Community College Transfer Chances (UCs, Pomona, etc.)

Transfer Students
1

<p>I regret that my first post has to be a chance thread, but I really, really need advice. The transfer process is somehow more confusing than I expected. I'm looking for schools that are not too high-flown and outright beyond my reach, but "good" enough--make of that what you will.</p>

<p>I'll soon be entering my third year at a California community college, and I'm done with all my IGETCs; I also have an AA, although it has been of little use. I suppose I waited one year too long. Even though I have a 4.0, I also have a few F's & a few withdrawals (all from the first year). Most people assume I'll get in any UC with a 4.0 (my major is less competitive/somewhat uncommon), but obviously, the overconfidence is premature. I have practically no ECs. I have no job. I'm an ORM. In short, I don't have a particularly compelling life story to compensate for my overall blandness. </p>

<p>I'm thinking of UCLA, Berkeley (who doesn't?), Irvine, etc. But recently (and perhaps unfortunately, and perhaps laughably) I got interested in Pomona College, so my stale high school record is back on the table. </p>

<p>So here goes:
HS GPA: 3.4 (courtesy of senioritis)
SAT I: 1990 (CR 750, Math 580, Writing 660)
SAT subject tests: Literature 660, World History 730
And although it matters little, I have one 3 and four 4's on 5 APs.
And of course, pathetically thin extracurriculars. In fact, I can only think of one that counts for anything.</p>

<p>I'll be submitting the Arts Supplement, but I don't know if it'll help much. I'll have to rely very, very heavily upon the various personal statements and recommendations.</p>

<p>Any schools (aside from the usual UCs) more realistically within my reach? School counselors have all said that my joblessness, lack of community service, club involvement, etc. are major liabilities.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, any insights on transferring to Pomona?</p>

2

<p>how do you have a 4.0 with F’s?</p>

3

<p>Retake classes.</p>

4

<p>Pomona…virtually impossible.</p>

5

<p>There are 4.0’s and 4.0’s. Those that are achieved in two years in an honors program at a community college, and those achieved over three years with withdrawals and repeated courses. Without a compelling story, Pomona College (unlike Cal State Pomona) is a waste of an application fee – they just take few transfers in any given year. Cal and UCLA are super reaches, as well.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the replies. It’s good to know how it goes, and time to be realistic. Any suggestions for more “reachable” schools? Is Irvine not too far of a reach?</p>

7

<p><em>I forgot to add that I feel embarrassed about mentioning some of the schools that I did. But apparently, that’s why I’m asking! In any case, it’s worth some application fees.</em></p>

<p>But I’m also embarrassed to admit that I can’t think of many other schools. I guess it’s not about schools I really love, but I’m adaptable. Out of necessity. Any, er, suggestions? I’m aware my stats are rather dismal, but I can’t stay at a CC forever. I mean, any longer. You might say, “Do your own research!” but I’d appreciate a thoughtful suggestion from somebody who knows more than I do. And so forth.</p>

8

<p>UCLA and Berkeley are completely within reach. Irvine is a definite.</p>

9

<p>Just FYI Pomona accepted 13 of 200+ transfer applicants in the most recent admissions cycle</p>

10

<p>“Cal and UCLA are super reaches, as well.” </p>

<p>Really? Please elaborate. I’d say he is perfectly within reach of LA and Cal.</p>

11

<p>^Read the post: “practically no EC’s…no job…ORM…lack of community service…” Add to the fact it took three years to get thru a juco, with no compelling story. (Assumes not extremely talented in art which becomes a compelling story.) Both Cal and UCLA READ the essays and look for good stories. SD is a point system, and gpa alone will not cut it. If the OP can’t get into SD, by definition, Cal and UCLA are super reaches. I agree with his/her counselor. </p>

<p>dakks: A LOT depends on your major interests. Mid-tier UCs are a good bet, but also consider Cal Poly SLO and other Cal States, and some private schools such as Pacific, Redlands, Santa Clara, & San Diego. Also, the Arizona schools.</p>

12

<p>It’s too bad about the ECs/job/extraordinary circumstances/etc. shortage, but I’ll apply to pretty much all the UCs anyway and hope to end up somewhere. And then get involved, lol. Sort of forgot about that for some good 5-6 years…</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for the input. I’ll also be looking into Santa Clara, San Jose State, and also Loyola Marymount. It just really sucks that I like Pomona so much.</p>

13

<p>bluebayo, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Sign a TAG agreement, and you’re automatically in to SD. You only need a 3.0… No one will even care if you sat on your ass. (which I have to say, come on, do something productive.)</p>

14

<p>If the withdrawls and Fs are early in his career, what makes that so much different from doing bad in high-school?</p>

15

<p>I would not worry about the " no compelling story"… that is what the personal statement is for. Im not saying make one up, however I am sure there are certain truths that you could afford to stretch a bit.</p>

<p>One thing I am fairly certain about is that, even if you retook the classes and got A’s in them, the F’s still remain on your transcript, thus giving the average of the two being a C. You do not have a 4.0, you may be closer to a 3.0 even. Lets think about the logic here, people that get C’s are not allowed to retake the class ( for the most part ) however those that get an F can, but would it really make sense to only count the new grade?</p>

<p>Regardless you may want to look into TAG agreements with the UC’s they are basically guaranteed admission into certain all the UC’s ( Except UCB UCLA and UCD) if you have above a certain GPA.</p>

<p>I understand your desire to be optimistic, but It seems a bit short sighted to not be remain realistic simultaneously. ( in the sense that you do not officially have a 4.0…)
But that does not keep you out of good school! only out of the best ones.</p>

<p>-Chowder out</p>

16

<p>@ CCillinois: That is what I’m HOPING–that schools will think I simply “recovered” late, for the most part.</p>

<p>Mmmkay, so I recalculated the GPA on my transcript (which ought to have averaged out the F–>A classes; why it doesn’t I don’t know), and it’s more like a 3.82. I happen to have a lot of other classes.</p>

<p>The Big Question is: UCs average out grades for classes that have been retaken? Is this a definite? I’ve never heard of this before, and if it’s true, it certainly changes things. Yikes.</p>

17

<p>Do a search. Some one said UCs ignore the Fs if re-taken when they calculate GPA(if I remember correctly). Some one at UC also got accepted to them with a significant Fs and Ws on there transcript. Search for that too. </p>

<p>Also search around for the rules in the transfer agreement. I know nothing about california transfer agreement. But, in illinois, there are a bunch of rules. (you must complete in 2 years is one of them for illinois transfer agrement)</p>

<p>All CCs I know about do not calculate classes twice. If you get an F and retake and get an A you will receive an A and then F drops(class is completely gone from gpa calculation but still on the transcript) of your GPA. If you get a C you will not be allowed to re-take the class. Officially at his CC, chances are he has a 4.0 and i’m sure at least some of the Universities treat his GPA the same way.</p>

18

<p>to CCillinois,</p>

<p>To say that UC’s do not count the F’s is incredably too vast a statement. The UC’s are actually segmented into smaller sections, ( such as a college of letters and science, college of art and agriculture and College of business, they each have their own standards, and there is not one central admissions comitee for all of them. However you do make a point that some schools will only take the new grade, but I know for fact that depending on your major and the school the major is in, they may actually take the average of the two.</p>