<p>I am an international student at a 4 year state university in US. (A state that is next to CA)
My college GPA is 3.93 and I am a computer major sophomore student with 77 semester credits. I tried my best to write two decent application essays.
I applied to UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD and UCI, now I have been rejected by UCSB, UCSD, UCLA. UCB and UCI are still pending but I know I will be rejected by all of them.</p>
<p>I only asked UCSB why I was rejected, since I like that school very much. The admission officer told me that one of my two writing classes was not transferable, so I didn't meet the minimal requirement. I have taken two writing classes, the first in my college and the second one at a local community college. (I took 12 credits at a local cc, because it's cheaper) The first writing class that I took in my college is not transferable because its name contains "ESL". I have explained it in the additional comments that my college doesn't allow intl students to take traditional English classes, but it obviously didn't work. Now I am waiting for other colleges that don't require two writing classes. Three letters "ESL" totally ruined my uc application.</p>
<p>I just want to let you guys know that please don't apply to UC if you are from another state or country and have not met the minimal requirement. (60 credits, two writing classes, etc.) Basic requirements are really important. GPA is not everything.</p>
<p>Now I hope I can get in some other private colleges.. UCs are pretty wonderful schools but I have to say byebye:(</p>
<p>That is quite unfortunate that you got rejected because of those courses. 
They tend to be quite strict about those requirements and I’d imagine the articulation process is complicated for inter-state transfer.
Well, wish you the best on the other decisions. :)</p>
<p>I do not see anything wrong for international students to take a regular English class if he/she is at that level.</p>
<p>i read a newspaper last week saying that “UC’s admitted 44% more international students/OOS this year”
i’m also an international student…i had D for my English 1A 2 years ago…but i was admitted to both UCLA (Chem) and UCSD (C&EN).</p>
<p>ESL classes generally aren’t viewed the same as an English class, international or not. I’m an English tutor at my cc, and usually ESL students can take English 100/101 after completing a sequence of ESL/remedial Engl. But ESL classes also aren’t a substitute/equivalent for English courses. </p>
<p>You still should be able to take English. I’d check with your cc on that one. Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>u do realize that all UC’s have a very major general requirement? 1 class of math, 2 classes of english, and 60 units finished? if u dont have that, then gpa doesn’t even fit into the equation.</p>
<p>-pinkpig0086
Thank you!
-chaoticgame
Congratulations!
-leeshkeesh22
Thank you!
Why do I need to check with my cc? The English class I took at cc was transferable, the non-transferable one is the one that I took at my university. I attend University of Arizona, believe it or not, ESl courses here are equivalents of regular English classes. Native speakers take ENG101, 102; intl students take ENGL 107, 108. 107 is the equivalent for 101, 108 is the equivalent for 102. I am not allowed to take any regular non-ESL English writing class.</p>
<p>ieatsharks
I understand that. However, it’s impossible for me to take writing classes at U of A. The university doesn’t allow me to take those courses because I am an intl student. My second transferable writing course was even taken at a community college. I have explained my situation in the comment of the application, but I think the admission officer even didn’t see it. I don’t like the policy of my school for intl students but I can’t change it. What can I do?</p>
<p>I’m with leeshkeesh22. I don’t know who told you that you can’t take a regular English class, just because you’re an international student. Once you complete the ESL curriculum, you should qualify for a college-level English class.</p>
<p>Another thing, if you’re already at the University of Arizona, and you’re going into your junior year, I would just focus on completing your baccalaureate degree, and getting the highest grades you possibly can. It’s very hard to transfer into the UCs from out-of-state, and I don’t even think the UCs accept senior transfers. You can always apply to the UCs for grad school, if you choose to go that route.</p>
<p>-hesdjjim
Thank you. Are you a U of A student?
That’s why my situation is complicated. You said
“Once you complete the ESL curriculum, you should qualify for a college-level English class.”
