English major transfer to UCLA

Transfer Students
1

<p>UCLA is one of my first choices to apply to this Fall. Currently, I have 3.9 GPA, and will complete my IGETC by time of transfer, as well become a certified honors-student. My CCC also has a TAP agreement with UCLA's CLS.</p>

<p>However, according to assist.org, I need to take either 5 courses of a foreign language (up to 5th level) OR finish 3, plus two foreign literature courses. I cannot possible fulfill the first requirement, given that I only have one year left. The second requirement I can probablly do, but my college counselor told me that since I plan on doing post-grad work, it is better for me to finish the foreign language requirement by doing the first (post-grad students in English have to take a test on their knowledge of a foreign language).</p>

<p>My question is should I just go accordingly to what my counselor said (I will only be able to finish up to level 2, probablly level 3 of a foreign langauge by time of transfer), or should I do the second requirement? Does anybody know that if I opt for the first choice, it will lessen my chances of being admitted?</p>

<p>Also, if anybody knows anything about Berkeley's English program, please respond. I have checked out their major-prep requirement at assist.org, but my CCC only has one of the four classes on their list. Does anyone know if I have to finish those other major-preps at Berkeley (assuming I do get in)?</p>

2

<p>That's a really hard decision pellman. Your stats are great I have to say, along with TAP that's almost a guaranteed thing you'll get in. So are they saying you have to finish 5 semesters of a foreign language? That is really way too long and will take too much time.
My friend who was a 4.0 as a bio major(impacted as well), did not complete her last years of orgo chem and bio, she got into UCLA though. And I've seen people who didn't get in by just missing ONE requirement for bio, which is sad. But they had less stellar GPAs than my 4.0 friend.
If I were you I'd take the 2nd choice because there's isnt much time and I wouldn't want to sacrifice my chances of getting into UCLA with a few missing classes.
It's up to you though, do what you think is best, it may take time to figure it out. This is what I do sometimes: write out pros and cons, and see which one weighs more.</p>

3

<p>which ccc do you go to pellman?</p>

4

<p>One thing I know for sure, not completeing foreign language course will NOT hinder your chance of admission.</p>

<p>Many people do not to take any foreign language courses and just simply take the foreign language placement test AT UCLA after the enrollment and get high score and just get it over with.</p>

5

<p>yeh i understand that but at the same time I want to keep my option for grad school, and there is an extensive foreign language test in any university that offers English Masters/PhD.</p>

<p>I go to LACC, if you wanna know.</p>

6

<p>I was worried about UCLA's English pre-reqs when I applied, too. It turns out to have been silly -- I only did through Italian 2 and they still accepted me, plus my GPA was below yours (either a 3.7 or a 3.4, depending on how they computed it) so do what will help your education.</p>

<p>As for Berkeley's pre-reqs, well, I satisfied all the ones my college offered. That's about all you can do. You WILL need to do Shakespeare, 45A-B-C and all the other requirements, just like any Cal English major would.</p>

7

<p>"UCLA is one of my first choices to apply to this Fall. Currently, I have 3.9 GPA, and will complete my IGETC by time of transfer, as well become a certified honors-student. My CCC also has a TAP agreement with UCLA's CLS."</p>

<p>You will get in no problem. I got into UCLA/UCB with a slightly lower gpa but also with tap and other extracurriculars. </p>

<p>"However, according to assist.org, I need to take either 5 courses of a foreign language (up to 5th level) OR finish 3, plus two foreign literature courses. I cannot possible fulfill the first requirement, given that I only have one year left. The second requirement I can probablly do, but my college counselor told me that since I plan on doing post-grad work, it is better for me to finish the foreign language requirement by doing the first (post-grad students in English have to take a test on their knowledge of a foreign language)."</p>

<p>For grad school, I would start taking your language sequences as soon as possible. It doesn't really matter for UCLA/UCB admission (with your stats)</p>

<p>"My question is should I just go accordingly to what my counselor said (I will only be able to finish up to level 2, probablly level 3 of a foreign langauge by time of transfer), or should I do the second requirement? Does anybody know that if I opt for the first choice, it will lessen my chances of being admitted?"</p>

<p>Not at all.</p>

<p>"Also, if anybody knows anything about Berkeley's English program, please respond. I have checked out their major-prep requirement at assist.org, but my CCC only has one of the four classes on their list. Does anyone know if I have to finish those other major-preps at Berkeley (assuming I do get in)?"</p>

<p>Berkeley's English program is better (top five), UCLA's English is decent in itself (top ten-twentyish). Yes, you will have to complete those major preps at Cal. I would suggest you find another nearby cc to complete those pre-reqs though (just to save money and time). Perhaps GCC, PCC, or SMC?</p>

