<p>"The lower your GPA, the more your ECs and essays come into play."</p>
<p>I read this somewhere on the internet for transfer students aiming for Cal and UCLA. Is there any truth to this? Because my GPA is nothing fancy, but I've got some solid ECs.</p>
<p>False. The higher the gpa the better. Varies by major- biz econ or comm studies you need a 4.0 Sometimes with a non impacted major such as anthro or philosophy, you just need around a 3.4 to get in. EC’s and essays rarely come into play. If you are a borderline applicant for such major, or are borderline with another applicant (almost exact same stats) then they sometimes factor in EC’s and essays. Otherwise they don’t. INCREASE YOUR GPA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, TRY TO DO TAP, AND COMPLETE ALMOST ALL IF NOT ALL OF YOUR MAJOR PREREQ CLASSES.</p>
<p>I agree. They only really take that stuff into play when it’s an extremely borderline case. Berkeley called my house when they were doing admissions (i was out studying at the time) but i was a borderline case, and as a result of missing that one opportunity, i was rejected. But that’s only because i was borderline in the first place.</p>
<p>i talked with a UC counselor who said that overall they take GPA into consideration the most. UCs DO admit people with like 2.9 gpas, but they have to have an AMAZING personal story to do so, and only a small, small amount of people are able to do it</p>
<p>What ever happened to UCLA wanting well-rounded students and their holistic review of applications??</p>
<p>I agree with Lakerss. It depends on the major u choosing. Transfer applications arent Freshmen application, UC want to see some conceret evidence to prove that a student can succeed in their four year institution. GPA is the most important except for some very very very competitive major such as Hass school of business in UCB. however, biz econ and communication are all based on the GPA and completeness of ur major-pre.</p>
<p>What if you have a high gpa (3.8 ish) but you have a grade that’s an anomaly (ex. a C in a non-major pre-req)?</p>
<p>If you have a 3.8, I doubt any Cs, Ws, Fs, or whatever else happens to be on your report will be a problem.</p>
<p>Ideally you’d have a 4.0 and very strong ECs. However, if that’s not possible, its much more important to have a strong GPA than strong ECs. If you end up with a mediocre GPA, your ECs, essay, and TAP play a larger role and can make the difference.</p>
<p>Bottom line, get as many A’s as possible, even at the expense of ECs. If you have a 3.2 or something, some incredible ECs can help you, but not as much as having a 3.7 would.</p>
<p>can i just ask - what exactly <em>is</em> the area of a good, strong GPA? i’ve heard arguments that 3.7+, but also more commonly 3.8+.</p>
<p>It depends on your major, and there’s no firm cut off. It’s like asking, “What’s a good salary?”</p>
<p>Short answer: The higher the better. Shoot for a 4.0.</p>