Hello guys, I am a Asian studying in a British university for computer science, year one currently. But the thing is that I used to study in UC Irvine for 4 month and only got 7 credits with zero GPA because they are pass or no pass credits. I was forced to drop calculus1 and intro to econ in my first quater due to the fact that i have Alevels which grants me credits for the two courses. The drama was that I did not know I can skip the courses when my advisor suggest me these two. Even though I performed perfectly in midterm I still left the class. Then I was really depressed because I tried hard in those two courses, which eventually lead me to drop out. Right now by my Alevels I am studying in Kings college London Computer Science Bsc, but I still kinda wish to complete my undergraduate in a TOP 30 US university. I really wish to know if there is anyone transfered from a British school year 1 to US school. It seems to be a complex process because of the difference in two systems.
my stats are like 1470 sat with perfect gpa in high school and A*AA in Alevel, currently 0 gpa in college because i have not complete one module/course. do you people think i have a shot for school like UMICH if i have a 4.0 in first semester? Also I want to know if US college accept transfers to send unofficial transcripts for evaluation because British colleges wont give a official one till the end of the academic year.
thanks for reading my story.
As a very strong computer science student, you should understand that “undefined” is not the same as “zero”. You probably should say that you do not have a university GPA yet.
I don’t see any harm in trying to transfer. Michigan is indeed a very good university and probably a reasonable school to apply to. U.Mass Amherst is very good for CS and might be a bit easier to get into but is not strictly “top 20” (although I just saw a USNWR ranking that did have it at #20 for CS, which I think may be well deserved). Waterloo is very good for CS and very well known, but of course is not in the US. Returning to UC Irvine might be another possibility. There are lots of other very good US schools to consider (and also more outside of the US).
I am pretty sure that any good university in North America will be well aware with the grading systems in the UK, and will understand your inability to get an official transcript until the end of the year.
One unknown in all of this is your budget. Financial aid is tough for international students who apply as transfer students.
Another thing to consider is that you are currently at a very good university with a strong CS program.
You will need to ask some professors where you are for references. I don’t see any problem with this. They should be helpful and should not take it personally.
Keep your grades up where you are. What classes you will get credit for is something that you probably will not know for sure until you start at a university in the US.
And be aware that the US does not generally give international students the right to stay here after graduation. You will be expected to return to you host country. This is a contrast to some other countries.
International transfer admissions are dicey. Top universities have very few spots for transfers (because not too many freshmen leave).
Your transcript from UC Irvine will follow you and will negatively impact your odds.
Finally, you’ll be expected to be full pay.
There may be some concern about the fact that you are trying to attend your third college / university in a two or three year period.
You have not shared a good reason for wanting to transfer.