CC Transfer rejected 100%. Please help.

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>This is going to be long, so I apologize, but I really need help.</p>

<p>I'm a CC sophomore who was hoping to transfer to a UC next fall. I had a 3.6 or so up until last semester. I'm left at a 2.97. I had a really tough time, as I was supposed to transfer to another school that I loved and it got taken from me last minute. I relapsed into extreme depression and bulimia again at the beginning of the semester. I attempted suicide once as well. It has an extreme physical and mental effect on me. I had 5 classes and ended up with 3 Bs, a D, and an F. I am making up for F now (and getting a perfect score in the class). The professor knows that I struggled last semester and knows that I have no problem with the material. She said she would be more than willing to write me a rec letter if I need one. I'm also making up the D this summer, as well as one extra class, and know it's an easy A. I even had one professor, with whom I was taking two classes, bump my Cs to Bs by letting me make up the quizzes I had missed when I was gone. I was an amazing student when I was able to go to class, but my home life made it difficult. We make less than 15k a year, I bring in about 4k, and my single mother is self-employed. Money comes in unexpected spurts. With a nasty custody battle going on, I am also watching my now 6 year old brother often. I know there are those awesome people who come from torn homes that manage to get straight As and get into Harvard or whatever, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I applied TAG to UCSB, but obviously didn't make the 3.4 cutoff. I applied pipeline to UCSD and the cutoff from 3.0 (crazy). With my grades this semester, I will be able to make the 3.0 cutoff. I was clearly rejected from both. I had great HS grades and IB/AP scores, but I didn't apply to schools in HS because I didn't plan on living that long. I had wonderful EC and did water polo/swim on varsity for four years. But I just didn't apply. I didn't even think about it, nor did anyone push me or seem to care. It was a poor choice, as I could have easily gotten into a UC like every single one of my friends. I didn't know of the honors program or anything when I entered the CC, I was completely clueless. The counselors were of no help and it was too late by the time I found out. If</p>

<p>I was told that I would just have to stay here at the CC another year and become the class of 2015 rather than 2014. I don't know what classes I would even take. I'm capped out on units already. </p>

<p>I wondering if I should bother appealing? My grades significantly improved over last semester (5 As and 1 B) and it shows that I am much better. My depression has lessened and am I doing great recovery from my eating disorder. I don't know if I should mention that. It obviously had a significant effect on me. The thing is I was never officially diagnosed. I'm 100% of a bulimic relapse, the symptoms are pretty darn obvious. Depression is harder to self-diagnose, but I know that it came back. I would have no official way of documenting it. I don't know if that's necessarily new or compelling information. Neither of my parents went to college, other than a few classes, and my family seems to always go into the military rather than school. </p>

<p>I have a counseling appointment on Monday the 30th. The counselor used to be on the appeals board at UCSD, so I think I would be comfortable with him helping me. I just want some outside opinions as the counselors don't also do the best for me. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I posted this in the wrong thread earlier, so sorry if this is a repeat.</p>

<p>This is going to be long, so I apologize, but I really need help.</p>

<p>I’m a CC sophomore who was hoping to transfer to a UC next fall. I had a 3.6 or so up until last semester. I’m left at a 2.97. I had a really tough time, as I was supposed to transfer to another school that I loved and it got taken from me last minute. I relapsed into extreme depression and bulimia again at the beginning of the semester. I attempted suicide once as well. It has an extreme physical and mental effect on me. I had 5 classes and ended up with 3 Bs, a D, and an F. I am making up for F now (and getting a perfect score in the class). The professor knows that I struggled last semester and knows that I have no problem with the material. She said she would be more than willing to write me a rec letter if I need one. I’m also making up the D this summer, as well as one extra class, and know it’s an easy A. I even had one professor, with whom I was taking two classes, bump my Cs to Bs by letting me make up the quizzes I had missed when I was gone. I was an amazing student when I was able to go to class, but my home life made it difficult. We make less than 15k a year, I bring in about 4k, and my single mother is self-employed. Money comes in unexpected spurts. With a nasty custody battle going on, I am also watching my now 6 year old brother often. I know there are those awesome people who come from torn homes that manage to get straight As and get into Harvard or whatever, but unfortunately I’m not one of them.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I applied TAG to UCSB, but obviously didn’t make the 3.4 cutoff. I applied pipeline to UCSD and the cutoff from 3.0 (crazy). With my grades this semester, I will be able to make the 3.0 cutoff. I was clearly rejected from both. I had great HS grades and IB/AP scores, but I didn’t apply to schools in HS because I didn’t plan on living that long. I had wonderful EC and did water polo/swim on varsity for four years. But I just didn’t apply. I didn’t even think about it, nor did anyone push me or seem to care. It was a poor choice, as I could have easily gotten into a UC like every single one of my friends. I didn’t know of the honors program or anything when I entered the CC, I was completely clueless. The counselors were of no help and it was too late by the time I found out. If</p>

<p>I was told that I would just have to stay here at the CC another year and become the class of 2015 rather than 2014. I don’t know what classes I would even take. I’m capped out on units already. </p>

