Hey guys, so I recently changed my major this spring (sucks that I decided I wanted to do Econ after I already picked my classes this spring) but Im planning on transferring to either Cal , UCLA and UCSD . My IGETC is on track, I plan to start my Tap soon towards UCLA BizEcon. I just have a couple of questions Im hoping you guys can help me with.
I have a 3.68 with all As and one C. I will have all my IGETC done by next spring. This is m 2nd semester in my freshman year still and I want to go to one of those schools mentioned above but since I just changed my major I will only have this fall and next spring to finish my prereqs. Calc 1 and 2, Econ (Macro and Micro) and English 2 or 4.
My question is should I take Calc 1, Econ (Macro and Micro) and English 2 or 4 this fall and just take Calc 2 in the spring. Or should I try and do some summer classes because it will be better to finish all my prereqs before I appy in the Fall or does it matter that much? Would it matter to the admissions that I have worked hard in the fall to get most of the prereqs done in 1 semester just not Calc 2? And also when I apply in the Fall to these schools will they see my Fall grades on them or just my freshman fall and spring semester grades? And the summer classes offered for the prereqs have horrible teachers teaching in the summer (So I don’t want to jeopardize lowering my gpa to get stuff done in time)
Thank you if you have read this far and understood all of that. Sorry just need to know what would be best for me and give me the best chance to get into these top undergrad econ programs at the UCs. Please help thank you !!
Having final grades for the admissions committees to review during your admission evaluation does matter. For majors with a smaller number of prerequisites, like Econ, it matters even more so.
It’s recommend “pretty much required” to have at least one of the introductory economics courses completed in the Fall since Spring grades will not be completed in time for your admissions evaluation. It’s also practically required to have the Calc I equivalent completed by the end of Fall, since you can’t transfer Calc II without a prior Calc I equivalent and there are currently no viable short session options for a Calculus I equivalent.
It may. In the case you do, the committee would see that you loaded up in the Fall but would question why you didn’t take some of the courses earlier so you would have to explain your rationale of a late major change within your essays.
Regardless, it’s definitely not going to weigh on admissions to the extent that GPA and eventual course completion will so if loading up means a higher chance of a GPA drop, then it’s probably not worth it. Unfortunately a 3.68 is already on the lower end of the spectrum for Econ admits at the three of the schools you listed so grades should probably take priority. (Though I understand it’s only one “C” weighing you down so far.)
Despite bad profs, most here will agree that spreading some courses over to Summer would be easier than loading up in the Fall.
Additionally, if you are planning to TAG another UC campus (which is highly recommended for all competitive majors like Econ) I would review the TAG requirements to see when your choice campus requires you to finish your Math and English requirements.
Thank you so much you really explained most of it for me I apreciate it ! I was a playing baseball last semester which is why most of the courses I completed were for IGETC and I quit this starting semester because I wanted to focus and succeed in my academics more. Although I won a bunch of awards in hs for baseball , played for the Red Sox and Dodgers scout teams throughout the years, I’m definatly talented I just couldn’t see myself doing it for life. I’ve always had an interest in Economics and I only recently decided I wanted to change my major to it this semester and buckle down. Do you think that my circumstances would make sense to them? And If I get all of the prereqs done in the fall excepts Calc 2 you think they’ll really hold that against me because I didn’t spread out my prereqs? Sorry again for making it long I just like to have everything planned out in advance thank you !
I know nothing about the eligibility rules, but have you considered playing for UCLA? Athletes get scholarships, tutors, and if you are recruited admission is probably a sure thing.
I have but I’m just not interested in playing baseball at the division 1 level it’s too much of a time commitment I’d much rather focus on my grades. That might sound weird because I’m good at baseball I just feel like that part of my life is over
Note that UCB, UCSD, UCI, and UCSC have a more quantitative option in their economics majors. If you want to do that, you would have to take multivariable calculus and linear algebra, either before or after transfer.