<p>I'm not ready to transfer and I'm curious as to which school I should go to (or can get into). What was your GPA upon acceptance? I still have about a year to go before I can transfer and my GPA is only between a 3.0 -- 3.3. In the past it was even lower. I plan on working much harder in the next semester to raise my GPA. Now comes the big question, if I was to raise my GPA to Berkeley "level" and keep it there for the next year, would I have a chance to get in (or did I already shoot myself in the foot)? Be honest, I can take it. I have loose plans to transfer to UCSC or SF State so that I can stay close to home in the Bay Area. I eventually want to go to graduate school (Berkeley would be nice). But enough about me, really. . . </p>
<p>Berkeley history majors or other social science type are welcome to weigh in as well.</p>
<p>The first thing I suggest you do is get the idea out of your mind that GPA is the only, or even the most important, factor in being accepted. Don't get me wrong, a 3.8+ is going to help, but if you don't have it you can still be competitive.</p>
<p>I'm a history major and applied to UC Irvine, UCSB, UCLA, and UC Berkeley and have been accepted to all four (honors program at UCSB). I have a 3.84 GPA, completed all pre-reqs offered by my school, completed IGETC, had strong extra curriculars (work 40 hours a week, VP and charter member of campus military club, Air Force veteran, etc). I think those stats put me in the fairly strong applicant range, but what really set me apart IMO was my admissions essay. I had it proof read by a handful of people, including two Cal alumni, both of which score admissions essays, and they both said it was outstanding. One was just like "Wow... O_o".</p>
<p>Here is the formula that you need to follow to get accepted. Everything is laid out for you and all you need to do is follow it and you can feel confident of your chances:</p>
<ul>
<li>Get only A's from this point forward. If Berkeley is your goal, you have zero excuse to get anything but an A from this point on. Make it happen.</li>
<li>If you're not doing so already start working on 1-2 strong (emphasis on strong, as opposed to random here-and-there) extra curriculars. As a history major, look up local historical societies (talk to your instructors too) about research, archiving, volunteering, etc.</li>
<li>Join Alpha Gamma Sigma right now and Phi Theta Kappa when your GPA gets to 3.5+</li>
<li>Complete IGETC by the end of Spring 09</li>
<li>Complete all history pre-reqs offered by your school by the end of Spring 09 (Welcome</a> to ASSIST for the history pre-reqs your school offers that transfer to Berkeley)</li>
<li>Write an amazing personal statement for your UC application. Most people seem to think their's was great even when it was not. Start early and have it read by multiple qualified people.</li>
</ul>
<p>I hope others feel free to add their advice in case I forgot anything.</p>
<p>Keep in touch with this forum often. You'll find it to usually be a great source of advice.</p>
<p>I agree with everything Eward04 said. I'm at Cal and got into UCLA, UCD and UCSC as well as some Ivys and liberal arts colleges with a Cum. GPA of 3.3. The selling point for me was that my first attempt at cc went bad (2.7 GPA and 19 withdraws). On returning, I held a 3.9 GPA and did Honors, Phi Theta Kappa, tutored for my cc's history department and wrote a very good essay. I took responsibility for my bad grades and showed how they helped me become a better student. </p>
<p>Important: Wherever you intend to transfer for history should have a strong emphasis in an area you are interested in. I wanted to study British Imperialism so Cal was my decision (because of its Center for British Studies). Don't go so much by the name - look to where you think you will have the best fit and be able to develop the tools you'll need for grad school (if that's your intention).</p>
<p>Thank you Edward04 and CalBear2009 for your honesty and advice. It will no doubt help me out. </p>
<p>To clear up any misconceptions, I am not considering applying to Berkeley soley based on the prestigious name. I live relatively close to the campus and because of my family situation I must stay close to home. (Santa Cruz is as far as I'm willing to go).</p>
<p>I have one more question: In your experiences, is your Cum. GPA considered separately from and more than grade trends? Or is it considered hand-in-hand? </p>
<p>Anyone else is free to add their experiences as well.</p>
<p>I agree with what these people said. I have around a 3.4 overall with Honors classes, Dean's list, and a little club stuff and I got rejected from UCLA but got into Cal, ucsb, and ucsd. I think my personal statement was honest and good and I had some family stuff that definitely was a challenge and they really took that into consideration. You have a solid chance of getting in, just be honest on your essay.</p>
<p>GPA may not be everything, but it is extremely important in the admissions process. Especially if you don't have a lot of good ec's. Completing your pre-reqs and IGETC are also very important. I had a 3.85 and got into UCB, UCLA, UCD, UCSC. I also have a military background which im sure helped out. Cumulative GPA is important but it seems that they also look heavily upon grade trends. Get that gpa up!</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. Even if I don't get into Berkeley, I'll be happy transfering to UCSC or SF State. I'm definitely going to do my best to get in by doing everything you all have suggested, but as long as I can get into Berkeley for graduate school, I'm happy.</p>