I just graduated high school, but couldn’t apply to colleges due to financial problems and family issues at home. I’ve always wanted to go to Berkeley since it is so close to home and its always been my dream. Would you say its harder to get in as a transfer student? and are high school grades still checked? I’ve been really sad thinking my chances of going there are done, since i worked so hard in high school for nothing.
Hello prospective transfer student! 
My counselors have told me that it is easier to get admitted into UCB – but not by very much: it depends on the department and major, though the overall acceptance rate is about 20 percent. In 2016, Haas Business School was as low as 6%, but other majors were as high as 47% to 75%.
See this link for more: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
Either way, be as competitive as possible.
I know manyyyy people who were admitted to UCB as transfers this year. They all had competitive GPAs (above a 3.6) and amazing ECs, and took honors courses and completed their prerequisites. They were incredibly hardworking, driven, stubborn and creative.
As stated by the UCB representative I meet regularly with, the admission officers do not check high school grades or ECs. They do not care what you did before community college – unless it’s something you still do.
A lot of people were in the same boat as you, and they made it. Don’t give up. Good luck!
The UC’s are very committed to the CC transfer student. Don’t ever think that your HS efforts were wasted. Hopefully, you built some really good study skills that will carry you through CC and into and through Cal.