Potential undergraduate transfer from CSUN to UCLA, in need of major guidance

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

Hello all, I’m look for guidance in regards applying to UCLA from CSUN. I’ll be giving a bit of background information too help you understand my situation and what I would need to do to progress from here.

I graduated from Santa Monica College in 2008 with an AA with Honors in Liberal Arts. I begrudgingly followed the advice of my father and went to CSUN for a History BS (So begrudgingly that he actually did the application for CSUN and CSDH. I wanted to do one more summer semester and complete two more classes to also receive a General Science AA but whatever, this was almost nine years ago.)

The problems started immediately. My father took possession of my car (Again, unrelated family issue.) so my primary method of transportation was now gone. I live in West LA and also worked full time in West LA during my entire time at SMC. To get through school and support myself I would have to work full time pay for school. In taking three 300 level courses my schedule was very tight. One of these classes required I needed to go on campus library on days outside off our class days, which I couldn’t seeing as I would be at work and hour away.

I attempted to drop two of the three classes. I got both professors to sign off on it the day before the automatic, no questions asked drop period passed. I went to the head of the history department to sign it off, and he had left campus early (His office hours were listed numerous places and he had left almost a full three hours early.), per what his attendant had said. I was not permitted to leave the paperwork there for him to sign the next day as I would be at work. The attendant told me any drop classed after that Friday would be up the head of the department to sign off on per talking with me. I came by next Tuesday (Tuesday and Thursdays being my only off days from work and the head wasn’t on the campus on weekends to begin with.) and the head wouldn’t even speak to me and denied my request. Looking back I should have taken my request to the Dean of Students or Dean of Professors or anyone higher than high due to the circumstances.

As I was not able to continue to keep my work and academic life balance I stopped attending midway through the semester as at that point me attending would have yielded the same result. This resulted in two Fs and one B (How I received this B I have no idea.)

Here I am are today, having since gone to the Army and come back, returned to work and looking to finish up my degree. I’ve since abandoned the idea of attaining a degree in History and was looking at several (Communications Studies [Yes, I know, one of the most impact majors at UCLA], Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, Business Economics) to choose from.

My problem is making a game plan from taking this from thought to reality. I know I can’t willingly omit CSUN transcripts (As much as I would love to) as it would be academic fraud. If I could find a way to have the classes retroactively withdrawn (Including the B) I would do that but from talking to CSUN it’s not possible. I would love to find a way to expunge these grades, but I don’t think there’s any forgiveness program or policy.

I’m not sure how to approach an application to UCLA with this though. How do I mention this? How do I account for this? How much will it weigh considering it I don’t want to continue with history as a major? I’m making appointments soon to speak with a CSUN counselor and UCLA counselor to plot things out. Does anyone have any advice in helping me figure out this huge mess?

2

This situation is quite unique and complicated. While some can give advice a safe bet would be to consult a personal college admissions counselor. They charge a fee but can help you navigate the process and set you up for success.

3

Sorry for the late response, a career change helped delay the decision, but in that time I decided to switch my major to Economics, Do you have an personal recommendations in regards to a personal college admissions counselor?

4

No need to hire a counselor. According to the UC website

They may be able to suggest ways to be eligible for admission, although UCLA is in such demand that it’s tough for almost anyone to get in so I wouldn’t set your heart as much on UCLA as on getting a 4-year degree from somewhere (which, may of course, end up being UCLA).

Ways to discuss include taking equivalent courses at a CC if the ones you took at CSUN were lower-division, or even at a CSU of your choice thru Open University https://www.calstate.edu/extension/openuniversity/ And if you take college classes now they’d likely consider your more recent academic work more indicative of your potential than grades from many years back, another thing to discuss.

It may also be worth considering private colleges which may have more leeway with regards to non-traditional students and may have better financial aid than publics (depending on your need).

5

I combed through the top link and did not find any direct resources for a non-traditional adviser or any applicable outreach to inquire about one. Would you mind contacting me via private message to assist me with this?

6

It’s gonna be very hard man, it’s UCLA. CSUN classes are supposed to be even easier than community college classes where I live, even with the difficulties I don’t see how those F’s or even the B were possible, and I’m not sure you handled the situation correctly either… you could have tried to email your professor your situation and see about the library hours if something can be done. I’m sorry about the fact you can’t expunge your grades, it has wasted a few years of my life as well to get into graduate school, had to get a string of ALL A’s to boost my science GPA’s, and took away from my youth, but that’s the harsh reality of life… you’ve got an obscene amount of applications for transfer from CC’s and most spots are reserved for CC’s, it’s harder to transfer from CSU’s, because 4 yr uni to 4 yr uni, why would you want to do that? Just for a better prestige? It’s not looking good man, maybe make a new plan, or keep believing in yourself and getting all A’s and working hard, it will benefit you in the end even if you don’t get into UCLA.

7

I’m curious why you want to go to UCLA so badly? Just curious about your personal reasons.

8

Not everything is on the web. Try calling or emailing ucla admissions.

9

make an appointment for a sit down meeting with a transfer admissions counselor at UCLA. Bring your transcript and ask them for your best path forward. It is possible that UCLA isn’t in the cards for your undergrad education - bet we don’t have enough info to advise at that level.

Good luck.