<p>So I will be attending UCR this fall but I would like to transfer to another UC after two years (right now the list is UCB, UCLA,UCSD UCD, UCI, UCSB, and UCSC but it could change depending on how things go). I didn't do as well as I would've liked in high school causing UCR to be the only UC I was accepted to. I did get waitlisted at UCSC but they unfortunately took no one off the waitlist this year which really, really disappointed me. While I know it is easier to transfer from a CC as they get higher priority, my parents would prefer I go to UCR so I have something to fall back on plus they want me to have the college experience. If any UCR students read this, please don't berate me for this. While UCR is a nice school, I don't think it's for me and that I would be happy there all four years. I know I had the potential to do better in high school and get in the universities I wanted to get into so it's more of a personal thing.</p>
<p>I would like to hear some success stories and advice regarding choosing classes, GPA, and extracurriculars. The big question I have is that if you are trying to transfer to another UC, does the major at that UC have to be offered at yours for it to work?</p>
<p>It’s okay man. When I was at bruin day, I met a girl who said she transferred from UCR. She was leaving behind all her friends, her boyfriend (who came with her to bruin day), and you know all the fun times they had there and stuff. She is transferring as an anthropology major next fall and she said that while her time at UCR was great, the reason she’s leaving was because she always wanted to go to UCLA. I guess that motivation kept her GPA high (I think she said like 3.8ish) and well I don’t really know what she did but she got in so I guess you know she did pretty well.</p>
<p>Here’s some personal advice regarding classes: explore your options while you’re at UCR. By the time you transfer, you better have a good idea on what you want to do. While I’m transferring to UCLA from a CCC, I did try classes that I otherwise might not have taken because all the classes I wanted were full. Take an art history class or a geology class; you’d be surprised how interesting some of these subjects are. </p>
<p>I’m not sure exactly but I think she also said she’s doing some “other” field within anthropology, like cultural anthro to something else. Good luck.</p>
<p>I am a UC to UC transfer so I can empathize with your situation. I went to UCI for my first 2 years of university and this year I was admitted to UCLA and Berkeley as an intercampus transfer. People will tell you that intercampus transfer is super hard but honestly the only thing that makes it any worse for us is a lack of resources because we’re already UC students (Berkeley doesn’t give priority to UC to UC transfers but UCLA).</p>
<p>I feel like my intercampus transfer is a redemption for how poorly I did in high school. You might find that a lot of people at UCR (or any other UC) won’t initially be happy with where they are and some will talk about transferring. In the end most don’t because they find something to love about their UC and honestly thats the best thing that can happen to you. I really really like UCI but I am leaving in part to prove that I was good enough for the best UC’s and in part to experience new things and get the most out of my undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>In terms of your questions; I highly recommend doing UCR’s honors program. I was actually going to go to UCR and be in their honors program but I ended up coming to UCI and doing the one here. The honors program will put you in a cohort of highly motivated students and it might help you establish community during your 2 years at UCR. The other thing is, community college students stand out when they take honors level courses so doing those at UCR might give you a leg up in admissions.</p>
<p>It sounds tacky but in terms of choosing classes, rate my professor is honestly the best resource for college students (except for actual anecdote by people you trust). As a UC to UC transfer you need to prioritize your GPA so look for professors that teach well and grade fair. I am transferring as a political science major and I have maintained a 3.9 so far. If you can keep you GPA above 3.7 you’ll definitely be a competitive applicant (well, depending on your major of course, what is your intended major?).</p>
<p>Extracurriculars are not as important for transfer students in terms of admissions but please get involved on campus. You are going to a UC school and even though it may not be your first choice, take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Find one or two organizations that you can really identify with and be a part of them, maybe even get a leadership position your second year! I am in an organization that has branches in all the UC’s so when I transfer in the Fall I will hopefully slide right into the new UC’s organization.</p>
<p>In terms of the major this is a tough one. If it is any engineering major, most definitely yes. If you’re in Arts and Humanities or some majors in Social Science you might have some leeway. Your most pressing concern is completion of pre-requisite classes. Even if your UC doesn’t offer the major that you want, pre-requisite classes for most majors are usually lower division classes that are already available at most UC’s. Worst case scenario, if UCR is missing one or 2 of your pre-reqs then take them at community college over the summer. Completion of pre-reqs is SUPER IMPORTANT. I actually didn’t finish the pre-reqs for UCLA or Berkeley and I still got into poll sci which is rather competitive but I think my GPA and research experience helped boost me up. Whatever your intended major is, find out quickly (but take your time and don’t be afraid to switch) and get started on those pre-requisites.</p>
<p>All in all I’m pretty excited to transfer but it’s kind of bitter sweet. UCI has given me some amazing opportunities and I’ll be sad to give them up. This time in two years you might find yourself in the same position and when that time comes you’ll just have to make the judgement call for whether it is worth it for you personally to transfer. For me, the answer was yes and I am going to be a student at UC Berkeley next Fall. Feel free to ask me any questions about intercampus transfer or anything really! Good luck!</p>
I was thinking of applying for the UCR honors program and wanted to see my chances of getting in. What gpa and act/sat score do you think will guarantee my acceptance?