been in the military…if someone wants to know about you and get information on you it doesn’t matter if you post it or not they’re going to get it. </p>
<p>“beware of the Jurf Ninja!!..hes watching you”</p>
<p>Sgt Rodriguez
USMC
MOS 5267 F/A-18 A/B/C/D Airframes/Hydraulics System
Expert Shooter Badge Few two NAMS
VMFA-134
MCAS Miramar San Diego CA
VFA-106
NAS Oceana</p>
<p>Poland,Hawaii,Germany,Iceland,Canada,France,Mexico.
5 Yrs active duty. no NJP’s.</p>