quick question: what GPA do UC’s look at? overall? Assist certified GPA? MAJOR GPA?
@otoribashi
What I got from your story is that you’re always moving forward and sticking to your goal. I’m a strong believer that going to college will be very beneficial for you in the future, so no matter what stay in and get your degree! Physics and STEM majors are very difficult; I can assure you VERY few people have perfect grades. If physics is what your passionate in, I think you should stick to it, but if it’s not and there is a subject out there that interests you more then by all means go to it. In my opinion, physics is the most intellectually challenging science, so it’s expected that you’re not going to understand everything instantly. In terms of transfering to a UC, I think you should choose a UC where you’ll be most comfortable and not in a cut-throat environment and can focus on your academics without stressing too much over your grades and the grades of your peers. I wish you the best of luck. Don’t give up!
@otoribashi I definitely read that grade trends are considered on UCLA’s transfer site. Also, you got an A in a calculus based physics course so you clearly have the talent; at the colleges in my district (LACCD, largest CCC district in America) , only about 2 to 3 sections of calc based mechanics are offered every semester and it’s generally recognized that these physics courses are among the most difficult classes a student can take at this level.
I think you may not be as interested in the other subjects, maybe even just subconsciously, and so you’re not as motivated to excel in them. Also, don’t compare yourself to non-STEM students; it’s relatively easy to get a 4.00 if you don’t have the highly challenging courses like calculus, physics and linear algebra or even chemistry to weigh you down. The engineering students are extremely motivated in addition to being talented; they understand from the outset that it’s highly difficult to transfer as an engineering major and so their game has to be solid.
If you can get an A in physics I think you’re doing great; I’ve learned that you should never write yourself off based on currently perceived ability. There’s tons of people out there like Daniel Sparks who struggled in remedial math courses during high school, then transferred from a CCC to UC Berkeley where he graduated as the valedictorian from the math department and then went on to get his PhD at Berkeley.
Everyone who has meaningful goals, no matter how smart, is in the same situation you’re in: they’re scared they don’t have what it takes to succeed at the level they want, so in my view you just need to manifest the courage necessary to keep trying despite any guarantee of success. If I were you I’d apply to all the UCs you’re interested in and continue to do your best. The fact that you’re comparing yourself to other people with different situations (and even non-STEM majors) tells me you just need to think more positively and stop making assumptions about your potential as a student.
@ifechi From what I’ve read, it seems clear that they look at your composite college GPA, and if anything I’m sure they will give even greater weight to major GPA.
@ifechi @mightyMETA
They only count the courses that are transferable to calculate your GPA. So your composite college GPA is never used. Although they want you to report all of the courses you’ve taken, they calculate your GPA based on transferable courses. GPAs posted on this forum are Transferable GPA- the GPA calculated based on courses that are transferable to UCs.
Hope this helped.
Admission do in fact take a note at other courses, this is true. However, the GPA they’ll look at is transferable GPA.
Also, Major GPA is very important within impacted majors. Overall GPA matters, but I think major GPA would be more important for Econ, Psychology,Bio,Chem, All Engineering and etc…
The earlier the better.
CC student transferring after 3 years
GPA: 3.34, hopefully 3.5 by the end of the fall
Major GPA: 3.0
Major: Chemical Engineering
Prereqs left: O’Chem II, Calc III, Differential Equ., Physics 103,
ECs: Co-Founder of the Robotics Club at my CC, 9 month internship as an “Intern Chemist” (later promoted to Lab Tech for a month) at a Lufthansa electroplating lab, and I just spent a summer at USC doing [microbiology] research.
Also applying to: UCSB, UCB, USC, UCSC, UCI, UCSD, and Stanford.
I’m relying mostly on my ECs and my personal statement. My GPA is a result of working during the semester and a lack of motivation. I also have some APs from high school, probably won’t matter too much at this point.
