<p>What could a prospective UC transfer do to increase their chances of placing into an impacted major? I'm looking to try for Human Biology at UCSD, and all divisions of the Biological Sciences are impacted this upcoming year and I doubt that's likely to change by the time I transfer (if at all). I understand the TAG Agreement and being guaranteed admission to the UC school of my choice but NOT the major, so do I simply maintain a high GPA in CC, apply early, get everything in on time and hope for the best from there? Do they reject well-qualified/competitive students from certain impacted majors just because they're overcrowded?</p>
<p>Finish as much pre-reqs as possible with the highest GPA possible. That is pretty much all you can do. </p>
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<p>Happens all the time.</p>
<p>My friend got into History with a 3.4 and I got into Poli Sci with 3.8- I have the perfect resume you can think of, my friend simply worked part time. </p>
<p>I think what you do isn’t the only thing that matters but what you’ll bring to the school. Your essays will be key in this one.</p>
<p>Aww mannnnn. While I’d be very happy attending UCSD, the mere thought of not studying what I want makes my insides hurt. 
I guess I’ll do what’s within my control and apply to a broad number of UC’s while keeping my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>Which leads me to my next question - once transferred and studying an alternate major, how difficult is it transferring into the major I initially wanted (which is impacted)?</p>
<p>Do you really have that little confidence in yourself? Before I was accepted to UCLA everyone will give me the you-might-not-get-in look once I’d tell them that I was a Poli Sci major (which is the 2nd most impacted at UCLA). On the other hand, my major isn’t impacted at Berkeley where I was rejected.</p>
<p>A friend of mine got into UCLA as a Chinese major when he could have gone to UCSD for Econ (his first choice) now UCLA won’t let him change and his kicking himself for doing this. </p>
<p>Ask yourself what you really want.</p>
<p>I don’t doubt myself at all; I know I’ll make the grades - it’s my lack of confidence in the school allowing me into a way overcrowded major even if I’m competitive on paper.</p>
<p>Then it’s ultimately up to you. If you have what it takes- the college will take you. Also keep in mind that financial issues matter… </p>
<p>But I do hope you get into where you want doing what you like.</p>
<p>I’m also worried about getting into UCSD’s Biochem/Bio major. I read that they’re only accepting 200 transfer students into the bio program for fall 2011. I’ll be signing a TAG with them, but between not having started calculus based physics and only being halfway through the calculus series by the time I transfer, I’m afraid I might not be “competitive” enough.</p>
<p>Does anyone have an idea as to what might be considered a “safe” GPA to shoot for?</p>
<p>@SDhopeful: I know a lot of people will come here and give all these reasons why you shouldn’t worry about your admission because you’re certainly in. A GPA doesn’t guarantee you anything- I know people that got into UCLA with a GPA as low as 3.2 and a whole bunch of people that got rejected with 4.0s.</p>
<p>In short, you really need to have something about you that stands out. You might think that this impossible but you’d be surprised. Even something that you might not think it’s special- could be the reason why you get accepted to a school.</p>
<p>One of the things that matter a lot is how you overcome difficulty. Personal Statement is the key!</p>
<p>Though my major is more in the creative field (Film) when it comes to impacted majors I pretty much know the gist of it all. I had a 3.8 GPA and covered more than needed as far as pre-reqs, so I had a nice base to sit upon. What was most important, however, were my letters of rec and my essays. I got into the UCLA program and I know that the final decision of my acceptance was mainly based on my letters, papers, and interview responses. Give them your voice in a compelling way, make yourself stand out (no matter what), and just be confident.</p>
<p>^ Film is my alternate major in case UCSD doesn’t let me in Human Bio. 
I wouldn’t mind doing it since filmmaking is a hobby of mine, but I just don’t see myself having a [successful] future in it.</p>
<p>This is going to sound silly, but when it comes to transferring out of a CC, I thought all it entailed was just the TAG/IGETC… I didn’t know personal statements, interviews and letters of recommendations were involved. Or is that just for impacted majors only?</p>
<p>I thought they didn’t look at L.o.R.s and there were no interviews, but pretty much just personal statement and TAG/IGETC/Pre-reqs.</p>
<p>My alternate major is biochem/chem (not impacted and ACS certified), but I really wanted to take all the interesting bio classes while having them count towards my actual graduation reqs. Maybe I can stay an extra year or something, oh well, can’t plan that far ahead just yet.</p>
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<p>It is required for UCLA film school.</p>
<p>One thing needs to be clarified!!</p>
<p>UCSD DOES NOT …repeat DOES NOT use the personal statement in its admission decisions. COMPLETION OF PRE-REQS and GPA are the most significant criteria. I’m not sure if they even consider ECs. I cannot remember the link to this, otherwise I would post it. It was a set of powerpoint slides for CCC counselors (FAQs)</p>
<p>However, for UCLA and Berkeley the personal statement is VERY IMPORTANT. UCI also uses the PS (not sure about the other UCs - most, I think do not use it)</p>
<p>Victor, thank you very much for posting that, I almost bumped this thread to get that cleared up since my question wasn’t clearly answered. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when I apply.</p>
<p>I remember reading somewhere on here that it was Cal, UCLA and UCSB that pay attention to the personal statements. I got the impression that all UCs read them, but they’re a very minor factor at all but the three listed above.</p>
<p>I was told only UCSC and Davis didn’t read them by my community college counselor.</p>
<p>“At least 2 individuals review the admissions application, including the personal statement. Consideration is given for the specific factors, both academic and personal, used in the UC San Diego comprehensive review process. Admission is offered to applicants on the basis of their total comprehensive review score.” taken from [UC</a> San Diego Comprehensive Review Admission Process: Freshman Selection, Fall 2010](<a href=“http://www.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/freshmen/eval-process.html]UC”>http://www.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/freshmen/eval-process.html)</p>
<p>It looks like GPA and grades do matter but the essay is also taken into consideration. Which makes sense because if your grandma died last Spring and you had a bad semester… you’d need an essay to talk about that.</p>
<p>Oh and I know it says Freshman Selection, but when you go onto transfer admissions and click on the link for the admissions process, it takes you back there.</p>
<p>WOW!! Thanks victor5555, after I saw that I hunted online for a good 30 minutes to find your source. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/materials/ETS10/ETS10_TranMatrix_final.pdf[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/materials/ETS10/ETS10_TranMatrix_final.pdf</a></p>
<p>On the last page it says “Does the campus use the personal statement in review of transfer
applicants for UC admission?”, “No”.</p>
<p>That takes a bit of the pressure off I guess.</p>
<p>At least you found that.</p>
<p>Although, if you think about it, even if a school does use your essay, this is only a part of your application…</p>