Best advice for UC hopeful....

<p>I started my first semester at a CCC this fall.....
I'm looking at communications for UC Davis/UCSD
Media studies for Cal
Sociology for UCSB and LA</p>

<p>My "dream" is Cal or LA. </p>

<p>With those majors, of which I know are impacted at most of the schools, what's the best way for me to be a strong applicant? GPA? IGETC? pre-reqs? extra curriculars? Or a combination of everything?</p>

<p>Right now I'm struggling in a few courses but know I'll end up with a 3.3 at the very least. I've planned what pre-reqs and all courses I tentatively could take, and plan on signing TAG agreements & being a part of TAP when it comes times to transfer (which is hopefully in 2 years).</p>

<p>All advice is appreciated! Thanks</p>

<p>(sorry I have so many q's, but I want to hear from transfers and students themselves, not just counselors)</p>

<p>GPA is the most important. 3.3 is decent but for Cal it might not be enough. (Just my opinion) Still, for sociology the average GPA may be different (higher or lower) so I would focus on the GPA of people who got into that major. The data is out there just find it. Also, EC’s are important so you have to do something outside of campus for sure or you wont get in. IGETC is not a factor at all when they consider admissions, only after you are accepted do they look at your IGETC certificate. TAG agreements are always good but Cal and UCLA don’t have TAG agreement programs, only the other UC’s do. TAP is good to go with but you have to start now. Upward grade trends are good so try and pick up your GPA within two years; should be easy because only later when you have more units is it hard to bring up your GPA. When you have little units it goes up pretty quick.</p>