Chances for top UC schools?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

3rd Year Transfer
Major: Political Science
GPA: 3.91
Applying to: UCB, UCSD, UCD, UCR
ECs: Relatively nonexistent after high school
Honors/Awards: President’s List, Dean’s List, Phi Theta Kappa
AP Lit score of 5 in high school
No work experience

I’m curious what my chances are to get into these UC schools (particularly the first three) with my GPA, solid personal statements (at the risk of sounding conceited, I am particularly strong at writing) and pretty awful EC’s. I was involved in marching band in high school, and was in a leadership position for my HS percussion ensemble in my junior and senior years, but after HS I have had no club or organization involvement at my CC, and all of the extracurricular activities I do now are simply personal, at-home or online kind of stuff (instruments, chess, online debate). I consider these extracurriculars but obviously they are not impressive in an academic sense. I also have no work experience.

I appreciate all feedback.

2

Are you fulfilling all prereq’s, and completing IGETC/Breadth?

If the answer to those is yes, then I think you’ll get in to most/all of the schools. ECs aren’t too significant in general, just make sure to do well in the personal statement, and keep your GPA high through the Fall.

3

@goldencub Yes to both, I should have put that in my original post. Thank you for the input.

4

I should mention this (I mention this a lot) - I know a PoliSci major that got into Berkeley with a 3.5 and little to no ECs, and another that got in with a 3.76. Maintain your GPA and you should be fine.

5

Average admitted GPA for transfers to Berkeley is 3.77, according to the information they release. Political science is in the social sciences division, which has a lower admit rate, and hence, probably a higher admitted GPA. With that said, I think your GPA is competitive for Berkeley. You’ll most likely get in at the other UCs you’re applying to.

Extracurriculars aren’t as important for transfers. Just work on your personal statement and anything else that’s relevant to your admission chances. Good luck.

6

@Cayton Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

7

You are a very strong candidate for all UCs. The ‘holistic’ evaluation the top UCs use makes it impossible to know for sure. Apply to several and TAG one… At this stage of your life, choices/options are a good thing.

8

You should have no problem getting into UCSD or UCR.
I think UCD will accept you.
Cal likes ECs and they are picky about grade trends, major GPA, and what not.