@goldencub Oh sorry, I’m realizing my error: I have a 4.0 in my major, about a 3.1 from my previous school (an art school out of state). When I spoke with a UCLA counselor last year, she looked over my previous grades and said she was fairly certain the majority of those classes would not transfer to any UC for an English major. That’s not a guarantee, however, they could very well accept some of those credits or none at all. Time will tell, I suppose.
Hey everyone!
I applied to UCLA and Berkeley as a one year transfer for Poli Sci. I have a 4.0 and all my prereqs completed (I’m .11 above the 75%th percentile admitted GPA for my major). I have my 60 creds and IGETC completed.
Anyway, Berkeley has been my dream for a few years now. But I finally visited the campus and I was not impressed. It was too gloomy, and I couldn’t really find anything to do in the area with my friends. The only thing that would persuade me to enroll there if admitted is their Creative Writing minor, screenwriting and acting classes, and that their Poli Sci program only requires eight upper division classes.
I’d love to go to UCLA. I’m a SoCal, greater Los Angeles resident. I was blown away by their campus and their student body. I’d imagine my time at Berkeley being filled with studying and writing from morning until evening (I don’t think I’m too smart, I just put in the work). But at UCLA, the students just seemed better well-rounded.
So I have a few questions about UCLA. 1) as a Poli Sci major, could I take screenwriting and acting courses in their school of Film/TV/Theater etc.?
2) what’s the work load for the average Poli Sci major? I hear at Berkeley there’s 600+ pages of reading a week, and a research paper usually every other week.
3) I want to break into standup/comedy writing, so LA would better suit my needs. Could I intern in film programs while at UCLA? Or are they strictly reserved for those in the Film/TV/Theater school?
4) could I minor in Film? At Berkeley, I could minor in Creative Writing—letting me take their screenwriting courses. Would I be able to do this at UCLA? If not, I’d minor in English, but I’d much rather write than read (narcassistic me, lol).
Any advice would really, really help!!
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Yes, you could minor in Film, Theatre, etc.
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Political Science courses largely vary based on the subject matter and the instructor. There really isn’t a standard for required reading or writing to expect across all courses.
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Internships will almost certainly be given to majors in those areas. Arts internships are far too competitive in the LA regions regardless of whether you attend UCLA, USC, or any other neighboring schools. Though journalism and media internships are often available to PolSci majors. Those would likely still be valuable to those who are trying to make a name for themselves.
If you live within driving distance of UCLA and are accepted, 100% attend. You would be able to either live at home or return on the weekends. Your costs would be lower. Your transition would be smoother. However, career wise, you are going to be solid at either school.
Thanks @TheVisionary !
I think I’ve been too consumed with Berkeley’s prestige to really look at “best fit.” I know I’d like UCLA more, but Berkeley has always really caught my eye for some reason or another.
I looked at the course catalog, and I think it’d be super down for UCLA if I get in. Thanks!!
so the new profile shows only the 25% and 75%GPA averages, correct?
@UCMtoUCSBHopeful Not averages, percentiles. The 50th percentile would be the median, not the mean.
if you have one in course in progress for your IGETC (for me it is a transferable math course), while transferring (statistics) will you get denied? (im applying next year)
Well it was a nice dream. Fall 2014 statistics I was above and now 75 percentile is a 4.00 for financial actuarial mathematics, with my final gpa falling at the 25. Feels like high school all over again.
@kamiture Those statistics reflect admitted applicants. Being at the 25 doesn’t kill your chances at all. 25% of the people admitted had their GPAs at the 25. Not bad at all.
Thanks ^_^. I am just a pessimist. I just hope it doesn’t get to a point in which the transfer gpa’s are impossible to compete with.
Just in case anyone doesn’t know how to get the median GPA(Similar to the average GPA) from the published 25th and 75th percentiles in the ucla 2015 transfer profile, just add the 25th percentile value and the 75th percentile value. Then divide that value by half. That’s the median GPA for admission into the major you’re looking at.
http://www.statisticshowto.com/calculators/interquartile-range-calculator/
This website can help you with calculating the median GPA for admission into whatever major you’re considering.
What is the Average GPA for Applicants of the Business Economics Major>
@bowling555 Not published, and median =/= mean.
Thought this was an interesting article,
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-uc-enrollment-20160120-story.html
If they admitted entirely based on GPA’s, everyone with a GPA at the 25th percentile would get admitted. Of course, they don’t admit entirely based on GPA, but it seems like GPA is the most important factor. So people at the 25th percentile may have a very good chance.
I have a question about the admit GPA %
Do you think the gpas are based on the admit’s uc transferable gpa or major gpa?
I got a question about updating my grades. I am a business/econ major and need calculus 2 as a requirement. I am currently in calc 1 this winter but I will not be able to pass and will be dropping it. Grades are due by this month but I can technically drop calc by the 3rd of February and say I planned on doing calc 2 even though I will really be doing calc and dropping the class after the deadline. I feel like this would get me accepted(as I have a 4.0 through these 40 something units, scholars, finishing igetc by spring, and a good application/resume).
But my email says "You may submit another update if your winter intersession grades become available before the deadline.
If your planned coursework changes or you receive D or F grades in winter coursework after the academic update deadline, you must notify the UC Application Center at the address or email below."
Technically an F is different from a W, so do I still have to notify them right away if anyone knows? I will be asking my counselor soon but just would like some advice. I will unfortunately end up only passing calc 1, but with a 4.0 up to this point and probably will get 3 A’s next semester and a B-C(probably a C) in Calc; drop me to around a 3.85
@SoCalDad2 GPA is very important, but 4.0 students can be rejected by not completing all major prerequisites, not completing GE, etc. - as you pointed out. Proportionately, GPA is the most important factor, but an applicant must also have other attributes (such as the aforementioned). So, if all things are completed properly and whatnot, then yes, a 25th percentile student can be very competitive (and this is where extracurriculars and the personal statement shine).
It would be interesting if we had a transfer profile from one of the UC’s that doesn’t read the personal statement. It’s probably more of a numbers game for those schools. UCB and UCLA heavily stress the holistic aspect(s) of their respective admissions processes.
If you lie that you are going to take calc 2 and it’s required then yes you will be accepted but your admission will be rescinded as soon as they go over your grades. By the looks of it you won’t be able to finish calc 2 unless you do it in summer, if you drop, but i believe reqs are due by the spring at latest, with most schools.
In my friends’ cases, they dropped Physics EM with a W , and made the argument that a a W != F, emailed UCR and were conditionally admitted with them finishing the required course in summer. Of course there is the major difference of schools and availability.
@smctothe If you don’t report it, your admission will likely be rescinded.
Even after the TAU deadline, if there are any major changes in coursework (withdrawal, failed class, etc.), you are required to notify them.