<p>I started college at a 4-year school, and ended up with a roughly 2.5 GPA for the first year (it was an very small, very intense liberal arts college). Not good, but about average for the school's freshmen.</p>
<p>I left the college for financial reasons. I didn't get as much financial aid the second year as the first.</p>
<p>Now I'm a student at a California Community College, and I'd like to transfer to Cal.</p>
<p>I've not yet transferred any units from the original school to the CCC. Do I have to?</p>
<p>I have a 3.95 so far at the community college. A year of 2.5-level grades will seriously damage my GPA, and make it much harder to get into Cal.</p>
<p>Is it possible to just "forget" that first year?</p>
<p>The one I picked. Like I say, I’ve gotten almost all "A"s at a CCC (and I make a point to <em>not</em> pick the easy professors), but got a 2.5 at the school. They just grade harder.</p>
<p>Now, I know that UCs have a maximum number of credits they will accept for transfer. Can I take classes in excess of that number at community college in order to boost my GPA? </p>
<p>It would be kind of unfair if I were limited to 86 semester units from a community college, but I <em>had</em> to include the 30 credits from another school (for GPA purposes, that is).</p>
<p>Agreed with hmom5. There is no way to “forget” that first year of college. The UC application (along with other university applications) clearly states that you must provide all transcripts from institutions you have attended for transfer admissions. You can’t just forget that year ever happened.</p>
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[QUOTE=MakeBank24]
The UC application (along with other university applications) clearly states that you must provide all transcripts from institutions you have attended for transfer admissions.
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<p>Do admissions officers simply consider the full GPA, inclusive of all college courses taken? Or do they consider that, if at one school a 2.5 was received, but at a CCC (which they are far more familiar with) a 3.95 was earned, the first year was likely at a far more intense school, and make an appropriate judgement?</p>
<p>If the 2.5 was from more than 5 years ago, UCs will allow you to apply for “academic forgiveness.” Otherwise, they look at it all.</p>
<p>You have to be VERY careful how many units you take before applying to a UC. Several of them will not consider candidates with too many units. Do your research on this subject or talk to a counselor at your CC.</p>
<p>Sure, they’ll make an appropriate mental adjustment, but not the way you want them to. Cal considers itself an premier college, with all the difficulty and grade deflation that goes along with that title. Thus, they will look at your “intense” liberal arts transcript and think, ‘hmmmm’. OTOH, they will be impressed with the upward trajectory. The point is that your admission rests solely on your essays and how you explain your new-found readiness, and C’s (in a competitive environment like Cal) to A’s at a community college. </p>
<p>Few LACs are known for grade deflation, so if you happen to have attended one of those (such as Reed), UC may cut you some slack.</p>
<p>Agree with hmom5: seek advice from your GC on how to package yourself in the best possible manner.</p>