Improving Application for Fall 2018

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hey everyone,

First off, congratulations to everyone that got into their schools of choice.

Having been involved in the past admission cycle, but not getting into my school of choice, I am looking for advice and ways to improve my application over what’s left of spring, summer, and fall.

Some background info:

I absolutely love UCLA. I’ve spent a ton of time there and love the feel, so much more than any other campus I’ve been to. I didn’t do well in HS, had a 2.1, and I’d really like to get into a good school of my choice, sort of as a way of proving something to myself. As a result, this fall, I applied only to UCLA. I figured I probably would’t get in, and I didn’t. My essays weren’t good, and my ECs are lacking.

The thought behind this is that I didn’t even want to give myself the option of going somewhere else without applying to UCLA at least twice. Some people have considered this reckless or risky, which it was, but it’s important to me.

I am:
Econ Major
GPA: ~3.898, Major 4.0 [1 B in 5 unit class, likely 1 B in a 3 unit after this semester]
TAP: No
Units completed by spring, Semester/Quarter: 67/100.5, transferrable is probably closer to 60
US resident / CCC student
Likely full pay of tuition, fwiw
CCSF student currently, SMC student next semester
white / latin, explained later

UCLA accepted 2500 fewer students than last year, so it’s getting harder and harder to get accepted, into an already difficult major.

Going forward, I have a few ideas how to improve my application,
this includes:

-Becoming an SI coach / Student Instructor at SMC, for economics.

-Join an Honors fraternity like Phi Theta Kappa

-Volunteer work. I’d like to ideally tutor math for kids, not sure where I could do this, maybe boys and girls club of america?

-Suicide Hotline Volunteering - I’m applying to volunteer for the Didi Hirsch Center for Mental Health suicide hotline. It’s an 80 hour training program followed by 4-5 hours per week.

  • TAP certification. I've made a few calls to various schools, and I'm unfortunately not eligible for TAP certification at SMC. Summer session does not count as a full semester, and 2 semesters are required by time of application, even if you have the units required. I could look for another school in the area that could certify me in spring, some schools have such an agreement with UCLA.

-Possibly change my major to something easier to get into. I worry about the career outlook of my major without grad school, so I chose the Econ major for the best combination of personal interest and career outlook. I am planning on law school [I know the market’s flooded], and have had some people tell me to choose a major with easier grading than UCLA Econ.

~

Sort of related, I am adopted. I just found out, at 21, that I’m half Latin, despite not looking like it at all, which is why I didn’t know. I think this is super cool, and would like to pick up Spanish, and connect more with the culture, being from Los Angeles and all. I really can’t tell if this is contrived, since it might help in applications. Of the people I’ve talked to, some suggest that anything I can do to help, I should. Others have said that it might be contrived, but could still be mutually beneficial. I’m interested in your [mostly] anonymous take.

Thanks to everyone that read this wall of text, any help is greatly appreciated!

2

There is not a single factor that you have shared that suggests that you are not extremely competitive. If you did not complete the IGETC or major requirements, then I am confident that is the reason why you were rejected. Otherwise, those numbers are competitive both generally and for specifically economics.

With that being said, applicants need a 3.8+ to be competitive for UCLA economics, so it is not that surprising that many qualified students are rejected. Race/Ethnicity is irrelevant to UC admissions.It is also unlikely that income plays a role given that the state funds nearly all CSU/UC financial aid. Those ECs are perfectly fine as well. If you are adamant about attending UCLA and working with numbers, then I would recommend switching to mathematics/econ or similar majors in the mathematics department. An economics bachelors will not open a single door that a mathematics degree will not open.

You should not choose an easier major for law school; however, if certain majors are going to cause additional stress and the work is not connected to the type of law that you intend to pursue, then that is the time to reevaluate that major.

