New to this site/a few questions

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>First off, hello everyone. I am new to this site, lots of good information here. I had a few questions.
I plan on transferring from a community college as an Anthropology major in Fall of 2010. Here is my transcript so far.</p>

<pre><code> Fall 2008
</code></pre>

<p>ENGWR 300 College Composition 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
HCD 310 College Success 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
MATH 335 Trig with College Algebra 5.00 0.00 W
ENGLB 71 Reading & Writing Lab 1.00 1.00 CR
TERM GPA : 4.000 TERM TOTALS : 7.00 7.00 24.000
CUM GPA : 4.000 CUM TOTALS : 7.00 7.00 24.000
Good Standing</p>

<pre><code> Spring 2009
</code></pre>

<p>ANTH 300 Physical Anthropology 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
ANTH 301 Physical Anthropology Lab 1.00 1.00 A 4.000
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology 3.00 3.00 B 9.000
ENGWR 302 Adv Comp & Critical Thinking 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
STAT 300 Intro to Probability and Stat 4.00 4.00 A 16.000
TA 300 Intro to the Theatre 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
TERM GPA : 3.824 TERM TOTALS : 17.00 17.00 65.000
CUM GPA : 3.870 CUM TOTALS : 24.00 24.00 89.000
Good Standing
Highest Honors</p>

<pre><code> Summer 2009
</code></pre>

<p>ASTR 300 Intro to Astronomy 3.00
CISC 310 Introduction to CIS 3.00
CUM GPA : 3.870 CUM TOTALS : 24.00 24.00 89.000</p>

<pre><code> Fall 2009
</code></pre>

<p>ANTH 320 Intro Archaelogy Wrld Prehist 3.00
ANTH 330 Magic/Witchcraft/Religion 3.00
ART 300 Elementary Drawing and Comp 3.00
CMED 305 Film History 3.00
HIST 307 History of World Civil to 1500 3.00</p>

<p>What do you think so far? I know my gpa is pretty good. Problem is, I have a B in an Anthropology class. Is that going to spell doom for me when I want to major in Anthro? Do you think I have a shot at transferring to Cal or UCLA?</p>

<p>I know colleges like to look at extracurricular. I am working right now, but only as a summer job. I also worked during the Fall 2008 semester. I am also planning on trying out for our tennis team in Spring of 2010. That is the first semester that our school has sports. Is that too late for colleges to consider because its during the spring and I have to apply during the fall.</p>

<p>Another random question: If you look at my transcript under the Spring 2009 section, it says "highest honors." Does that mean anything?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help and awesome site.</p>

2

<p>“Highest Honors” is probably just your CCC’s version of Dean’s List or some other kind award given out by your CCC. It doesn’t mean much, but you can go ahead and put it on your application under the awards section. </p>

<p>If you’re applying as an anthropology major with a 3.87 GPA I would bet a large amount of money that you will get into UCLA or Berkeley assuming that you meet the admission requirements and write halfway coherent essays. Just look at the acceptance stats for your major on stat finder. You don’t really need extracurriculars.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, that’s reassuring. I was reading a little bit about the TAP program and it looks like my school, Folsom Lake Community College, doesn’t offer it. Also, I know “strength of coursework” is also looked at. Do you think my schedule looks too easy? They are all UC transferable classes but I’m not taking any intense math classes. I know its probably ok. I’m just being overly stressed because I really really want to get into a good school.</p>

4

<p>I didn’t do TAP, and the hardest math course I took was Stats. Don’t stress.</p>

5

<p>What school are you going to and what major?
What’s stat finder?</p>

6

<p>Berkeley and Poli Sci.</p>

<p>Stat Finder just shows admission stats from earlier years. Just mark which data you want to see. [University</a> of California: StatFinder](<a href=“http://statfinder.ucop.edu/statfinder/default.aspx]University”>http://statfinder.ucop.edu/statfinder/default.aspx)</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the link. I hope the numbers don’t change too drastically due to budget cuts and the like between 2008 and 2010.</p>

8

<p>Lets say, hypothetically of course, that I got into both UCB and UCLA. Which school has a better Anthropology program? Which school is better if I want to go to grad school. Is there a website that ranks schools based on major?</p>

9

<p>Just go look at the catalog for the courses at each school. It should list the requirements for each major, give an outline of the program, and give a description of each course. </p>

<p>Here’s Berkeley’s: [General</a> Catalog - Anthropology](<a href=“http://sis.berkeley.edu/catalog/gcc_view_req?p_dept_cd=ANTHRO]General”>http://sis.berkeley.edu/catalog/gcc_view_req?p_dept_cd=ANTHRO)</p>

<p>The link to the course descriptions is on that page. I think Berkeley is pretty good for this major, but UCLA is probably pretty good too.</p>

10

<p>Berkeley has one of the top anthropology departments in the country…I would say that UCLA’s department is very good. With that said, as an undergrad the difference between UCB and UCLA anthro is negligible. What sub-discipline are looking to focus on? UCB and UCLA have different strengths and this might influence your decision.</p>

11

<p>I have not yet decided my sub discipline. I am leaning towards physical or archeology, but I am not dead set on those two. I basically love the everything there is about the subject. I could see myself studying any sub discipline. Which schools are better in which specific areas? Friends and family have also told me that UCB and UCLA are both really good the difference is, like you said, “negligible.”</p>

12

<p>What I need to do in order to get there.</p>

<ol>
<li>Complete 60 transferable units</li>
<li>Take the classes that assist.org tells me to take before I transfer</li>
<li>Complete IGETC</li>
<li>Maintain GPA</li>
<li>Essays? I don’t really have any info on this. Can I have help here?</li>
<li>Apply in November</li>
<li>Am I missing anything?</li>
</ol>

13

<p>Nah, you have it Ejdeha. Just do those 6 things. I think there are some posts on here about essays, and what people wrote about along with tips. Also, talk to a teacher or counselor if you need further help with your essay.</p>

14

<p>Thanks Dem Bones, you’ve helped out a lot.</p>

<p>[University</a> of California - Admissions](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/how_apply/personal_statement.html#fall08]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/how_apply/personal_statement.html#fall08)
1,000 word between two essays is not very much work at all. I already have a good idea about what I want to write for my second prompt, which will be the longer one. The first prompt is harder because I have not done any experience in the field. I basically have to talk about why I love anthro so much.</p>