I am currently a CCC student at De Anza with an intended major of Economics. My current transfer GPA is 3.75, however i am only on my 3rd semester. With that said I am projecting a transfer GPA of around 3.8+ minimum. I met with some councilors at my school… and to put it in a nutshell, they were useless. I was wondering what my chances were of getting into schools like UCB, SCU, UCLA, UPenn, or NYU. I am currently actively pursuing Berkeley, and have been stressing about it countlessly for the past few weeks, even though my application would not be due until 9 months from now. I suppose it is never to early to start planning.
Classes i’ve took
Philosophy 17 _ A
Humanities 1 _ A
English 1 _ A-
Economics 1 _ B+
Current Classes + projections
English 2 _ B+/A-
Political Science _ A/A+
Economics 2 _ A/A+
I also took ib and scored a 5 in history, which accounts for 8 credits. I am currently at 30 + 8 credits.
I calculate I will have anywhere between 88-92 credits upon November 2016 (fall 16)
My current/planned extra curricular are extra curricula’s are;
Working w/ the renters rights campaign in Silicon Valley
Teachers assistant for my Political Science class
Econ club/ president (planned)
Soup kitchen volunteer
PTK honors member
Part time work/Full time student
Honors Program (soon)
Would that be enough in regards to extra curricular? If not what else would be a good idea? Should I commit to more or less? Also am I being realistic? Is UCB obtainable, given I have solid letters/personal essays?
Looks pretty good, google TAP for UC Berkeley, theyll pay for you to take a class at UCB this summer, if you do well this will only boost your chances plus give you a feel for the classes. For Upenn look into the Liberal and Professional Studies program, its geared more for non traditional students and you can apply without using the common app or SAT’s.
I would try to do student government next fall, maybe even some tutoring if you can handle the load.
Do you have the Calculus series planned / completed?
Calculus I & II are required at Berkeley and given the major’s capped status means they won’t even consider you if you are missing either. Ideally, you want to have both completed at the time of admission review (i.e. by the end of Fall) for the best odds.
Additionally, Berkeley Econ applicants are only conditionally admitted and a lot of people struggle with the math in the other required courses (Intermediate Stats & Intermediate Economic Theory) which leads to a lot of people getting denied from the major despite getting accepted to the school. It’s highly recommended to learn / take differential equations prior to transferring to increase your chances at getting into the major.
Thanks for the replies!
@MikeSauce
Sounds great, I will take your advice into consideration. I am considering doing tutoring or student government. One or the other sounds good to add. I will fill in the TAP for UCB, but I may need to stay at my CCC as I need to progress in my math classes and gather enough units upon filling my application.
@SDGoldenBear
I am currently in Math 114. Next in my school sequence goes 41,42,43 - pre calc, then 1A,1B,1C, 1D - Calculus. 2A is differential equations, and 2B is Linear Algebra. Upon applying in November, I will be completing 43.
According to Assist.org, UCB economic’s math articulate for 1A&1B are 1A/1B/1C. It mentions an OR which confuses me. It says I can take 16A and 16B at UCB, and those articulate as 1A/1B at my school. For economics, that would mean I am required to take Econ 1/2 + Math 1A/1B or Econ 1/2 + Math 1A/1B/1C? You mentioned that I would need to complete calc 1 and 2. Calc 2 isn’t required according to Assist.org from my school agreement to UCB. It may very well be required at UCB, but that I do not know.
Given that I will not complete all my math courses, would that play a factor? I thought I would apply at 43 during fall, then complete 1A and 1B the following quarters leading up to my transfer. Would that play a factor in my application? Could I even apply seeing that I am projected to be in 43 come this fall? This means that my math will not have been completed upon filling my application, but I am planning to do so by then.
By cap majoring, I assume you mean upon transfer to UCB, applying for the L&S program, correct? I am currently studying the math for my next quarter, and assuming that this progress, I may very well learn differential equations.
The calculus series is traditionally separated into three parts: Calc I - differentiation, Calc II - integration, and Calc III - applications with multiple variables. As noted by Assist.org, DeAnza’s 1A and part of 1B cover differentiation (Calc I) while the other portion of 1B and 1C cover integration (Calc II).
If I understand correctly, you are applying to transfer in Fall 2017 with the following schedule?
Winter 2016 - Math 114
Spring 2016 - Math 41
Summer 2016 - Math 42
Fall 2016 - Math 43
Winter 2017 - Math 1A
Spring 2017 - Math 1B
Summer 2017 - Math 1C
For Berkeley, this schedule will allow you to be considered for the school, however it will be a very long shot as they will ultimately evaluate your application as not meeting the prerequisites for the major. (Since you will not meet the requirements at the completion of the Spring academic period.) Additionally, not having a grade for either calculus course will further negatively impact your chances at admission for Fall 2017.
I suggest retooling and applying for Fall 2018 when you will be considered to have the prerequisites completed. Otherwise, consider taking an Intro to Stats course (Math 10) prior to Winter 2016 to alleviate a lack of a grade in either calculus course at the time of your admissions review.