Out-of-state UC transfer

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hey Everyone,

I am an international student (college sophomore) who is currently enrolled in a 4 year University in the US (Virginia Tech). I applied to both UCLA and UC Berkley as a transfer for the fall semester of 2018.

My academic background:
Major: Electrical Engineering
GPA: 3.7
In major GPA: 3.92
My first semester GPA wasn’t excellent (3.55), but I managed to raise my GPA to a (3.7) while taking harder classes. I took all the prerequisite classes, and I have relatively good extracurricular activities.

First semester: 3.55 (12 credits)
Second semester: 3.7 (16 credits)
Third semester: 3.8 (19 credits)

Extracurricular activities:

  • Enrolled in one of the honors society
  • Part of a engineering design project where we are building an autonomous sailboat.
  • Took part in wireless charging workshops
  • Had decent volunteer experience

After some research I’ve found out that Out-of-state UC transfer was extremely competitive especially as an engineering major. The average GPA is crazy (around 3.9) but most of the transfer admits are from community colleges (where getting a high GPA is easier).

so, what are my chances ?

Do I have no chance what so ever transferring to UC Berkeley or UCLA?

I would like to know if anyone here has successfully transferred to one of these UCs as an Out-of-state student and if I stand a chance for an admission as an Out-of-state student.

Thanks guys!!

2

OOS transfers get the lowest priority in admission, regardless of stats. You will also be full pay.

3

I’m aware of that, does it mean that I “compete” only against OOS applicants ?

4

@Fayjay I don’t have anything to back me up, but I think you’re competing with everyone who’s not a CCC transfer. UC and CSU/Other 4 year in states are with you, too, especially for Berkeley and UCLA I’d imagine. You will be competing against other OOS applicants, but I don’t think there’s any special places for them.

5

I believe you’d be competing against ALL UC transfers. However, priority goes like this: CCC->UC-UC->CSU->OOS-CCs->OOS colleges

6

I’m not sure that breakdown above is 100% accurate, and the lowest priority is actually internationals who do not go through a CCC but apply directly from an international institution.

That said, Berkeley takes very few OOSs in Engineering. As I recall last year was one or two and I believe before that for a few years, almost all came from a CCC. (Recalling only from memory.) I don’t know the situation for UCLA and Engineering.

Bottom line, I think it’s tough but not impossible.