3

@TheVisionary

Thanks for the reply

So, when I was proofreading this earlier, I forgot to include those two figures. I am currently taking ~several~ classes to finish IGETC this spring (3 or 4?), and have Calc II in progress right now as well. This is probably a huge factor and why I didn’t get in as you said. My first few semesters were fairly low unit, I was taking around 9-11 units per semester, and have two W’s. Since then, I took 5 units during a winter, around 11 in spring of last year, 8 during summer, 16 during fall, and 18 now, so I think that a more proven track record will help, and an A in calc II will help immensely. Might get another B this semester, and I’m taking one IGETC class P/NP right now, but those seem pretty inconsequential. The most it would harm my GPA is about .01, or leave me at around a 3.87-3.88.

I have definitely considered Math/Econ, despite being explicitly told by 2 professors that I am ‘not a math guy’. I’m okay with that, and maybe okay with challenging their idea, but they are probably right. The one person I knew at UCLA, the guy that would host me at the school, graduated with around a 2.5 in applied math, and was a moderately dedicated student. He said that this sort of GPA is very common and it’s a very difficult program, which might be in conflict with plans for any sort of grad school.

My current math professor walked me through the UCLA math/econ major, went through the course listings with me, and described all of the classes. I’ve had him for two semesters now and he said that this will likely kill my GPA, and doesn’t think it aligns with my goals either.

Now having said ~all of that, I’m still not opposed to it, but something to consider is the Prereq standings I have at the moment.

I’m currently taking Calc II, and have, at most, a summer session, Fall session, and winter session to finish the prereqs, as I don’t want to take a chance with spring classes and having them still be in progress.

I have:
Multivariable
DiffEq
Linear Algebra
Discrete Structures.

So, there are a few combinations in which I could take these classes, they all require Calc II as a prerequisite, which will be done by spring / summer.

Taking multivariable during summer is pretty ill advised, it’s a 5 unit class. I could take any combination at the same time, but I don’t think it’d be a good idea. It’s a total of 14 units. If you had any advice as to the sequence of which I should take these, or if it’s a bad idea given that I’m cutting it close, that’d be great.

4

@TheVisionary

Just typed up a giant post, edited a small bit, and somehow it got deleted.

Anyways, when I proofread my post this morning, I thought I was forgetting something, and that was IGETC and prereqs.

I am currently taking 4 IGETC classes this semester, and one prereq, the most important, Calc II. I think this was a huge factor, aside from lack of ECs / weak essays.

My first few semesters were sort of weak, I was taking 9-11 units, and had two W’s. Usually by 80 or so units, it seems like most people’s earlier mistakes are forgiven. After that, I took 5 units during winter, 11 during spring, 8 units during summer, 16 in fall, and now 18. I’ll probably get a B in one 3 unit class, but I don’t think it’ll bring my GPA down any lower than 3.87 or so.

As for math/econ, I have considered it. My current math professor, I’ve had him for two semesters now, went through the course listing with me, and described the classes. He and another math professor I’ve had have explicitly stated that I’m ‘not a math guy’. He said that this might not be compatible with my current plans or aspirations, that is. Generally I’m inclined to agree with him on the former. If law school is out of the option, assurance, banking, etc are always nice options.

The one guy I know in UCLA applied math said that he has a 2.5, and that his GPA is typical, it’s a difficult program, he works moderately hard.

There’s also a weighing of the prereqs I have to finish for Math/Econ, and how that might fare. Realistically, I can take any of the four prereqs I have left after this semester, as I have finished the prereqs required in the sequence to take any of the four remaining

These classes are:
Multivariable
DiffEq
Discrete Structures
Linear Algebra

This is a total of 14 units and brings me to a nice 81, or 76 if you’re counting some class overlaps.

There are a few combinations that I could take these classes in. I could maybe take one during summer, when multivariable isn’t usually advised. I could take multivariable in the fall, and one other, and the final class during a winter session. I know that the average GPA admitted is somewhere in the ~3.80 area, so I could even afford a B in one of the Prereqs. My concern is that I’m not TAP eligible, and don’t really qualify for an alternate major. Sometimes they consider them, but rarely. I’m wondering if I’m cutting it too close on prereq completion for a Math/Econ major. There is Stats as well. But either way, It’s a decision of comparing the major I am currently fully prepared for, or setting up an easier major that I am not as thoroughly prepared for, at least on paper.

Interested in your take, and thanks for the reply.

