Completed work at a Community College, WHAT NEXT???

Transfer Students
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<p>Hi, I'm AJ. I've been going to a local community college for the past two years. I'm ready to transfer. But how, when?? I don't want to miss anything - I want to do everything I'm supposed to do when I'm supposed to do it. I'm not even sure who to apply to. That is why I'm here :D. I'm hoping you guys can look me over, tell me where I have a reasonable chance of acceptance, and then hopefully point me in the right direction as far as applications goes.</p>

<p>My 'Resume':
College Cumulative GPA: 3.48
College total completed credits: 70.00</p>

<p>College UC Transferable GPA: 3.74
College total UC Completed credits: 48.0</p>

<p>IGETC is completely filled out except for one thing: Math section. I need to take PreCalculus and then Calculus. </p>

<p>My major is, for now, English. I've gone as far as English 101, then 102, then Brit Lit 250.</p>

<p>I'm Treasurer for the Gamma Beta Phi honors society</p>

<p>I'm a Photographer for my school's newspaper (x2 semesters)
Won several photography awards.</p>

<p>I'm a working Emergency Medical Technician (shows leadership, I'll see if the colleges like this)</p>

<p>Sports - nothing in College, but I was two years Varsity in Track and Field in High School, I don't know if this helps. </p>

<p>SAT: Verbal 710
Math 610
I know SAT is weak, but I could re-take it before I have to apply. I have time to study as well. </p>

<p>OK, I have listed the information that I believe colleges will consider to be most important. </p>

<p>I have a few questions. </p>

<p>First of all, is a UC my best option?</p>

<p>I know I need 60 credits to transfer to a UC, but can't I still apply in the upcoming Fall semester, and receive a conditional acceptance (conditional on my completing 60 credits + math?)</p>

<p>Is it absolutely mandatory to have my English major prep work completed? Before or after I apply? </p>

<p>Is there a chance I can be accepted anywhere else but a UC? I would love to go to school outside of California, but I don't really know how that works. </p>

<p>I have a list of colleges that I would love to go to, and I know I am embarrassing myself by asking about some of these (as I probably don't have a chance) but I need to ask. If I don't, I'll just keep wondering. </p>

<p>Prospective colleges: UCLA, USC, Berkeley, Cornell, Stanford, Cambridge, West Point</p>

<p>I know West Point is a weird addition, but I'm still toying with that. I received a congressional nomination to go to West Point last year, but I decided I didn't want to go (plus I had sustained an injury - not a good thing going into a very physical school). What are my chances at the rest of these colleges?</p>

<p>Thanks for your time, I really appreciate any help you can give me. </p>

<p>-AJ</p>

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<p>UCLA, USC, Berkeley, Cornell, Stanford, Cambridge, West Point</p>

<p>I think you’re in UCLA and USC. Excellent shot for Berkeley.</p>

<p>Cornell, Stanford, and Cambridge are reaches.</p>

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<p>Hey guys, sorry, but I’ve gotta bump this - </p>

<p>I really need some help here, not sure where to steer my ship lol</p>

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<p>You said you have 70 credits, so I’m not sure why you are worrying about the minimum credits? In the UC system they cap how many total credits you are allowed to earn and it includes all credits transferred in from all colleges. So you need to look at what you have and what you need for a degree and be careful that you don’t take too many classes and end up not being able to complete your degree before hitting the cap.</p>

<p>With English I’m not sure how important the school is. I think your grades and work experience, regardless of where you are, will make the most difference in terms of long-term career goals.</p>

<p>I think Stanford is a very high reach for you. Berkeley and Cornell are also reaches. UCLA and USC are barely matches. You should definitely add a couple of safety schools and closer matches.</p>

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<p>You’ll need at least 60 UC transferable units AFTER you’re done with your final semester to transfer. This means if you’re going to school this fall, you’ll need to complete a total of at least 12 units by the end of spring. Most UCs cap you at 90 units but if you’re only at 48 transferable UC units, it doesn’t matter if you have a total of 70 units because the remaining 22 won’t transfer anyways. </p>

<p>I think the privates are a bit of a reach but I think you have a good shot at the UCs and USC. </p>

<p>I would highly recommend you complete all the pre requisites for English before you transfer. I know for impacted majors, which I don’t believe English is, you need to have them done or you’re automatically disqualified. </p>

<p>If you don’t know your pre reqs, you can find them at [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) . Select your campus and then the campus you would like to transfer to.</p>

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<p>“ThatPoshGirl” </p>

<p>First, I said I have 70 OVERALL credits. Emergency Med Tech class alone added 7.5 non-UC transferable credits, as well as a variety of photography classes.</p>

<p>I don’t believe Berkeley is a reach for me at all. Remember, Berkely is a UC - and my UC transferable GPA is 3.74, a GPA higher than others’ on this forum who report being accepted by Berkely. And it’s not like I’m betting on my grades alone. I also have fairly good extracurriculars. </p>

<p>Thank you for your opinion, and I do agree with you as far as Stanford being a High reach. I would like to hear more detail on your views on Cornell, however - why reach? </p>

