Hello, I am separating from the Navy within 6 months, and I am applying for UC for fall 2016. I will be taking my ACT and SAT within the coming weeks. I would like some serious guidance and advice please.
While I was in the military I accumulated about 32 credits from classes from UMUC and also credits from military schools and training. I tried applying online to UC to find out that I am considered a sophomore level transfer (to me this doesn’t make sense but oh well). This would be fine and dandy if it wasn’t for the fact that by the status of Sophomore transfer I became limited strictly to UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Davis. I was a little bit frustrated to learn this which was only to be compounded further by discovering that the vast majority of majors from the available campuses were also cordoned off to me as a sophomore level transfer. Since this happened- I decided that I would scrap my credits and just apply as a freshman only to find out that I couldn’t do this because as a transferring veteran my joint service transcript would reveal all of my completed credits, and in the name of academic transparency (according to my phone conversation with UC admissions) I was required to apply as a Sophomore level transfer. Now initially I was extremely frustrated by this turn of events until I learned that UC Irvine still has a decent selection of majors that I was interested in (UCLA, and UC Davis have hardly anything available that I am interested in) so I am considering one of a few options in light of these circumstances.
1 apply to a Cal State or Junior college to get my associates and apply as a junior level transfer one year later to an appropriate UC
2. apply to University of Southern California.
3. (what I am considering the most) apply to UC Irvine either as Biology major with a focus on Genetics, or Biomedical engineering with Biophotonics and Micro/Nano engineering as it’s subcategories. I would like the most advice and guidance regarding #3 since I am not one hundred percent familiar with the implications of making a choice between these two degrees. also I would like some advice regarding my minor. UC Irvine has available Japanese Language and Literature or Korean Literature and Culture (It seems like only one of them is a language course) now normally I realize getting a degree in a language is a dead end, but I seriously want to work in Japan or Korea for the rest of my life after I graduate school, is it possible to take a language without necessarily minoring my whole study in it? if that is the case it could free up my minor for something more marketable and useful, so long as I am permitted to study the language as a part of my course work, that would be ideal. I highly appreciate any and all advice, thank you for your time, have a blessed day and I look forward to your correspondence and input.
Hi there, fellow veteran (Army) here (and @MikeSauce is a Marine veteran).
I don’t have much expertise in levels of transfer, i.e. freshman versus sophomore, who allows what, etc.
But I will say take the credits the credits the military says they give you from schooling, training, etc. with a grain of salt. Obviously it depends on your job and training, but the transcript I left the Army with said I had a bunch of credits and it really boiled down to eliminating a PE class.
You said you had the classes from UMUC (University of Maryland University College?). Are those 32 credits semester or quarter?
Wish I had some better advice but either way, best of luck to you.
You can only apply as a junior to the UCs. There are some rare exceptions, but you don’t appear to be fulfilling the ones I know about. Generally, you must always be a junior.
As a junior transfer, you do not have to take the SAT or ACT.
Not all your military units will likely transfer.
Your #1 best bet is to go to a CA community college and do one more year. (Financially, it’s better as well.) Then you can apply to all the UCs. BTW, you do not need a AA degree (your choice) to apply and transfer. You just need 60 semester units by the end of that final spring term.
Yes, what @lindyk8 said. Not sure why I wasn’t comprehending what you were saying, but I second her idea of going to a CA community college and transferring from there.
Would he have an issues though, lindyk8, being that he has credits from a 4 year university?
Additionally, you can access UCI’s Veterans office and they will help to guide you with coursework requirements, as well as with your funding. The CC will also have a vet’s office that you can access for more information.
@briank82 good question. As long as they are lower division I believe it’s fine because it’s the equivalent of one year and will be merged into the CCC 70 semester unit cap.
Plus, University of Maryland has an online degree program. Not sure if those courses are in-class or online. If online, maybe not all are transferable. As Aunt Bea said, OP needs to teach out to the various vet services at each UC to determine his actual units and his status. We can only conjecture.
Sophomore level transfer would be if you have 30-59 semester units by the time of transfer (including in-progress courses during the year you apply). Junior level or upper division transfer would be if you have 60 or more semester units by the time of transfer. Most UCs and CSUs admit only junior level transfers. You can complete the rest of your units, preparation for your major, and general education at a community college – see http://www.assist.org for course equivalencies.
ucbalumnus, yes- that is exactly where I fall under, as a Sophomore level transfer, and only Davis, Irvine and LA will take me with very limited offerings. UCI has the most options out of those three from which I am deciding between Biology and Biomedical engineering. I guess my next question would be since I am pretty much limited to Irvine, is, do UCs allow transfers from other UCs? such as Irvine to Berkeley or something of that nature?
@briank82 I am almost certain they are semester credits (Yes, Maryland). The big issue is that I am just disappointed that my range of options have been so severely limited but I know what is expected of me now and what to do- UCI is my only option besides community college as a sophomore level transfer, so I will hedge my bets there. I just have to decide between Biomedical Engineering or Biology and see how it goes from there.
lindyk8, it is limited but UCI is a good school and since they still offer Biomed engineering and Biology, it is still a very good option for me. Anyways, I assume that I can transfer after one year at UCI to another UC at a junior level, perhaps more specific to the program I actually wanted? for instance UCLA’s Bioengineering?
It’s a much harder route. CCC is a cheaper route and is the preferred method of transferring. UC’s prefer CCC students over students at other UC’s, CSU’s and private colleges.
If you really want to go to another UC you should probably go to a CCC and transfer out of one. That way you have a better shot at going to UCLA’s Bioengineering or similar majors at other schools.
Finish your credits at a CC so that you can have more school options. The UCs like Vets and are accommodating to Vets. Don’t do the UC to UC transfer as there really are no guarantees that you’ll get in where you want to be. The CCs in California are strong and good. You should use them to go where you want to go.
UC to UC, especially into a competitive program, can be very difficult, if not impossible.
Going to a CCC and then transferring into THE program you want (or at least having the opportunity to try to do so) is the best way to go in my opinion. It also gives you a chance to really make a good case for yourself with extra curriculars, getting into TAP, etc.
CCC’s are also much cheaper, though I’m assuming you’ll be using Chapter 33 benefits?
briank82 by chapter 33 I assume you mean post 9/11 and Montgomery? yes, but I am leaning towards post 9/11, both options are available to me right now though.
So as far as CCs go- since I have no idea about them, any recommendations? Thank you for this information guys, it is very illuminating and I learned a lot! The only comment I have to say about going as a junior level transfer from a CC is that I am worried I won’t have enough time in my two years left to study abroad with UC’s study abroad programs, also perhaps certain clubs and sports will be cordoned off to me as a junior level transfer?- is these legitimate concerns or am I blowing hot air?