Hey guys! Quick question here. My major GPA by the fall quarter where I did the transfer academic update was a 2.88. On the UC Irvine website, for Computer Science, they simply stated: “3.0 cumulative GPA in prerequisite courses”. However, on Assist.org, they said: “Junior-level applicants who satisfactorily complete course requirements with a
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in required courses will be given preference for
admission”.
PREFERENCE for admission. Does that mean it isn’t necessarily mandatory to have a 3.0 major GPA but is simply highly recommended?
@TransferStalker I see. Well the thing is, last year I had several medical issues that led to my getting a C+ in Java, C+ in Calculus 2, and an F in Calculus 3… the other classes were GE’s in-which I got all A’s. By the FALL quarter when I submitted my transfer update, I retook Calculus 3 and got an A. So it turboboosted my overall GPA from a 3.2 to a 3.7. The issue here lies in the fact that i’m stupid and chose to do a majority of my major prerequisies the second year of college… well I know some people do that and do fine, but in my case my first year grades messed things up. This winter and spring quarter, I am taking 4 major prerequisite classes. So far I am acing them. But if you do the math, 2 C+'s and an A (it’s not an F because I retook it) add up to a 2.88 major GPA by the time I applied. My overall GPA is super strong but my illness last year really messed up my major GPA before applying (I have IGETC done this quarter by the way). If I were able to use my major courses for Winter and Spring quarters in the major GPA all would be fixed… but it seems it’s too late…
The reason why my overall GPA is relatively good is because I only got 2 C+'s in my entire community college career…the rest is all A’s! BUT it just so happened those two C+'s were major prerequisite courses that I took at a very difficult time in my life, hence the destroyed major GPA.
Strange thing is, I got into UC Santa Barbara in mathematics, which is not that easy to get into. I assume they saw my super big grade trend (F’s and C’s to straight A’s) and gave me a shot. What do you think of all this?
While your 3.70 overall GPA is in range, an admission reader reading your application may notice the lower grades in your major courses, which would be to your disadvantage, although if you have an upward trend, that may partially compensate.
@ucbalumnus Ah okay, that makes a lot of sense. I did hear that although important, major GPA has some wiggle room to it in-terms of context, reasoning for it being low, and other factors such as grade trend like you said. I did, again, have medical problems that resulted in those grades, which I mentioned in the additional comments section of the application. Also, my upward trend is only one quarter for the most part, but it is a massive one. I went from a quarter with a C+ and an F in Calculus, and 2 A’s to a quarter with All A+'s (I aced the retaken Calculus, and another programming course). Would you say that would perhaps increase my chances?
Correct me if I am wrong on anything!
Man, UCI is my dream school ever since I was a little boy. I really, really am worried
I’m talking about MAJOR GPA. My overall GPA is 3.70 so that’s good. But my major GPA is my concern.