My unique situation...

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>So here's my story. I started my education in Fall 2009 at a CC.
These are courses i took and am taking from CC.
Fall 2009 : (14 units)
Engl 100 - English composition (3 units)
Math 182H - Cal 1+2 (5 units)
Arch 290 - History of architecture (3 units)
PSCI 180- Intro to US gov. ( Political science ) (3units)</p>

<p>Spring 2010: (17 units)
Engl 101 - Critical thinking (3 units)
Bio 100 + L : general Biology (4 units)
Phys 185 + L : Physics (Mechanic +wave) (4 units)
SPCM 110 : Speech communication (3 units)
Anth 100 : Intro to Anthropology ( 3 units)</p>

<p>And this semester, Fall 2010, im taking 16 units:
Math 285: Linear algebra + differential equation (4 units)
Phys 280 + L: Physics (Electric + Magnet) ( 4 units)
Chem 180 +L : General Chem ( 5 units).
Psyc 100: intro to Psychology (3 units).</p>

<p>My GPA is currently 3.82 ( since i got As and 2 B(s) for Arch 290 and engl 101, no excuse here except im not a native english speaker. Oh well.. i dont really consider it as an excuse).</p>

<p>What I planned from the very begining was to finish my 2 years in CC with around ~62-63 units, which i have to take 17 units in Spring 2011 ( as my plan, includes Calc 3 + Chem 185 + Phys 285+ a computer science). However, due to personal issue, i think i have to drop my Phys 280 this semester, which push me to 12 units for Fall 2010. And this drop also left a W in my transcript</p>

<p>In order to enroll for a UC, i have to complete 60 units before Fall 2011, which means 17 units next semester. Most UC campus require 3 courses in Physics sequences for Engineering major. I finished one in Spring 2010, I personally think taking 2 Physics classes next semester is kinda hard ( I still can do it if that's the only choice I have). And i really want to transfer in fall 2011.</p>

<p>So here is some of my questions:</p>

<p>a. How can the "W" in my transcript affect my rate of acceptance? Especially in Physics and im majored in Civil Engineering. Which one is better ?( a C in physics 280 or a W in transcript then retake it in Spring 2011. Even if I retake it in Spring 2011, it still shows in my transcript a "W"? And during time UC campuses reply to application , around Jan-Feb-ish, my transcript only have my GPA for Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, which includes that deathly W)</p>

<p>b. Can i transfer to a UC campus (particularly UCLA) while still have 1 Physics class to finish? (I think even if i got accepted, i still have to take some engineering class in UCLA before getting into my major, thinking if I can take my last physics class there after transfered??) Or finish of the 3 physics classes sequence is a MUST ?</p>

<p>c. What are my chances to get into UCLA, and UCSD?</p>

2

<p>Not a native english speaker? That’s not a unique situation, something like 1/3 of my physics/calc/whatever classmates can barely speak english at all (some rely too much on those casio translators IMHO we’re way too nice to them, if you tried to apply to a foreign college and had to use a translator to speak their language you’d be thrown out of admissions I think)…</p>

<p><em>hides</em></p>

<p>However, your GPA is really nice! 3.8-ish! You don’t have an excuse lol, but you don’t need it anyway. </p>

<p>Chances for UCLA? UCSD? It’s all a crap shoot. We have no idea. As long as you’re not doing bio anything, you’ll be fine at UCSD (I don’t think many of their engineering majors are impacted). Seriously, Engineering is a PITA major so they aren’t going to be so harsh on your GPA (well, maybe UCLA and UCB). </p>

<p>However, a lot of UC campuses want <em>THREE</em> physics classes. I dunno about UCLA, but I noticed UCB goes for 2 in some majors (like EECS). At UCLA and UCB, missing a prereq is a BIG strike on your application. </p>

<p>We’re all armchair admissions reps, we don’t know for sure - but a 3.8x, most prereqs, a non-impacted major? Favorable combination there.</p>

3

<p>If you withdraw from Physics 280 (Electo-Magnet) this semester I am virtually certain you will not be allowed to retake it in the Spring along with the third semester of Physics, usually Optics, that is required of physical science and engineering majors. These three courses must be taken consecutively, one at a time. Mechanics is the prerequisite for E&M and E&M is the prerequisite for Optics.</p>

<p>I am also a little unsure about your Calculus prerequisite. You list a course as Calculus 1&2 for a total of 5 units. If Calculus 3 is 4 units, you will have a total of 9 units of Calculus when you finish that course. Most physical science and engineering programs require that you take three semesters of Calculus with each semester counting for 4 units meaning the schools you are applying to are going to expect you to have 12 units of General Calculus.</p>

