Chance me for Berkeley? Please and thank you.

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Hi, I am a 21 year old male attending a Texas CC. Intended Major is Philosophy with English minor, with the ultimate goal of attending a top twenty law school.

BACKGROUND:

If you feel it would be helpful, please feel free to read my story on my profile page. Briefly put, I was homeless periodically since age 12 until 18. From about 18-20, I worked in the oilfield while dealing with my dad’s medical issues. At 20, just before my 21st birthday, I finally broke into the world of academics by earning my GED with Honors distinction.

ACT:

32 (will retake)

GPA:

4.0

LOR:

One letter by my HS counselor who knew me back when I slept in a van. Naturally, it is an emotionally charged letter with his full backing.

EC’s and awards:

Honors College member

Honors College Scholarship winner

Stayton Scholarship for Writing winner (published author in poetry and non-fiction)

Peer tutor for English/Composition and Rhetoric

Coauthor for my professor’s PhD dissertation,

***(part of my professor’s dissertation deals with critiquing the English abilities of immigrants, therefore, I am not a research collaborator, as I understand it, but a legitimate coauthor. This seems most obvious in that I have produced the entirety of chapter four of his book, which he proceeds to comment on in chapter 5, and which will soon be published at a major U.)

Phi Theta Kappa member

Editor-in-chief of newspaper that spans the college system that I attend, (8 campuses in a major city)

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Chances are appreciated, but also advice of any sort. Have a blessed Sunday!

2

Please ignore the typos xD
Multitaskin’ over here.

3

If you are in state, I’d say you have a great chance, but Berkeley likes to see higher test scores for OOS applicants. By no means is a 32 bad! Plus, your GPA is great. I think you have a decent chance; however, I have no idea what admissions for CC students is like.

4

Rejected

5

On what basis, Seniorladd?

6

So you are a transfer applicant since you are attending a CC?

7

Thanks ap012199, I plan on retaking the ACT shortly before attempting to transfer. I did a poor job studying for the ACT the first time around. My math was very low and brought down my composite, but everything else was 34-36(36 writing). I have taken a math class to refresh, and plan to bump it up to a 35 or so.

I appreciate the advice.

8

Yes gumbymom, I would be transferring in as a sophomore.

9

UC transfer requirements:
60 semester/90 quarter units (Junior standing)

HS LOR’s and test scores are not considered only College GPA, EC’s and personal insight questions.

Your GPA is excellent but have you checked to make sure that all your courses are UC transferable?

http://admissions.berkeley.edu/transferrequirements

UC transfer requirements

As a junior-level transfer applicant, you must meet the following requirements. Some of your major preparation and general education coursework will count toward these requirements.

  1. Complete the following 7-course pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment at UC:

Two transferable courses in English composition;
One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning;
Four transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas:
arts and humanities
social and behavioral sciences
physical and biological sciences
For example:

3 chemistry courses and 1 history course
2 sociology courses, 1 physics course, and 1 art history course
1 biology course and 3 literature courses

Keep in mind:

Each course must be worth at least 3 semester units (or 4-5 quarter units) and be UC-transferable. Check ASSIST to see what courses from your community college are transferable
You need to earn a grade of C or better in each course or a Pass (P) grade if pass is equivalent to a C (2.00)
AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 may also be used in appropriate subject areas (exception: only one of the two English courses required can be satisfied by an AP exam score)
All campuses recommend that you complete math and English as early as possible (some highly recommend completing them by the end of the fall term, one year prior to enrolling at UC)
If you’ve completed IGETC or campus-specific general education requirements, you may have already satisfied the 7-course pattern
2. Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC-transferable credit. No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units of the 60 semester (90 quarter) units may be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.

  1. Earn at least a 2.4 GPA in UC-transferable courses (2.8 if you're a nonresident). Some majors require a higher GPA for admission selection.

Taking the following courses will prepare you for philosophy at any UC campus that offers the major.

Expected coursework

Introduction to symbolic logic
Ancient philosophy
Modern philosophy
Ethical theory
Philosophy of mind or epistemology
Use ASSIST to find the specific classes offered at your community college that will satisfy the expected coursework. In addition to the specific coursework above, you will need to fulfill minimum requirements expected of all transfer applicants to UC.

10

No, I have not checked that yet. Are the requirements that I have exactly 60 semester hours? Can I have less? I may be mistaken but I’ve heard stories (possibly untrue) about CC kids transferring with one or two semesters, as I planned to also do.

11

Thanks for the info.

12

I just read the link…

13

Also, I did not see your full message. Sorry, I’m reading it now.

14

Yes, the minimum is 60 semester units and they all need to be UC transferable and completed by Spring prior to transfer.

15

I see, but this says Junior level transfers applicants. What about a two-semester freshmen trying to transfer into sophomore year?

16

I won’t be able to use ASSIST since I am in Texas. I’ll need to call Berkeley directly. Thank you for the information gumbymom.

17

UC’s in general do not accept Sophomore level transfers. Only a few campuses will accept Lower Division transfers and that is on a case by case basis.
UCB does not accept Sophomore level transfers period.

In general, you are already at a disadvantage due to being OOS. Priority is given to Junior level transfers from California CC’s followed by UC to UC transfers, CSU to UC transfers, CA private University transfers and then OOS transfers.

If UCB is your goal, then stay another year at your CC and meet the Junior level transfer requirements.

18

Sure thing gumbymom, that seems like a good plan. Thanks again.