<p>I wondering if I should bother appealing? My grades significantly improved over last semester (5 As and 1 B) and it shows that I am much better. My depression has lessened and am I doing great recovery from my eating disorder. I don’t know if I should mention that. It obviously had a significant effect on me. The thing is I was never officially diagnosed. I’m 100% of a bulimic relapse, the symptoms are pretty darn obvious. Depression is harder to self-diagnose, but I know that it came back. I would have no official way of documenting it. I don’t know if that’s necessarily new or compelling information. Neither of my parents went to college, other than a few classes, and my family seems to always go into the military rather than school. </p>

<p>I have a counseling appointment on Monday the 30th. The counselor used to be on the appeals board at UCSD, so I think I would be comfortable with him helping me. I just want some outside opinions as the counselors don’t also do the best for me. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

3

<p>Did you ask this in the UC transfers sub-forum inside the Transfer Forum? That is where the experts are.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I just asked it there. I realized this wasn’t the best place to ask.</p>

5

<p>I don’t know much about the appeals process but why not try? You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. I would have your counselor for your depression and/or bulimia write a letter on your behalf and hopefully how it affected your semester and how you are getting it under control. I would also have the two teachers (you mentioned one) who gave you the D and F write recommendations. </p>

<p>I would at least try. BUT, if they do not change and offer you admission…PLEASE don’t let it get you down and back into a worse mental spot than where you where to begin with. Look at it as a challenge and keep up your good work and grades. It sounds like you are a bright person and you will have a lot to offer others by staying strong and accepting your situation no matter what the outcome is. </p>

<p>I wish you the best!</p>

6

<p>Do not mention depression, eating disorders or suicide to any college. It’s a sure fire way to never get in. Pull your GPA up and apply again.</p>

7

<p>If all of your classes are from CCs, you can’t be “capped out”. While it’s true you will only receive a certain amount of units from CC, you will receive subject credit for all classes. If you make up all of your failed grades and explain why you failed them, they won’t hold them against you. I would apply again next year. Take easy classes and a light schedule. Just make sure you make up those failed grades ASAP, it doesn’t look good to have them “in progress”. You only need a 3.2 to TAG to UCI, UCSB, and Davis. A 3.5 to TAG to SD. What’s your major?</p>

8

<p>@Waverly: Should I just get the two professors from the classes I failed to say they saw me struggle but that it wasn’t necessarily due to the material? I know it sounds dramatic to mention my personal problems, but they were severe during the time. I guess appealing can’t hurt. But I will definitely pull up my GPA and apply again. I’m very disappointed, but to giving up.</p>

9

<p>I was at a loss of words, my bad. I didn’t mean ‘capped out’ at units, I meant to imply that I fulfilled my GEs already. This is why I need to re-read things, sorry.
I’m not even sure what classes I would take. I’ve taken all the history ones pretty much, except for perhaps 2. Those failed classes are made up by the end of summer, I feel good about those. I guess I’m just as bummed about this because I’m one year behind my friends. We were the IB kids, so we were the top of our class. I just feel like the dumb one, sorry if that sounds shallow.</p>

<p>And I’m a history major.</p>

10

<p>TAG is a good idea. but you really need to get a handle on your stress. it will only increase after you transfer so whatever is bothering you, get to the root of it this summer and make sure to deal with it before you start a four year school. get some health counseling and figure out how to take things in stride, so you can make logical and rational decisions about school and life in general. find things that make you happy in nature dude, like going to the beach, and ignore heavy duty social activities while you sort out your life.</p>

<p>if you need to stay at a CC for another year, no big deal. just get healthy. and stay away from drama queens (kings).</p>

11

<p>I’m a History major too. :)</p>

<p>I would look up subjects you’re interested in and take them with easy classes. You could even do like 2 classes a semester. Do you know what your GPA will be when you’ve retaken those classes? Also, what schools are your top choices? And there’s nothing wrong with “being a year behind”. What’s one extra year in lifetime, really? Especially if it’s to reach your dreams. I too was an AP student that always got the highest scores on tests. I was a bit lazy though, and my GPA suffered. I went to a CC and will be transferring to UCLA this fall. How can you feel dumb if you’re transferring to a UC? You should be proud of your accomplishments. :)</p>

12

<p>@Northbeach: Literally everything that is causing me stress would disappear as soon as I transfer. Everything that causes me to get caught in such a negative thought process is right here at home. It sounds so dramatic, but whenever I’m away, I am a completely different person who only sees the best in things. </p>

<p>@LAforlife: I suppose I’ll just ask my counselor on Monday as well about classes and see how that hoes. I’m not sure of my GPA, but I will also get that calculated on Monday. I really want UCSB or UCSD. I’m from SoCal, so any UC would pretty much make me happy (except Merced or Irvine). I know an extra year really isn’t that big of a deal in the long run, especially since I want a PhD, which means I’ll be in school forever anyway. I guess I just feel dumb in comparison to my peers, which I know is a big no-no. And congrats on transferring to UCLA. =)</p>

13

<p>Ya, if you have a 3.2+ you can TAG to UCSB, and if you have a 3.5+ you can TAG to UCSD. If you have a 3.4+ I would apply to UCLA as well if you want to go there. I think Irvine is great too, but to each thier own lol. :)</p>