I want to let you know that, the ESL class I took is a college-level English class, it’s the equivalent for the first regular writing class. It’s not offered by any ESL program, it’s offered by the English department. Probably in most other schools intl students take regular English classes after completing their ESL courses. at U of A, for intl students, ESL courses are the regular English classes. If you are an intl student here, you can only take ESL classes. Is my explanation clear enough? :)</p>
<p>Now I have phoned the UCSB admission office and they encouraged me to appeal and send the syllabus of that class to UCSB, and I did.</p>
<p>Try informing UCB and UCI about the situation asap. Then worry about the other colleges. FIGHT ON!</p>
<p>Yeah, I realized that a little too late. Can’t go back and change the post, now.</p>
<p>Are you considering grad school, though? A 3.93 is a very high GPA for a computer science major, and if you can maintain it, you’d be a very competitive candidate. Plus, this ESL business would not likely be a factor, as the CS professors themselves make graduate admissions decisions in a committee. If you have time, I suggest you look for undergraduate research opportunities with your professors at U of A to boost your chances.</p>
<p>ieatsharks
I will make a phone call to them. Thank you for your suggestion!</p>
<p>hesdjjim
Thank you.
I don’t want to go to a grad school, but my parents want me to go to one. 
Actually I have been self-learning programming for many years so those computer introductory classes are easy to me. The funny thing is, so far I got only one B, and it was in my non-transferable “ESL” class that I mentioned above.
I will definitely try to find research opportunities and internships after transferring, and I don’t want to stay here anymore. The school is just fine, but I don’t like the location(a small town), I think I am a city man
Anyway, thank you for your advice.</p>
<p>ieatsharks is right. gpa is just one component. you have a number of things working against you: you are a non resident, you did not have the basic english writing requirement (huge problem), and were attending a four year university already (not a good thing in the eyes of the UC schools for transfers because they want kids from two years schools). </p>
<p>remember, you can apply to a UC once you get your BA, in case you want to earn an MA. good luck. sorry for the disappointment. admissions are stressful for us all.</p>
<p>Well, to answer your question of whether I’m a U of A student, the answer is no. I graduated from UC Davis last year. I’m now in the Masters program at Auburn University.</p>
<p>If you think you might change your mind about grad school, the UCs are great. They are much friendlier to their grad students than they are to their undergraduates, and your prospects for receiving financial aid would be a lot higher. The UCs have a good name, but their not worth paying $36,000 for out-of-state tuition.</p>
<p>Also, if you change your mind about grad school, I would highly recommend getting at least a Masters degree right out of college. Graduate research assistants typically get a tuition waiver and a small salary, which is fine for someone right out of college. However, if you wait until you have house payments plus children to take care of, it’s going to be a lot harder.</p>
<p>”u do realize that all UC’s have a very major general requirement? 1 class of math, 2 classes of english, and 60 units finished?“</p>
<p>I am also major in computer science major and planning transfer to a UC next Fall. I am now pretty confused by the College of L&S requirements. It says “The L&S Requirements in Reading & Composition, Quantitative Reasoning, and Foreign Language”. Does that mean I don’t need to fulfill the Seven-Course Breadth Requirements? I am also an international student so do I have to take a class of Foreign Language?
Or I just need to finished one 1 class of math, 2 classes of english?</p>
<p>My friend was being forced to take an ESL class because she was from another country. I told her to not allow herself to take an ESL class. I told her to take a regular English class instead so it will look more appealing to the Universities and she did. Only because you speak poor English or have a heavy accent does not being you do not know the mechanics of the English language. She ended up taking the regular English class. DOn’t let your counselors dictate what you take especially at the CC level.</p>
<p>yumenonaka,
I have the same situation as you before.
I’m also an international student transfer from 4 year university to UC.
before I transfer I talked to a lot counselor in the California college.
They all told me the English Composition class for Non-native speaker is not transferable.
Thus, I took another 2 English Composition class for native speaker.
The things is like that you can take these 2 native speakers class after you take the non-native two.
It is waste time and money.
But it is the only way to do that.
UC would not accept the non-native English class (I know it is not ESL class, I have the same situation)
I already accepted by UCSD with 4.0 GPA, and still waiting for others.
You can try again after complete these native English class.
Good Luck!</p>