<p>I want to know how the UCs evaluate an applicant if they took a gap year and did not attend community college. Normally the UCs would look at sophomore and junior grades but if you take a gap year is it junior and senior? Sophomore, junior, and senior? Or do they disregard grades? Would there be a different prompt asking what I did with that gap year? Would I be able to retake SAT/ACT before I apply? Would they put less of an emphasis on ECs because I would be unable to take any during that year? Can someone answer all of these questions and maybe give some extra information that could potentially help someone a year or 2 down the line that might stumble on this thread? Thank you in advance. </p>
<p>My understanding is they evaluate you just as any other freshman applicant - that’s who you’ll be compared with. You can take the SAT/ACT again if you’d like. If you did something spectacular during your gap year, you can use your essay to highlight it.</p>
<p>So basically they would only look at sophomore and junior grades? </p>
<p>Same criteria they use for all other freshman applicants. </p>
<p>Did you apply to santa cruz zac?</p>
<p>Also, you could go to SBCC for two years and transfer to UCSB. Take a look at that CC, it isn’t your ordinary CC. <a href=“http://www.sbcc.edu/”>http://www.sbcc.edu/</a></p>
<p>This summer I think you could apply for spring semester at some of the CSUs like Chico, too, which is beautiful, depending on what you want. <a href=“http://www.csuchico.edu/maps/photo-tour/index.shtml”>http://www.csuchico.edu/maps/photo-tour/index.shtml</a></p>
<p>No I didn’t apply to UCSC, but your idea of going to SBCC is amazing, </p>
<p>@zacattack16 if you want to go that route there are different ways, but the guaranteed way is to satisfy the terms of the TAG agreement between Santa Barbara CC and UCSB. You would take as many units as needed and no more than allowed, would have to take specified course requirements and get a specified gpa. You would need to day one go into the office at SBCC and make sure you understand all the requirements (also ask about other ways to transfer, which have fewer requirements but also aren’t guaranteed.) No offense, but you kind of threw a few college applications at the wall and hoped some would stick, from my viewpoint, and you do not want to do that for the transfer round of applications to UCSB. You need to do your homework because the paths are there for you, but you have to know where the paths are to stay on them. <a href=“Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) - Santa Barbara City College”>http://www.sbcc.edu/transferacademy/TAG.php</a> Here were the UCSB requirements for TAG for fall 2014, but they may change by the time you apply. <a href=“http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/docs/default-source/PDFs/ucsb-fall-2014-tag-criteria.pdf?sfvrsn=0”>http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/docs/default-source/PDFs/ucsb-fall-2014-tag-criteria.pdf?sfvrsn=0</a> Note SBCC also has cross enrollment with UCSB. If you try that, make sure it won’t disqualify you for TAG, because I read elsewhere there were problems with taking regular university classes (other than summer session) and still getting the TAG guarantee. There was someone on here wanting to TAG to another UC who had taken regular year courses under a cross enrollment agreement and it disqualified them from doing TAG - when he had thought it would be in his favor to show he was up to the course work. I don’t know if his circumstances were unusual or if that is always the case, but I note that those ‘once enrolled’ at a UC are not allowed to use the guarantee under TAG to apply. There are all sorts of rules that apply to TAG so you want to make sure you understand how it applies to you.</p>
<p>THEN, and this is no small matter, you have to realize that the renowned IV party scene is like a drug to some, and that it can absolutely throw you off your path. The majority of SBCC students never make the grades to transfer, and you want to be one of the ones who does make those grades. Those who party all the time are rarely those who do well in this regard. You will have to study like the average UCSB student, not like the average SBCC student, and remember where you are going, when you are making your choices of how to manage your time. That doesn’t mean never party. It means use the social opportunities as a study break, not as a lifestyle, and remember your goals. And beware the ‘duck’ syndrome, those who pretend to be too cool to study, but do it without talking about it. Like a ‘duck’, the work is under the surface where no one sees it.</p>
<p>Best of luck, whatever you do, and I know my alma mater (UCSB) would be lucky to get you!</p>
<p>Great advice!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!!! UCSB was tied with UCLA for my first choice, I might even consider doing this if by some miracle I do get into UCSB just to save some money. </p>