14

<p>I would attempt to appeal to UCSD / UCSB. It is stated that UCs don’t accept letters of recommendation, but if you try sending it through the appeal’s board or through the dean of your particular major, it’s more likely to get noticed. Although you may or may not get the opportunity to appeal, it’s worth trying. Like the previous poster mentioned, you really only lose a few hours of your time but potentially gain a year at the UC of your dreams.</p>

<p>If this is unsuccessful, I would still recommend taking classes at your CC and boosting your GPA. Although you may feel like you’ve taken all the classes, which is probably true, the purpose of a CC for many individuals is to gain insight about themselves at their own pace. So take the time to take classes you wouldn’t take otherwise. You may learn something about yourself in that philosophy class or chemistry class that you otherwise might not have known. Personally, I’m feeling somewhat nostalgic about leaving my college in a few weeks simply because there are many more classes I wouldn’t mind taking just for fun.</p>

<p>You really have no reason to feel poorly about yourself for not graduating this year. I can’t even count the number of friends I have who didn’t even start CC until 2-3 years AFTER high school, or those who’ve been in a CC for 5-6 years and will transfer after I’m already gone. I’m sure you’ll finish at the pace that you were meant to go at, but college shouldn’t be a competition; it’s a life experience for us all.</p>

15

<p>@LAforlife: I’ll probably apply as many places as possible next time. Irvine is nice, but it’s too inland for me. I’m not fond of the area at all. I’m positive that I can get all As in any class. That sounds really cocky, but I’m mentally in a better place and I know I have the potential to do it when I don’t get sucked in to my surroundings. Thanks. =)</p>

<p>@Jbarker91: I agree, I don’t think an appeal would hurt. The worst that could happen is that they say no. On the UCSB admission website, they say letters of recommendation aren’t required, but that two is the limit. I personally think it would look good if I got it from the professor that I got an F in the class. She is insanely kind and understands that I just wasn’t in the groove last semester. I also would miss my CC, there are so many wonderful classes that I want to take. </p>

<p>Side note: Thank you guys so much for any kind words. I don’t hear them that often and sometimes it takes the kindness from strangers to realize that things really aren’t as bad as they seem. It truly means a lot to me. So thank you. =)</p>

16

<p>@lilyblonde: Your story is very touching and I appreciate and admire your candor. It sounds like you have been dealt some fairly unfortunate cards in life, but that you are doing your very best to overcome your hurdles. Kudos to you. It sounds like you are still pretty young, I am guessing 20-21? Trust me, you have a lot of years ahead of you to figure things out and raise your GPA so that you can get into the UC that you want. Being one year behind your peers is really insignificant in the grand scheme of things. If it’s any consolation to you, I am 29 and I just got accepted to UCSD - talk about being behind your friends! I too struggled with depression and family issues during and after high school which made it near impossible to do well in school so I know where you are coming from. Life can be challenging at times, but you always have to stay strong and keep fighting until you get what you want in life, no matter how long it takes you. As the eloquent philosopher Joe Dirt once said, “Keep on keepin’ on!”</p>

<p>P.S. Look into Academic Renewal at your CC. The requirements differ from school to school, but if you meet them, then the GPA for classes you got D’s and F’s in are not used in calculating your GPA. I filed for AR at one of the CC’s I attended and had 3 or so F’s removed from my GPA which gave me a huge boost. Good luck!</p>

17

<p>@Kevron: Yeah, still young. Just turned 19 actually. The more I type it out, I’m forced to realize that it’s not the end of the world. It’s a temporary setback that may end up for the best. By the way, congratulations on your UCSD acceptance. =) And I actually have looked into the AR. The grade will still show up on my transcript with the new one, but the better one will be counted instead in my GPA. And thank you so much!</p>

<p>Side question: I live right between UCSB and UCSD. I have heard of some people actually going to the school they appeal and having an interview or talk with someone. Apparently it’s more personal, rather than just another pile of papers. I don’t know if this is an option, or if I heard wrong.</p>

18

<p>@lilyblonde</p>

<p>I’m sure you’ll do just fine and will transfer to a UC of your choice, either this year or next. :)</p>

19

<p>i apologize if that has already been mentioned but i wanted to point something out. Due to CA state law, if you fail a class you can retake that class and have that prior failure be stricken from your records. I would encourage you to do that while you prepare for next year. Additionally consider appealing to the school you wish to attend above all else. A situation like your will be considered by the appeals board and in that light they will reevaluate your admission package. Whole point of appeals process is to bring to light things they would not know.</p>

20

<p>@lilyblonde
it is pretty irrational to believe that everything that is causing you stress will disappear after you transfer. in fact, it is likely that it (the stress) will increase. melodramatic swings from all is good to all is bad is unstable. you really need to take some time for yourself and get to the root of what is giving you such an extreme view on life. because if you transfer and then crash and burn at your new school, it will be a lot harder to recover. just take the summer off, stay far far away from volatile friendships, and go see a health professional. everyone on this board is in the same situation as you are (generally speaking) and no one is suicidal about it. you need to gain some perspective. good luck.</p>