When I was in high school I had a 4.0, played varsity soccer for 4 years, and was the lead in every school play. My high school is in LA and is ranked pretty high in terms of college prep. Anyways, I was rejected from UCLA AND UCB but accepted into UCSB and UC Davis. I went to UCSB for 1 year and it was a bad experience. I became extremely depressed and was put in the hospital on a 72 hour hold at one point. My grades started off strong, but tanked in my spring and summer quarter.
In the fall I went to Community college to finish my GEs but now I’m wondering if I have a chance of getting into UCLA, or CSULB. My GPA at UCSB ended up being a 2.5 and my CC GPA is a 3.7. My major is psychology and I have an AA at community.
Lastly, if my odds are low, would it be better for me to go back to UCSB for a year and then try to transfer to UCLA or stay at community college?
Thank you!
Another year at UCSB would not work. You have to be a junior to xfer into UCLA, and they calculate it by units. The way the formula works they cap the units earned at CC’s at 105 quarter units and then add on anything you’ve earned at a UC. Any UC. So assuming you have a year’s worth of CC credits, add that onto 2 years worth from UCSB and you will be over the limit of 130 units as discussed on pg 33 of http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/quick-reference-2018.pdf and https://www.admission.ucla.edu/FAQ/TR_Before.htm
you can lookup xfer admission chances by gpa at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major to estimate your chances
If time is not a factor, my advice would be to try to apply to UCLA directly from the CC and if you aren’t admitted, then see if you can readmit to UCSB. While your grades there weren’t great, you were still above a 2.0 and most schools will take you back (check with UCSB to find out their specific readmission requirements).
So this way, worst case is you don’t get into UCLA but you at least gave it a shot and you still have UCSB (which is a great school).