<p>Why would UCLS and USC be 'barely matches?" I would have thought those two were my safeties??</p>

<p>“Whatasunnyday”
Right, thanks for clarifying that. I expect I’ll hope to obtain a ‘conditional acceptance’ after I apply in the fall? Conditional on the successful completion of 12 credits?</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice on the schools, I hope I’m a match for the UC’s. Why am I not a good match for the privates?? Is it because of their extremely low acceptance rate of transfers?? (I’ve heard some only accept 15 transfer students A YEAR!). I also heard, however, that Cornell accepted the most of any private. Thoughts on that?</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice :D!</p>

<p>Please state WHY you think a reach is a reach…</p>

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<p>It is going to depend on your major. UCLA has detailed “ave GPA” lists of each major for transfer… 3.7 is competitive for some majors, middle the road for others. I have a friend with about a 3.7-8 GPA and he was accepted at UCSD and UCD but turned down at Cal and UCLA. </p>

<p>There is a record number of people trying to apply to the UCs (and CSUs) and a shrinking number of available spots… next year could get worse if the California budget does another nosedive. UCs are reaches for EVERYONE now… so plant some safeties in there. No explanation beyond that is needed!</p>

<p>What should you count as a true safety in this climate? At least 3 CSUs, including the one closest to you geographically in case they start doing what they are doing with the freshman applicants for CSUs, which is to cattle-round them up and primarily/only offer admission on a local basis.</p>

<p>Annika</p>

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<p>solidblu- You consider UCLA and USC safety schools? You are nuts…</p>

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<p>“WaitingonSC”</p>

<p>‘you are nuts’ hahahaha lmao
I’m not sure what the exact definition of a ‘safety school’ is, but, in surveying the college landscape, I feel like I’m pretty sure I can get into one or both of those (UCLA +USC). I meant that, I think of UCLA as the place I’ll probably end up going, but now what do you think of Cornell? lol As in, ‘I’ll probably get into UCLA, but what are my other options.’</p>

<p>“Annika Sorrensen”</p>

<p>Your name is very familiar, do you live in CA? Thank you for your advice
Anyway, I see what you mean about the UCs and ‘safe zones.’ I’m really, REALLY kicking myself right now. I took a Polisci class, and thought I had an A the entire semester, until the end, when I found I really had a C. I couldn’t believe it. Dropped my 3.91 right down to a 3.74. </p>

<p>I DO NOT want to go to a CSU. But, I guess I should apply to them, like you are suggesting. I don’t want to end up going to a CC for the fourth consecutive year, would not be cool. I really hope I don’t have to resort to that. As far as I’m concerned, I AM going to AT LEAST UCLA or Berkeley. Is Berkely considered on the same level as UCLA? I believe it is higher?</p>

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<p>I’m not familiar with Cornell’s acceptance percentages. But I know they are the most transfer friendly Ivy League school. You should definitely look into Cornell. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Ah, sorry solidblu, I misunderstood. Yes, a 3.74 is competitive anywhere. You should apply to some middle to lower tier 1 private schools. If you want to stay in CA consider Occidental. They meet 100% of need, and have a lot of merit award for transfers. They waitlisted me with a 3.69 and no where near your ECs, so I think you have an excellent shot there. I got into University of the Pacific with quite a bit of scholarship and grant monies even though I actually missed their priority deadline. So if you apply on time and have your FAFSA in early you could probably get a very nice award from them.</p>

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<p>The only reason I think Ivy Leagues are a reach is because of the few number of transfers they accept as well as the competitive base on those transfers (a lot of 4.0’s for non science/math I imagine…). However, if you’re convinced you can sell yourself as a strong candidate, I recommend apply to every school you think you can handle. I don’t think anyone has mentioned it so far but have you considered any top LACs? Do some research on the schools and see which is a best fit for you both academically (ranking, curriculum, professors) and socially (area, number of students per campus/class).</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE=ThatPoshGirl]

You should apply to some middle to lower tier 1 private schools.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What are the tiers you’re using? USNews tiers? In that case you’re suggesting Arizona State and other schools ranked 50-100?</p>

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<p>Some advice, if you guys don’t mind:</p>

<p>I took my Polisci class, and got a C in it. It lowered my 3.9 to a 3.74. Is there ANY WAY I can re-take this class?? I’ve asked my school, they claim I can re-take it only if I had gotten a D or an F, which is ridiculous. One person suggested taking it online at another community college, and then showing my current college the transcript, where they would cover my old C with the new A. What do you guys think??? I mean seriously, one freakin class bringing me down a WHOLE SECTION! You guys are talking about the difference between the 3.7-3.8 people, and the 3.9-4.0 people as if they were a completely different world, as if that .1 would make all the difference. That’s pretty discouraging…I was so close. Had to mess up on that polisci class during winter intercession…DAngit. </p>

<p>If I had a 3.9 again would you recommend I go for Stanford, etc?? What is the cut-off?? I’m pretty certain I could sell myself on everything else well, West Point seemed to like me alot (though they are more apt to appreciate things like varsity track and field and Emergency med. tech…and treasurer, and school newspaper photog). West Point is more of a physical environment, where they seem to value the whole picture, not just grades/sats.</p>

