How do I stand in terms of transferring to NYU, Columbia, Cornell, UC Berkeley, LA?

<p>Hello all!</p>

<p>I am going into my second year at a California community college in Southern California, in San Diego (Mira Costa). Time to start getting ready to apply to transfer to a 4 year university.</p>

<p>I was just wondering what my chances are at making it into the schools in my title (and also USC).</p>

<p>Background:
CC gpa: 3.2 (still have 35 more credits to take, starting to improve my grades, working a lot harder, if I can get straight A's from here on out, I'll finish with a 3.6-3.7)</p>

<p>I work for a private investment firm, for a man who is one of the top contributors to the UC schools and invented some pretty amazing things, attended Columbia himself. I work very closely with his accountant and executive assistant, which will hopefully be excellent people to write letters of rec (I have some others in mind as well). By the time I apply for transfer I will have been working here for one year, by the time I transfer out it will be around 1.5 years. I will also be joining my CC's finance/investment club very soon. </p>

<p>My goal is to study international relations/business/finance, and becoming a stockbroker, and ultimately reaching a higher position as a portfolio/hedgefund manager (possibly internationally). I would like to acquire an internship during my undergraduate studies, work/intern once I graduate, and go to grad school for my M.B.A.</p>

<p>In my spare time I enjoy bodybuilding, surfing, buying/selling for profit, and am in a big virtual stock game (I placed 420 out of 12,000-and-some people, not sure how important that is but I'm proud of it :) )</p>

<p>I have been bodybuilding for several years, and plan on competing next year. I will be tying this into my essay, since it has played a significant role in my life. It has truly shaped who I am, giving me the confidence and determination I have. I have a clear goal in mind and I know I can achieve it, if I can just get that on paper and show these universities that! :)</p>

<p>Not sure how much this matters, but I am also Iranian (persian), and have helped the youth in my community with holding past athletic events.</p>

<p>I've got the IGETC contract, and have guaranteed admission to all UC's except for Berkeley and UCLA, as long as I keep above a 3.0. I've heard for Berkeley and UCLA you should preferably have above a 3.5. Like I said, I'm working incredibly hard on my grades and can almost guarantee I will have straight A's from here on out.</p>

<p>A friend of mine who just transferred to UCLA said that by the time they receive your application, they will also receive your Fall grades, even though you are applying before the semester is over. </p>

<p>*Assuming I get straight A's with these summer classes and my fall term, that puts me at 40 credits with an avg of ~3.5-3.6. *</p>

<p>Then I will obviously still need to take 20 credits to finish off (my friend also told me UCLA just watches to make sure he passes all of the rest of his classes). </p>

<p>Any feedback is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read all of that :D</p>

<p>Anyone?..</p>

<p>Pre-dinner bump</p>

<p>Letters will not get you into top schools, a high GPA will. 3.2 at a CC won’t cut it, you need to focus on school. For Columbia you’ll also need a high SAT or ACT.</p>

<p>I didn’t say letters would get me into top schools. And I did say I’m focusing a lot harder. And as I put in bold…I still have summer classes and fall term to factor into my gpa.</p>

<p>bump…</p>