I might try to find a school in the LA area that offers a course in MATLAB
Anyone know if UCLA takes into account the fact that some CCCs don’t have equivalent courses to UCLA’s major prereqs? I’ll be missing one poli sci major pre req because my community college doesn’t offer an equivalent course. How will that affect admissions counselors’ decision?
I’m pretty sure that UCLA takes that into account. Whatever equivalent you cannot complete in community college, you’ll end up doing it at UCLA. What I did for some of the other UCs that had classes that my CCC didn’t have was to look at the other CCCs in the district and see if they offered it instead. But to reiterate, you’ll be fine if you’re missing a class that your community didn’t offer, it’s at no fault of your own. Try to complete as many pre-reqs as you can by the Fall you apply to the UCs. Good luck.
UCLA’s polisci transfer policy: “to be considered for this major, you must have completed at least three preparatory courses by the spring before transfer.” I feel like I won’t even be considered, having taken only two major prep classes by spring.
Lol yikes I just started a thread about me not having taken any prereqs by fall… And thus begins my demise.
@annbern “courses by the spring before transfer” means completing those courses by the end of that semester. So after you finish your spring semester, the following Fall would be your first semester at the university you transferred to. Are you also a one year political science transfer?
Oops I meant I’d only have taken two major prep classes by END of spring. And yes, I am a hopeful one year transfer. If things don’t end up working in terms of prereqs though, I’ll transfer in two.
Awesome to hear that there’s more one year transfers to the UCs out there. The reason I can transfer in one year is because I have enough AP credits to deal with non-major related IGETC requirement; I assume you’re the same.
Have you considered taking major prep classes during the winter semester?
@annbern If they don’t offer it at your cc, you’re fine. From the seminars I’ve attended, they’re able to see which courses are offered at your cc and which don’t articulate. Just try to get the requirements that ARE available at your cc done by Spring 
@jackbane yup, thank god for AP haha! Are there not only two semesters–fall and spring?
@LynAmmo thanks for clearing that up! I am still a bit worried though, as I’ve heard polisci is an impacted major at UCLA. Others have said–though I’m not sure for which major/if any major at all they are referring to-- to not even bother applying to UCLA if prereqs haven’t been completed.
So for the semester system, there are the mandatory fall and spring semesters but also the summer and winter semesters during break offered at your community college. I’m sure you’ve heard of them; they’re faster paced and you complete them in about 5 weeks. So for example, I’ll be taking Econ 1 over winter break to lighten my schedule for the spring semester and complete the UCSB econ requirement for poli sci.
Regarding UCLA, I think you should definitely apply as long as you can reach your 60 units required to transfer. You should look into the other UCs as well. Transferring in one year is so amazing. You can complete university in 3 years total and you’ll have junior status priority registration, in case you need to complete more general eds after you transfer.
@annbern Yeah, PoliSci is impacted, but if you have money to spare it’s better to just apply because you never know. Looking on the thread from last year some got in without all the pre-reqs completed. You have till spring, so you can pile up on some fall, winter, and spring courses. It’s worth a shot >:D<
@jackbane I don’t think my college offers winter courses… I believe we only have summer, fall, and spring unfortunately. But even then, I still would have needed to take prereqs during the fall as opposed to any other semester.
@LynAmmo I’ll keep that in mind! Thanks for your help.
Update: Called UCLA undergrad advisors for polisci. You guys were right. They do take into consideration the applicant’s course limitations!
I’m ready for this semester
Hello! Just wanted to wish you guys the best this upcoming application period! I’m glad to be part of this crazy process with all of you! Here are my stats in case any of you guys are wondering.
Stats:
School: CCC
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
UC GPA: 4.0
Major GPA: 4.0
IGETC: incomplete, will not have time to take English
Major prep: need second semester physics (E & M) and differential equations .
Tap: No
Units completed: 43 semester units
Grades trends: Got a 4.0 summer, fall, and spring terms I’ve been here.
ECs:
Summer Internship at a UC
Besides that nothing much lol, will probably be a math tutor, join some more clubs, and volunteer next semester.