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<p>Stanford accepts about 1.5% of transfers… about 20 per year. And MOST of them have a really unique or quirky hook… such as finish 4 years in the Marines, or a 50 year old mom who finished CCs part-time over 11 years, or is from the Phillipines (may have that origin wrong) and is a male cheerleader, etc. I’ve talked to several Stanford transfers over the past few years in person and observed the Stanford transfers that post on this board and pretty much all of them were very unique/well rounded. Yes, I think most of them had the 3.9-4.0 but I don’t think all of them did… but if they had a 3.7, I’m guessing their hook was compelling enough to have them overlook the 3.7.</p>

<p>Santa Clara University is probably a match for your 3.7 as well, though as a private LAC would be expensive.</p>

<p>The reality is that in a year, you will have moved on in your education to a new college and that C in PolitSci just won’t matter anymore. A ding that will fade with time. All but the most elite colleges will ignore that C, and quite a few of the elites won’t care too much, either. Except Stanford–though the issue there is not that C but whether or not you have a hook that convinces them to say “We GOT TO HAVE this person.” </p>

<p>BTW, my name probably sounds familiar because it is very close in spelling to the famous golfing star, Annika Sorrenstam. She’s Swedish (Sorenstam), my last name is Danish (Sorrensen).</p>

<p>Annika</p>

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<p>Whether or not you can retake your poli sci class depends on your school’s policy. At my cc you can retake any class and have your grade replaced (but the old grade is still listed on your transcript, but not calculated into the GPA). You could retake a class you got an A- in if you wanted. I don’t think it is that way at most places. I think the only reason it is that way here is because the nursing program is so competitive and has stats based admissions instead of a waiting list. So, anyway, call someone in admissions and records and ask them. (If you can retake it the old grade will still probably appear on your transcript.)</p>

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<p>Ok, so I’ll rule out those schools that have ridiculously low transfer percentages. What should my list look like at this point? </p>

<p>And don’t you think that it would be worth it to re-take that class?? I would HAVE to re-take it by this summer, however, am I correct? to have it done in time for the schools to see it when I apply in the fall?? </p>

<p>What GPA do they look at - the one you have when you apply, or the one you have when you’re finished with spring that year…it must be the one you have when you apply. </p>

<p>You are talking about the 3.7 people like they’re a different animal…something different from the 3.9 people, I’d say its pretty damn important that I re-take that PoliSci class! </p>

<p>I just sent off an email to a PCC teacher, asking if i can enroll in her polisci class that starts this week. </p>

<p>Ok, so I"m clear, how much of a difference is there between the people that have a 3.9 and the people that have a 3.74?? Will it make the difference at Berkeley? </p>

<p>Berkeley says this on their Assist.org page: “- To be a competitive applicant to the major, it is strongly recommended that
transfer students complete prerequisite courses with a minimum
grade-point-average of 3.20.”</p>

<p>That’s pretty low, I’ve beaten that by alot. How competitive do I have to be to be a psych transfer to Berkeley?</p>

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<p>Very few colleges let you retake a C… so let’s toss that off the table for now until you hear otherwise from your college.</p>

<p>For Berkeley, I would recommend a 3.3 minimum, 3.4 is squeaking it… 3.7 is probably enough for almost all majors except the most competitive ones like their school of business and computer science through their EE school.</p>

<p>The reality is that you can have a 3.9 and get rejected from Berkeley - I know someone who got rejected with a 3.9. Some of this is just semi-random… they have more applicants than spots and there is some wiggle in how they seem to assign spots.</p>

<p>I know psych is competitive at quite a few UCs, so you should find someone who knows about that program specifically or see if you can find online stats about it.</p>

<p>Annika</p>

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<p>My friend was rejected from Berkeley’s History program with a 3.8 and TAP. </p>

<p>And I think that solidblu is mistaking his ‘safeties’ for his ‘matches’. USC/UCLA should be ‘matches’, though that term should be used loosely even at this point, as we don’t know what the applicant pool will be like in any given year, although 3.7 seems to be the magic number. Safeties for you are more like UCSB, UCI, UCD, etc.</p>

<p>As far as out-of-state schools, there are 49 states that are not California, each with hundreds of schools. Narrow it down, lol.</p>

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<p>Lol ok Thanks Anna, but I’m on my way down to Pasadena City college right now to see about that C…</p>

<p>Anyway, I hope that I am competitive enough. It is certainly scary hearing about people with higher GPA’s than me being rejected, but maybe they weren’t well rounded?? I hope I will be considered a well rounded candidate. </p>

<p>hahaha Grey, I agree, those are probably ‘matches.’ I really woulnd’t mind going to UCSB either though lol</p>

<p>And I grouped “out of state” into one category because I’ve always been led to believe (by my parents) that anything that isn’t withing your own state is ridiculously more expensive. </p>

<p>If I had to choose (and I will because i want advice) I’d say either Hawaii, Texas, or New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania.</p>