4.0 transferable GPA, 40-50 hr/week managing position, but no ECs. Chance for CAL.

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hello fellow students!</p>

<p>I became worried about my transfer to Berkeley because I don't have many ECs.
I work 40-50 hr weeks as a production manager for a home remodeling company while taking 12-14 units at a community college. This is insane to begin with, so I don't really have many volunteering hours (8 from domestic violence help organization for women, a few from a dog shelter, 8 from a community charity event, that's about it </p>

<p>Transferable GPA 4.0 (40 units so far, applying for transfer admission for 2011), completed the Honors Transfer program (took 8 honors classes when only 6 was really needed). Almost done with IGETC, just need the foreign language class, PE and a few more to get to 60 units.</p>

<p>In my personal statement I'm planning to share my life journey:
I'm originally from Ukraine, moved here almost 3 years ago by myself (I was 19 at that time). I come from an educated family of engineers and educators, but not very rich meaning I haven't received any financial assistance from my mom since I've moved to the US (she's a single mom, by the way). So pretty much, I had to start completely from scratch here.
I learned English back in my home country, have an AA from an accredited university back home as well. I don't want to settle for less than the best education, and I'm going to do everything to achieve my goal. </p>

<p>I'm not sure what they will think about my story, I'm not planning on whining how hard it is etc, I just want to show how determined I am. Also, as I already mentioned above, I don't have many volunteering hours and don't think I will be able to get them considering my tight work/school schedule. I work Mon-Fri 9-5:30 at the office, attend night classes 2-3 days a week, have lots of homework both in-class and online, work overtime on weekends (helping arranging trade shows for the company because I need more money). I can't give up my full-time job to volunteer, and a part time job will not pay my bills) It will be quite upsetting if they deny my application simply because they'll think I don't ever want to help the community. </p>

<p>Please, suggest how to better construct my personal statement, or what else I can do to make up for the community service.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot in advance!</p>

2

<p>What major are you applying for?</p>

3

<p>honestly I think you have a good shot but no one knows for sure. Admissions to UCs seem to be all over the place this year but I wouldn’t worry too much. Good luck to you!</p>

4

<p>What major are you applying for? I’m pretty sure CAL cares A LOT more about your grades than your EC’s. I just applied for electrical engineering with a 4.0, I don’t have a job or any EC’s, but I have all the prereqs done and IGETC completed. </p>

<p>Usually EC’s are only a big part of your application when you’re on the edge. They can help you out if your application is on the borderline and they need to decide between you and someone else.</p>

5

<p>As everyone said What major are you applying for?</p>

<p>There is a big difference between with a 4.0 no Ec’s applying to HAAS and say a 4.0 and applying for Asian American studies.</p>

6

<p>oh sorry, forgot to mention:
I’m applying for Legal Studies major at Berkeley, and Psych major at UCLA.
If possible, chance me on both :slight_smile:
Eventually, I’m planning on going to Law School…</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

7

<p>40-50 hours of work is an extracurricular. Everyone seems to think ECs are only things like student clubs etc., but working full time at a real job while maintaining a 4.0 is way more impressive than being President of the finance club at CCC. Especially so if the job had the level of responsibility that ‘production manager’ suggests. Most applicants need the ECs because there’s no other way for them to demonstrate motivation and responsibility.</p>

8

<p>I’d say you’re in at UCLA and have a really good chance at Berkeley. Great GPA (keep it up till you apply) and solid work experience :)</p>

9

<p>I didn’t read your whole post.</p>

<p>But, 40 to 50 hrs per week is your EC.</p>

<p>If you’re done with prereqs, IGETC, and 4.0 then you are good for almost all majors.</p>

10

<p>I think you’re easily in at CAL and any UC u want. A 4.0 is very impressive and what is even more impressive is that you have been working full time. That counts as an extracurricular and looks more impressive than being a leader of some club in college. Enjoy Berkeley and good luck when you apply for law schools.</p>

<p>As long as you show determination and a hunger for challenge I don’t see how Berkeley could reject you with your stats. What you should probably be more worried is how you will pay for Berkeley and later on law school.</p>

11

<p>i think your job indicates leadership skills, plus working full time and maintaining a 4.0, like many others say, is very impressive! also your life story seems pretty impressive also, knowing that you had to start from scratch and you were from a different country, it also shows that you are very progressive. i think you have a good chance!</p>

12

<p>I think you have got a good chance at Berkeley, and basically at other schools like everyone said here…
but what Xptboy said brought up a question that i have been thinking too…
I work almost like a full-time as well to support myself, and with this budget cut and stuff, I am worried if schools would actually give the chance to ppl with similar stats but not having to work full-time to support their lives, rather than people like me…</p>

13

<p>I was under the impression that work experience WAS an EC.</p>

<p>Either way, remember that transfer admissions are evaluated differently than freshman admissions. Transfer students are frequently very untraditional students (older, parents, etc), and at the very least most are somewhat supporting themselves, even if they still live at home. Admission committees not only understand this, but they look more favorably on an applicant that has a few key things going for them than one that obviously padded their application with a bunch of clubs. </p>

<p>They will definitely not reject you because of your lack of community experience. I think that the only way you could be rejected is if you applied for super competitive HAAS, in which case I’d say you still have an excellent chance. You’re the applicant that makes my application look sub-par…</p>

14

<p>I’ve spoken with many admissions officers at Cal. They are all obsessed with one thing people don’t often mention here on College Confidential: a demonstrated interest in your major. If you do not demonstrate and discuss your interest in your major through your Essay (and also in your EC’s for some majors) then you jeopardize your chances! So make sure you talk show them you are passionate about your major and goal of major in at least one of your essays!</p>

15

<p>Oh thanks soooo much guys! wow, how relieving this info is…
I’m still gonna try to volunteer somewhere to get some hours. I was considering police peace patroling a few hours a week (on weekends). I’m interested in law enforcement and legal studies in general, so this should help demonstrate the interest in the major (that’s for Berkeley).
Now another thing is - I’m also fond of phychology. Not as much as legal studies, but UCLA doesn’t have a legal studies major. So phych it is.
As far as I understand, the same application and personal statement will go to both UCLA and Berkeley. So how should I express interest in both majors?
I’m attending Berkeley’s Honors Symposium on May 1st, 2010. They will have a personal statement workshop right after the symposium. This will be an incredible opportunity to sharpen my essay, but that means I need to bring at least a draft… I’m clueless about how to put everything in words… both figuratively and literally</p>

16

<p>Mikei, you said “at least one of your essays”. There are multiple essays?</p>

17

<p>Wow, we have such similar life stories!!! I also come from the former USSR, came to the U.S. when I just turned 21 with no family or friends. Now I’m also applying to Berkeley with the hope to start my life from scratch. As for your post, I think you have a great chance of being admitted, but I still wish you good luck just in case!</p>

18

<p>ksForBerkeley: in what city do you live right now? What major are you applying for, and what CC are you in now?</p>

19

<p>I’m currently attending CCSF. What about you?</p>

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<p>@ SmartPants: There are 2 personal statements (essays) that are required. </p>

<p>The first is about your major and any relevant experience you may have had that relates to it, or why you’re interested in your major.</p>

<p>The second is about a life experience you may have had or a time of hardship or something that helped you grow and develop as a person.</p>