Chance at UC Berkeley (Unusual Circumstances)

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hi! I'm trying to transfer to UC Berkeley... I've had a strange life so far... Basically I used to go to a 4 year institute in the east coast for a year until my father told me to take a year off. I started working during my 2nd semester of my 1st year which brought my grades down. During my year off I did some research work and continued working. Then after waiting a year, I withdrew because I realized my father was having an affair and was never going to pay. He never had to intention of sending me back after a year off. So then I went to a CC and did well. 4.0 GPA while mainly working... I finished all my GE and major requirements.</p>

<p>My grades were as such...</p>

<p>Year 1 (Private University)
[Semester 1]
English 1 - B+
Gen. Chem 1 - A-
Archaeology - B+
Multivariable Calculus - B+</p>

<p>[Semester 2]
English 2 - C+
Gen. Chem 2 - B+
Graduate Level Linear Algebra - C+
Differential Questions - B-
Gen. Biology - C+</p>

<p>[Year off...]</p>

<p>Year 3 (CC)
[Summer Semester]
Chinese 1 - A
Music Appreciation - A</p>

<p>[Fall Semester]
Physics 21 (Mechanics) - A
Physics 22 (E&M) - A
Biology 22 (Genetics) - A
Chinese 2 - A</p>

<p>[Winter Semester]
Biology 21 (Cell Energetics and Macromolecules) - A
Organic Chemistry 1 (With Lab) - A</p>

<p>[Spring Semester]
Biology 23 (Taxomony and Animals) - A
Organic Chemistry 2 (Without Lab) - A
Physics 23 (Wave, Optics) - A</p>

<p>[Summer Semester]
English 2 - A
Organic Chemistry 2 Lab - A</p>

<p><a href="Currently%20Taking">Fall Semester</a>
Biochemistry
Chinese 3
Physics 24 (Special Relativity)</p>

<p>Notes: I finished most of my IGETC through AP scores. I also decided to take physics over even though I had AP scores because apparently they don't like it when people skip physics. The biology course that I got a C+ in at my private university covered the same material as Biology 21 and 22, but the UC representative couldn't give me a good answer if it would transfer well so I just retook it. Also, the English 2 that I took at my 4 year institute was not equivalent to the English 2 required for the IGETC, so I retook it. Also, note that I took some courses in the wrong order. I got leeway for how I took my course because I explained to my CC that I already had AP scores and took some of them before.</p>

<p>I feel like my first year at the private university in the east coast will ruin my chances.. My grades were horrendous, especially during my second semester where I started working...</p>

<p>I also forgot to mention that I am a AB540 student.. My parents brought me to the US when I was only 2 months old and forgot to renew our visa... Luckily under California law, I am still considered a California resident. They'll grant me instate tuition but no financial aid... However, instate tuition at California greatly helps me as opposed to the ~$50,000 that I had to pay as an undocumented immigrant student attending school in the east coast..</p>

<p>My mother is a single parent now supporting 4 kids... Very low income. I'm Asian-American.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>if you include your story of hardship in your personal essay i’m sure you’ll have a great shot of getting in. universities will look at your second semester, and when you explain what happened, they’ll look at your other semesters, see that you matured, and you’ll probably get accepted.</p>

3

<p>It would greatly help if you told us what your major was. Berkeley is an especially hard place to get into, and from your courses it is hard to tell what you’re majoring in (some science or math it appears to me). If you’re trying to get into the College of Engineering it will be extremely difficult, because they are more “academically focused” and don’t weigh the personal statement so strongly. On the other hand the College of Letters and Science is far more flexible in considering the PS for extenuating circumstances.</p>

4

<p>Ah! Sorry. Over at my 4 year institution, I was originally majoring in Pure Mathematics and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.</p>

<p>Now that I have to transfer, I decided to focus more on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Berkeley’s BMB major is categorized under Molecular Biology (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology track). It’s in the College of Letters and Science!</p>

<p>Sorry for the confusion. Math is something that I just love doing, so previously I had decided to major in that in conjunction with my biochemical interests. Unfortunately, I didn’t really see myself truly getting far in pure mathematics aside from using it as brain and soul food, so I decided to take the path into biochemistry and molecular biology. It’s a shame my mathematics grades weren’t good due to working under the table jobs in the student ghetto near my private university…</p>

<p>I was given the choice to take conceptual physics as opposed to calculus based physics, but I wanted to challenge myself (again my love for theory and math comes into play here), so I had decided to take calculus-based mechanics/physics/etc.</p>

5

<p>You have a solid chance. Just make sure to explain your hardships and various other ordeals in your personal statements. Your grade trend is great.</p>

6

<p>emils!!
haven’t seen you here in a long time, how’s berkeley treating you?? no regrets? everything good?</p>

7

<p>@ HigherHopes: Hey man! Well, I’m a spring admit, so I don’t feel the full effect as of now lol. However, I’ve taken a few classes over summer and am taking Buddhist Psych now through UCB Extension, so all-in-all it’s been good! </p>

<p>For now, though, I’m only taking 1 UCB class along with 2 CCC classes and working a job in SF. It’s hectic, but at least I’m edging my way in :). Of course, I would have preferred to be a fall admit, but the time away from a full school semester has been nice so far! </p>

<p>I’m still unsure as to whether or not I should have gone to UCLA right away…esp since my gf now goes there lol, but hopefully I made the right decision. I’ll keep you guys posted with my experiences throughout the school year though!</p>

<p>How’s everything been for you?</p>

8

<p>things have been pretty good. i’ve had a free summer…quit my job (ames research center), then traveled through europe for a month and a half. moving to LA next week! then starting at UCLA. things look good so far!.. and i’m still wondering if i should have chosen berkeley instead, haha. time will tell.</p>