A few quick questions regarding transfering to UCB

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hi guys, I am a student who will be applying to UCB for the Fall of 2016 and I just had a few questions that hopefully one of you can answer.

My first question is about the application itself. I am extremely interested in the EECS/MSE joint major (http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-guide/joint-majors/eecs-and-materials-science-engineering) offered at Berkeley. Can I apply for this directly as a transfer student? Or do I need to apply as either EECS or MSE and then switch into the joint major if I am accepted. I have found some conflicting about this information online.

My second question is kind of a follow-up to the first one. The major preparation section on the University of California website (http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/preparation-paths/electrical-engineering-majors/ucberkeley-electrical-engineering.html#ucbeecsmse) says that for the joint major you need to take physics through Physics 7C. I’m applying from an out of state community college in Illinois, and here we only offer two semesters of physics, the same is the case for a many of the community colleges in Illinois, so this may just be a difference in how our two states arrange their physics courses. Will this affect me negatively?

And lastly, the question that I’m sure you’re all sick and tired of hearing! What are my chances:

I will be applying with a ~3.6 GPA, which I am aware is not very competitive at all for EECS; however, my GPA is only as low as it is because of poor grades from my previous attempt at community college. I started back with a 1.7, so I feel like my upward trend is very strong. Last semester I took 19 credits on top of working and managed a 4.0 for the semester. As for EC’s I started tutoring math, physics, and chemistry at my college this summer. That’s really the only EC I have since I have a 4 year old, which obviously demands a lot of my time.

I’ve also heard that in some cases Berkeley will request additional information in the form of letters of recommendation from students. My chemistry professor is fairly convinced that because of my situation with returning to school, and being a young father the university will request the additional information. If this is the case I am capable of getting very strong recommendations from both my Chemistry and Physics professors as I was very active in participating, and the top scorer in both classes.

If anyone could shed an light on any of these questions it would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’m not familiar with the Engineering college at Berkeley, so I’m sorry I am of no help there. If you send the department and/or a counselor a quick email, they may be able to tell you.

LORs are only accepted for freshmen students, unless you are given a supplementary for a disability/special talent/ etc.

Since you are applying from an out of state (OOS) CC, use assist.org and estimate what classes you need to take.

3

Thanks for the reply Luckie! I could have sworn I’ve read stories on here of the university requesting additional information from transfer students and giving them the option to send LORs. Maybe I’m just going crazy :stuck_out_tongue: At any rate I wasn’t depending on them.

I have been trying to use Assist.org, but the EECS/MSE joint major isn’t listed on the site, which makes it difficult. My only real concern is that third semester of Physics though, as my cc offers everything else in the major requirements (but not many of the recommended courses) that is listed on the major preperations site I linked above. According to my Chem professor our little CC in the middle of nowhere has actually sent one student to UCB before, and he was a Physics major, so maybe that’s a good sign.

4

You’re not wrong. Some students are asked for a supplementary LOR, but that is not the norm. Most applications are reviewed sans LOR.