Advice Needed: False Start After HS, 4.0 at Community College

Transfer Students
1

<p>From 2006-2007 (two semesters), I attended a small, private liberal arts college. For a number of reasons I didn't do well: After the second semester ended, I had a 2.06 cumulative GPA. I left, returning to my home state of California.</p>

<p>I attended a California Community College part-time at first, and shifted to full-time in Fall 2009. I completed 23 semester units with a 4.0 GPA between January and June of 2010.By the end of Fall, I'll have 61 UC-transferrable community college units (plus the units above). Since I've received a 3.95 GPA at community college (my only B was in an online business class) I'm applying to UCLA, though it's a reach since my cumulative GPA is 3.37. I'm hoping TAP will help there; we'll see. My second choice is UCSD, which I'll be guaranteed acceptance to.</p>

<p>That said, I'm trying to determine if there any other colleges or universities I ought to apply to (I'm a political science major). Again, while my overall GPA is mediocre, it's a striking shift from the original four-year (which, I might add, has dismissed all of the professors that taught me, and nearly lost its accreditation last year) to the community college. </p>

<p>It's not as though I made a gradual improvement—as soon as I left the original college, I started pulling 4.0s. I think that would make me more competitive than a student who got mostly Bs and some As and ended up with a 3.37, but maybe not.</p>

<p>Anyway, where, if anywhere, should I apply aside from the various UC campuses?</p>

2

<p>What would you be looking for that you can’t get from a UC? Is money a factor?</p>

3

<p>Since you are a combo of 4-year plus Community College be sure to not exceed their maximum number for UC transfer. Each campus has a sightly different number but it is usually between 84 and 90 units (ALL units, including those in progress). This number is <em>different</em> from the number of units accepted. Note that if you had only attended CCC that the unit limit doesn’t matter. Put another way, the UCs will accept Junior and Senior+ transfers from CCCs, but if you already have 4-year experience they will only accept Juniors - so find that cut off number and plan accordingly. </p>

<p>If the number is too high (4year + CC) the UCs will disqualify your application because they don’t take Senior transfers! So count count count! (Realize that a lot of well meaning CC counselors aren’t even aware of this rule!)</p>

<p>With a 3.3 (with a sharp upward trend) you can apply to many California privates and likely get in - Santa Clara, St Marys, USF, Mills, LMU, and possibly others as well. Pomona and Stanford are reaches.</p>

4

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Money is always a factor, but I doubt I’ll find a better deal than the UCs. Really, I’m just looking to maximize my options. I live fairly close to the Claremonts; I’d give some serious thought to them.</p>

<p>

I’m well aware of this. I’m walking a tightrope, but I’m able to work it out where I’ll complete all IGETC GE requirements, plus the major prep requirements for political science at UCLA and UCSD (and a few others, merely by chance), and end up with 61 CCC UC-transferrable units. Adding the 27 units from the LAC gives me a total of 88 units (though I suspect some of those 27 units will be deemed non-transferrable). Doing it this way keeps me under 90 in a worst-case scenario (I’d love for all those units to be determined to be non-transferrable, and therefore not factored into my GPA, but that’s just wishful thinking), but above 60 in case my wishful thinking comes true.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, it means I can only take 10 units this fall, and none in the spring. I literally can’t, or I’ll be ineligible for UCSD, UCSB, UCSC, and UCD. I’ll have to explain that in my application for UCLA’s sake.</p>

<p>And yeah, I realize a lot of CCC counselors don’t know about this. I spoke with a counselor who several professors recommended highly as an “expert,” and she told me not to worry about UCSD’s unit maximum. I know she’s wrong, and that’s been confirmed both on UC’s website and by a UCSD admissions representative.</p>

<p>

Stanford a reach? Don’t they have a 1% acceptance rate for transfers? If Stanford’s truly a reach, I’ll definitely apply, but I thought Stanford would be impossible for me. Do I have any chance at McKenna?</p>

<p>For what it’s worth, I have some pretty unique soft factors I can include in the application essays, such as testifying for the prosecution in the corruption trial of a sitting city councilman, and giving on-record, published statements to the media regarding the activities of an elected office. As a political science major, I think I’d be able to bring a unique perspective to whatever university I attend. </p>

<p>I’m debating how to work this sort of thing in, if I should at all, but I think it may be a way to make my application stand out. Any advice on this would be appreciated.</p>

5

<p>Sorry, yes, Stanford should be listed as a super-reach, because it is insane for all transfers!</p>

<p>I know someone who got into McKenna with a 3.3, though she was also very active in college ECs.</p>

<p>I’m glad you knew about the units-cap for transfers from 4years+CCC to UCs. It is very much not commonly known and I mention it whenever I can as my own personal public-service schtick. :)</p>

<p>I think an essay about your passion and experience in politics is a very good hook - though needs to be more than just a news bulletin of your flashiest moments. Be sure to blend it with a larger theme - that probably sounds a bit vague but hopefully you understand what I’m getting at. It is the process of engaging some random Adcoms into believing in <em>you</em> and wanting to further invest in you as a person by admitting you into their campus community.</p>