I currently hold a sophomore-standing at Cal Poly Pomona for a Business Administration Major with emphasis on Accounting. My freshman year went well (3.94 GPA) and enjoyed my accounting classes. However, I realized I want something more than a commuter college experience. I have met some cool people, but I desire to go to a UC. CPP was the right fit for me out of high school (wasn’t ready to leave home due to personal reasons) and wanted to start at a 4-year University instead of a CC. I have heard that transferring from a CSU to a UC is very difficult, so I wonder if my chances aren’t that good either. I currently have an internship/job position as an Accounting clerk with account payables and other extra curricular’s. If I ride out my second year at CPP with my EC’s and maintain at least a 3.8 GPA, would I have a chance at UCLA, UCSB, or UCI for Business? The classes I took my freshman year were all articulated to CC’s so most likely they transfer to a UC. The classes also met the pre-req for most UC Business schools, such as Macro/Microeconomics, Stats, Calculus (through AP Calculus credit), and Financial/Managerial Accounting. have also looked into going to my local CC (Mt. Sac) but my parents are highly discouraging it because I am a first generation college student and leaving a 4-year University doesn’t sound smart to them. Any help and advice would be appreciated.
You seem well-positioned, assuming you have most of the GE courses done. You can always apply and see what happens. Cal Poly Pomona is a great school, but there’s no harm in throwing some fishing lines out. No harm, no foul.
I believe you stand a good chance with those schools, especially SB and UCI. I’m glad you left out Haas because I’m not sure that would be so doable.
I transferred from a CSU to a UC and I think the difficulty is way overblown, save for transferring to UCLA/UCB and some majors UCSD. Those are going to be difficult but not hopeless. Your profile is solid.
Prereqs. Prereqs. Prereqs. Make sure ALL are complete before you apply, for every school if possible. That’s the thing that matters most. Then, having GE done helps too. Obviously GPA will be most important but essays and ECs matter too. Really it’s not much different than transferring from a CCC the bar is just slightly higher.
People transfer all the time to UCLA from CSU - and even to UCB. The issue could be UCLA’s Biz Econ major, as it’s highly selective. And Haas School of Business tends to be very CCC-focused, so if OP decides on Berkeley, he/she should consider Econ. Just my two cents.
@OhWhatsHerName Yeah I have heard quite a number of personal anecdotes that people got into UC’s from CSU’s. Thanks for the advice, will make sure to cover prerequisites for my top choices!
@Ohm888 Thank you, hopefully I can maintain my current GPA and hopefully do have a good chance at UCSB (top choice) and UCI. I will look into an Economics major as a secondary and look into prerequisites needed. Thank you for the help!
Obviously, I have no idea what admissions will say but I think you stand a very good shot. Since you want business, if you can add some leadership or finance activities (clubs, etc), that always helps.
If cost is not a big factor, you might consider USC’s Marshall business school, a top 10 undergraduate business school. UCB Haas, a top 5 undergraduate business school, generally takes CCC transfers and their own (from UCB). Priority of transfers to UC = CCC > UC > CSU’s. Your CPP is high and if cost is not an issue, you have a good chance for USC. For UCLA, because the bus. econ. is competitive and priority given first to CCC transfers and UC next, it might be more difficult. Same for UCSB because of the econ. acctg., UCSB is a targeted school by the Big 4 Accounting/Consulting firms for the econ. accounting. UCSB’s econ. acctg. is very competitive. Of the mentioned UC’s, UCI should be easier. Since you seem to be interested in So. Cal. schools, you might want to consider UCR which has a good business school.
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
That will give you a feel for the GPA for tranfers by UC and Major.
Biz is crazy competitive but, as long as you have met the pre-reqs you should be in good shape for the mid tier UCs. UCI and UCR have very good programs and would probably be thrilled to have you That said, when you get there as a transfer, most people will already have a group - it can be hard to break into social circles and leadership roles in clubs and internships are hard to come by - your competition has a 2 year track record at the school when you show up. I’d encourage you to dig into CPP and have the best experience they offer. Be a club or frat officer and, lock down an internship next year. Apply to whichever UC you like and see how it plays out. That experience will make you a stronger applicant to the UCs - but also for jobs post grad. If you get into LA or B and want to go - cool - the option is there… if not, you’ll have some momentum at CPP. That’s a no-loose situation.
Good luck.