How much would two W's affect my chance into UCLA/UCB?

<p>I heard some contradictory things being said about whether a W affects anything or not, so I'm starting to get worried. I have two of them - one from summer and one from this semester, and I've been in ccc since summer 08. They weren't caused by family tragedies or severe illnesses or anything like that. I bit off more than I could chew in the summer because I was too ambitiously attempting to take 10 units at the tender age of 13 after previously taking one 4 unit Japanese class in the summer before that and a nontransferable class in the spring. I dropped out of my statistics class because I'm planning on taking the honors course and I can't do that if I've already completed the course.</p>

<p>I've heard that explaining the reason helps. I'm not sure if they'll buy "I was overwhelmed" for the first W because I enrolled in a late-start class of the same number of units after I dropped that class or "I wanted to take it in honors". I've also heard it affects chances of admission in graduate schools. Is this true? </p>

<p>By the way, I'm a psychology major with a 4.00 and I'm planning to transfer in 2011. I'm also new to this site. I'm not sure if I put this in the right board. Apologies if it's wrong.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry… 2 or 3 won’t affect your application, or if it does, almost insignificantly. I had 3 before I transferred to Cal. However, I wouldn’t rack up any more unless you absolutely have to. You are right to think beyond Cal/UCLA to grad school applications in the future.</p>

<p>I had one and I transferred to Cal to. It’s cool, you’ll be fine.
**
And you were taking classes (10 units none the less) when you were 13???**</p>

<p>*that’s ballsy *</p>

<p>Just curious, how did you take the class at 13? I always wondered how that worked. In my district you had to at least be in high school for dual enrollment.</p>

<p>I did it in the summers when I was 14 and 15 and my CC called it concurrent enrollment program with my high school. The counselor at my high school had to approve students who wanted to take classes and our parents had to sign a form as well.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone for the replies! </p>

<p>The cc I started taking classes at had a K-12 policy. Kindergartners could enroll if they wanted to. Strange. </p>

<p>I’m just glad I’m okay then. So does anyone know what graduate school’s policies about the W are?</p>

<p>kindergartners could enroll and pass half the classes at my old cc</p>

<p>I know a 12 year old who’s the best student in his Calculus III class. It’s funny to see reactions to his age.</p>

<p>Sorry for sort of thread-jacking my own thread but you said you transfered to Cal? Could you share any tips? The trasnfering process is pretty mysterious to me.</p>

<p>your GPA is a 4.0. If you have your prereqs and IGETC done by spring 2010, you’ll be fine. </p>

<p>But what the hell…</p>

<p>Be thorough in your application, don’t leave out spaces to put in EC’s, work, or volunteering. For example, I put in Basketball: 3 hours/week and 16 weeks/year - For personal enjoyment and in competitive leagues. Don’t put in anything that will not help paint a pretty picture of you in the admissions officers eyes. </p>

<p>In your essay, make sure you come across as someone who is mature and capable of achieving goals. You are a transfer student so they are looking for people who have grown since they graduated high school. Be decisive and make sure your first essay shows the admissions officer that you are 100% committed to your major and that you plan on perusing a career that will be enhanced by the degree you hold. In your second essay, you need to distinguish yourself from your peers by telling them why a personal experience makes you a good applicant. Don’t write about some normal event or person that could happen to just anyone, write about something unique that happened to you and by being a part of it, you became the applicant they see.</p>

<p>Besides making sure your prereqs/IGETC is done, doing the best you can on your essay and application, I’d say that you are fine for psychology. You have the 4.0 so no need to sweat too much. Just make sure that your essay is the best it can be and you’ll be fine. </p>

<p>Oh and make sure to keep up that GPA this semester (for the January update).</p>

<p>best of luck</p>

<p>Wow! Thank you very much! Apologies if I’m bothering you, but for instance, in my second essay, would writing about starting to take college courses early be considered “unique”?</p>

<p>that’s tricky. I guess it depends on who is reading the essay and how your articulate it but I personally see the idea as a little “showoffy”. I suppose if you incorporate how you solidified your study habits and found who you were by taking the classes you would come off well. </p>

<p>It’s your decision though, if you’re comfortable with it and feel like you can write the best essay with that topic, go for it. I’m just one guy with one opinion, if you really want to get some good input find someone at admissions, call them up, and ask if they could read your essay. I never realized how easy it is to talk to someone in admissions until I got here.</p>

<p>^^^
Really? Call Cal admissions and let them help mold your personal statement?
that is quite interesting.</p>

<p>I was hoping to write about how it changed me to take challenging classes at a young age, so I suppose that would be alright. Thanks again for all of the help!</p>

<p>Hey you guys i had a quick question. I JUST submitted my UC applications, but one of the counselors told me not to include any of my w’s or no-credit’s on the application. However, another one of my counselors just told me i HAVE to include the w’s. is this true?? i have already pressed submit to my application… what are my options?</p>

<p>You need to include the W’s. E-mail each campus to update your application, and reference the tracking number you got after you submitted your app.</p>

<p>Thanks AMorrison. I’ve had 2 W’s and a No-Credit in PE. do you think it will effect any admission decisions??</p>

<p>No, I think it is the general consensus on the board the 1-2 W’s won’t hurt you. If it were 13, maybe it would be a different story.</p>

<p>Speaking of that, how bad are no credits? I’m assuming they’re less influential than W’s but I just want to make sure. (Plus, I sort of wanted my thread back.)</p>