4

<p>@wwlink: lol, racist much? jk.
3.8 GPA is nothing man, i heard rumour that civil engineering majored applicants to UCB have a 4.0GPA as a must. And my title just to get someone’s attention tho… lol. </p>

<p>@Lemaitre1: my CC has a Cal 1+2 class in 1 semester, which I took and thought its somewhat equivalent to 2 semesters of Calc. And the latter 2 of the 3 Physics sequences @ my cc can be taken at the same time 'cause their prereqs both r Cal1 + Phys 185.</p>

<p>@all: Im not sure i can take 2 of physics classes here and then the last one at UC… sigh. What i heard from UC representatives in transfer fair is that I can finish 1 of those 3 at UC, but my application may stay under pile of other apps.</p>

5

<p>A. W’s don’t matter. You could have 100 and undergraduate admissions won’t care. If you’re applying to graduate school be careful though.</p>

<p>B. I think Berkeley requires that you finish all physics or you won’t be accepted. UCLA I’m not so sure.</p>

<p>For other UCs, people who finished all pre-reqs and meet GPA (or any other cutoff) will be admitted first. And if they have room, they’ll admit people who are missing 1 pre-req, then 2.</p>

<p>And, yes, if you transfer, UCs will give you credit for physics classes you’ve taken and let you finish the last one there.</p>

<p>C. UCLA you’re right on target. You have the average GPA of a Civil Engineer that’s accepted. Admit rate was around 11% I think. UCSD you’ll get in for sure (you’re above 3.5 and your pre-reqs look pretty solid).</p>

6

<p>@eternalquestion: Thank you so much :smiley: … As what you said, if they get all the ones meet pre-reps and then me, im screwed :(…</p>

7

<p>new question: Do i have to take a course in C++ or java programming as pre-req, because last time I checked i assist.org, it says I have to take 1 in C++ programming 2, which i have to take C++ programming 1 first ( this is undoable 'cause times running short). Assume i take 1 more physics class next semester, (still have 1 to take, probly at UC if i got accepted), and Calc3, chem, and Comp. Science, try to stack in some GE classes in winter intersession and summer perhaps? Is this nightmarish plan the only way i can do to higher my chance of acceptance ?</p>

8

<p>? Are you missing three pre-reqs? If so that’s a real problem.</p>

<p>And I think I see a problem with your courses… You’re planning to take Calc 3 next semester? How’d you skip to linear algebra and differential equations before taking calc 3? And I’m also applying as a Civil Engineering major and Davis and Irvine both require a computing class (or was it two?).</p>

<p>So you’re missing, 1 physics, and possibly 1 computer programming class.</p>

<p>LA and Berk don’t accept Summer '11 classes for admission requirements to Fall '11. But you should check out if Davis and Irvine will (I doubt it).</p>

<p>I hate to ruin the party… but even though your GPA is really high, you may not get into any of the UCs (because of missing pre-reqs). But keep up hope.</p>

9

<p>My CC let me take Linear Algebra b4 taking calc 3, they think cal1+2 is enuf prereq for linear algebra… Im not sure about comp programming class tho. In assist.org they say you can either take Java programming or C++ , but the equivalent said u gotta take C++ 2. If that’s the case, then 1 CS class next semester is enough and then i will only miss 1 physics class. If not, then I miss 2 (1 phys + 1 CS). If im lucky enough to persuade my counselor to let me take 2 physics classes in 1 semester ( which i think is allowed, but it will pump my units/sem to 21~22 units/sem, while the limit a student can take is 18units/sems).Im not really sure the counselor will let me do that…</p>

<p>And last time i check for UCI, they said they need 1 year in Calc, 1 year in Chem, 1 year in calc- based phys and writing class. I do believe i can get to that standard until next spring…</p>

10

<p>taking general chem + calc based physics at the same time will hurt. Bad. (At least, at some CCCs like DVC).</p>

11

<p>he’s at Orange Coast College. OCC has agreements with numerous colleges and they count 182H as equivalent to having taken 180(calc1) AND 185(calc1)</p>

<p>I took 182H myself. It’s harder than 185, trust me.</p>

<p>PS, I’m sorry about your B in english 101, you should’ve taken philosophy 150 with Jerry Law, easiest A EVER. Seriously(wait I lied, Accounting 110 was my easiest A ever)</p>