5

I applaud your academic turnaround but, encourage you to pick and alternate school and use the TAG framework to guarantee your admission elsewhere while you work on this plan and get on with your life if they don’t take you next time. Econ at LA had a 15% acceptance rate last year. When they are that small, there is a certain amount of luck involved. I hope it breaks your way but, it probably won’t.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major

Next year, TAG UCI or UCD and apply more broadly. No magic happens at UCLA, you can lead a very happy and successful life never going there again.
Good luck.

6

I think you already have a solid plan. I think volunteering is a nice idea, but it may look a lot better if you got an econ-related internship. There are surely tons of opportunity in Century City/Santa Monica/DTLA. An internship might show more dedication to your major and help you look more well-rounded. Finding a summer internship would be ideal, but if you can’t, there are also fall internships that are often part-time. I have heard there is a demand for math majors, so I would consider that more if I were you.

As for TAP certification I would give LACC a shot, it is definitely not as nice as a SMC, but you might be willing to cheat on your beach side CC, with a not so pretty CC.

There might be a chance to talk about the realization of your roots in an essay.

Definitely explore applying to other great schools in CA.

Good luck. I’m also trying to improve my application for this coming fall, but I’m in a different situation. I am a chemical engineering major; I think I have pretty good EC’s (10 month internship, summer research at USC), decent essays, but my GPA is at a 3.0, probably at a 3.4-3.5 by the fall b/c I’m making up two fails. I’d also love to end up at UCLA, but I’m applying to 6 other schools, just in case. Also sorry for the messy post.

7

@erichioro

That’s funny, you’re the second person to suggest that. Unfortunately, I’ve just been flipping stuff on craigslist since high school, it’s more flexible and profitable[tax free?] than a part time job, but I can’t really put it on a resume, so I don’t have any priors. I don’t know what I’d put on my resume/CV/cover letter for an internship other than my GPA, which feels a little weird.

I think it’s a little too close to summer to find a summer internship, and my lease is up at the end of July, so I’ll be moving back to LA from SF during that time.

At this point, I’m wondering how useful TAP certification might be. I prefer the campus of SMC, it feels significantly more social than any other CC, but SMC is known to have a pretty rigorous math department, A’s are usually few and far between.

In the past few days, I called SMC and asked about their supplemental instruction program, which seems to be a great first ‘real’ job, and would be a great stepping stone to an internship, and would probably weigh very favorably for a UC. They offer accounting, math, and english all the time, and Economics if budget allows. Considering massive budget cuts recently, that might not happen. Part of me believes that at this point, three years in, this would be more helpful than TAP certification. I think that a tutoring job for economics displays both an interest in your major and community, so I might say this is roughly equivalent to an internship, what do you say?

As for schools in general, I think I’m an LA lifer. I have family real estate in the area and haven’t found a city I like as much as LA, and I’ve been to almost every major city in the US. The reason I don’t stress applying to other schools is because UCLA is a gold standard, and if I tailor my ECs and grades to UCLA, I can get into pretty much anywhere else outside of Ivies (no thanks), and Berkeley (no thanks). I’d probably end up bitterly accepting admission at LMU, USC, Pepperdine, or Occidental or something if I didn’t get in.

As for your situation, if you could push a 3.6 or so, I think you’d be golden. If I learned anything from the UCLA transfer threads this year, nontraditional students and 3rd / 4th year CC students had a big boost in acceptance, even with lower GPAs. There were plenty of people getting into similarly competitive majors with 3.6’s, and a proven track record with upwards trends. Second and third tries felt like they were getting accepted at higher rates too.

8

@chocstraw I agree, a tutoring job or TA-ship is equivalent to an internship. It might actually be better because it will most likely interfere less with your school life than an internship would. UCLA is also my #1 choice because my older siblings both went there, so it would be nice to say we all graduated from UCLA, but I wouldn’t mind moving anywhere else. I’ve been in LA my entire life, so moving to somewhere likes Santa Cruz would actually be nice. Yeah that’s what I’m aiming for, I don’t think I can get all A’s this semester, but if I’m able to next semester that would bring me up to a 3.6ish and it would really support my upward trend. If the admission gods favor us both, we may even run into each other haha. Good luck.