8

<p>Well, I've been reading Cal's English pre-reqs, and it there are four that I need before I declare to be an English major.</p>

<p>Shakespeare
English 45-A
English 45-B (can only take at Berkeley)
English 45-C (can only take at Berkeley)</p>

<p>I have already taken the Shakespeare class, and will be done with English45-A (English 205 at my college) by end of Fall. However, the Shakespeare class at my CCC does not satisfy Berkeley's requirements. But I've been looking at other colleges like LA Valley, Santa Monica College, and even Trade Tech (...) that offer the same class with nearly the same curriculum, and they get accredited with those classes. Should I contact Berkeley abous this?</p>

<p>Anyway, does anybody here attend Cal (or has attended)? During your first semester after transfer, when you have to complete those pre-reqs, can you take upper-division courses along with them in anticipation that you will be an English major? Because 1 semester with only two/three classes is kind of a waste of time...</p>

9

<p>You don't need to take all four before you can declare the English major at Berkeley, you need to take two: 45A or 45B and one of Shakespeare, 45A, 45B or 45C.</p>

<p>I'll be starting Cal in the spring, so I don't know how the enrollment works. I would imagine that taking whatever other courses you needed the first semester (say the Shakespeare and one of the 45s) would occupy you; then you can take two or three classes outside the major, and declare in time for upper divs the next semester.</p>

10

<p>But seriously.. what can you do with an English major?</p>

<p>The best thing you can do is to be an English Professor at your college.. or become a bestselling author for the future. OR some newspaper editor.</p>

11

<p>"Well, I've been reading Cal's English pre-reqs, and it there are four that I need before I declare to be an English major.</p>

<p>Shakespeare
English 45-A
English 45-B (can only take at Berkeley)
English 45-C (can only take at Berkeley)"</p>

<p>You only need to complete two of these requirements to declare.</p>

<p>"I have already taken the Shakespeare class, and will be done with English45-A (English 205 at my college) by end of Fall. However, the Shakespeare class at my CCC does not satisfy Berkeley's requirements. But I've been looking at other colleges like LA Valley, Santa Monica College, and even Trade Tech (...) that offer the same class with nearly the same curriculum, and they get accredited with those classes. Should I contact Berkeley abous this?"</p>

<p>Why are you going to contact Berkeley? Just consult Assist...?</p>

<p>"Anyway, does anybody here attend Cal (or has attended)? During your first semester after transfer, when you have to complete those pre-reqs, can you take upper-division courses along with them in anticipation that you will be an English major? Because 1 semester with only two/three classes is kind of a waste of time..."</p>

<p>You can take whatever you want; though, declared English majors are given preference in upper div English classes. If you have an intention to declare, you are given preference over people who are just taking classes for enrichment and so forth.</p>

12

<p>"But seriously.. what can you do with an English major?</p>

<p>The best thing you can do is to be an English Professor at your college.. or become a bestselling author for the future. OR some newspaper editor."</p>

<p>dhl3, why do you go out of your way to bash on someone elses aspirations? </p>

<p>The few occupations you mention are pretty noble endeavors. English professors educate students to read, write and think critically. Authors contribute to the culture at large through whatever genre they write in. Newspaper editors choose the information that reaches the masses. I mean seriously, do you think doing business is the only meaningful occupation a person can choose? </p>

<p>But thats beside the fact, since the English major is quite broad, it will allow you to pursue careers in many fields...</p>

13

<p>All of my English major friends got into UCLA as transfers without their language requirements completed. Doesn't need to be completed for admission. </p>

<p>Lots of English majors want to write (journalism, literature, etc), teach, etc. Nothing wrong with that, really. They're probably attaining more applicable skills in their classes (for their desired careers) than most of us, excluding pre-med majors. </p>

<p>Though I do seriously suggest internships for English majors, so they can acquire some real life business skills as well. Being an English major + working retail and never having a real job= scary and not very practical for the whole post-graduation i-need-to-make-money-to-survive thing. I only say that because I know soooooo many English majors who just want to write but who don't really fully realize how hard it is to live as a writer without a backup career.</p>

14

<p>dhl3, there's a lot you can do with an English major, you can go to law school, medical school and a lot more. It helps students become better critical and analytical thinkers/writers. Medical schools like to also see students with a broad based education, so being an English Pre-Med(or any other nonscience major) could actually enhance their chance of getting into medical school, offering a great chance to stand out among the more atypical science majors.</p>

<p>An english major is also an option most pre-law students choose because the amount of analytical and critical work done as an English major can help the student be prepared for the LSATs and law school, which requires heavy amounts of reading and writing. If you are great in writing, you may be able to write for you school's law school review which will REALLy help you for future job prospects after graduation.</p>