I will be applying to transfer to a UCLA in the Fall of 2016. I am currently a CSU student who has been looking through so many CSU to UC transfer threads and they are all so different that they are not even helpful. So I created this thread for students like myself who have questions about transferring to UCLA from a CSU.
Before I ask my questions, I would like for people to not post things like, “You should’ve gone to a CCC or switch to a CCC for you second year.” If I really could I would have done by I cannot for family reasons. So just post questions and answers to the questions. It would really be helpful and greatly appreciated to whoever does respond.
Questions:
- When calculating Overall GPA does UCLA only use the classes that are UC-Transferable courses or use all the classes you took to calculate your Overall GPA?
- Does UCLA use AP credit to help give units to those who need some to satisfy the 60 semester unit minimum?
- Does UCLA hold a certain amount of spots for CSU transfer students?
- Which types of courses are more likely to transfer to UCLA, since CSU schools do not have articulations agreements with UCs.
- Any advice from successful CSU to UC transfers?
Hey! I got accepted to UCLA from SDSU this year.
1)Only transferable
2) Yes I believe if you have AP credit it can only help you, like bumping you to the limit, might wanna make sure on this one though.
3) I don’t think so
4) For general eds, take classes that you think would transfer and are the same everywhere pretty much. Like intro to psych etc. Not a really specific GE. But other than that, complete the prerequisite courses that are listed on assist.org for your major.
5) If you complete all the Prereqs, have a good GPA, and good personal statements, you have a good chance of getting in. Keep in mind though that you are lower priority so even if you do all of the above, you’re not guaranteed to get in.
People told me the same thing about trying to transfer to a UC from a CSU. You will be held to a more strict standard, but there are four year students who are accepted by the top UCs every year and there is no reason why you or anyone else in this thread can’t be one of them.
- Overall + Transferable Major GPA. Why? Because UC GPA does not apply to 4 years as it does to CC students. Four year students can only have about 2-3 untransferable courses before they reach the unit cap. CC students can have unlimited lower division units and have a big difference in Overall v. UC GPA as a result. For non-CC sutdents, we are talking about a maximum difference of less than 0.1 when compared to the overall GPA, so it is pretty insignificant. It would be a waste of an admissions officer's time unless the student failed some courses or something drastic.
- AP credit does count towards the 60 unit minimum. Just make sure to check each individual UC to see how much they offer for each score.
- No. In fact, UCLA is the least forgiving of CSU applicants. I was accepted into an impacted major with a 3.7, so it is still possible. It is just the hardest out of the top UCs to break into.
- Introductory, basic general education courses. The course number does not matter for four year students. Upper division and lower division means different things at different schools so don't worry about it. Just stick to courses with common names and descriptions. UC Berkeley was kind enough to specify which English courses satisfy the reading and comp requirement for CSU students. The link is below. These courses will satisfy the English requirement for ALL other UCs as well.
http://admissions.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/R_C_CSU_2014.pdf
- Spend a lot of time on the essay for the top UCs. Provide high quality writing. Reach out to family and friends if you are not as confident in your ability. Four year applicants can't simply prove that they are capable. You have to make these UCs actually want you specifically because you are already attending a full undergrad institution. Focus on your passions more than anything. Get ECs. They do not have to be mind blowing. At least get a few volunteer hours. You do not want to submit an application that relies on filler, but you want to submit a full application.
Most importantly,
Make a degree plan for the school that you are currently attending. What classes would you take if you stayed? What associations would you join? What awards would you love to get at gradation? Do this so that you make peace with where you are. You have to fight the feeling that rejection will be life-ending, or that the next few years will be horrible if you are not at UC-Whatever. You have been fine where you are. You will be fine where you are. You will still succeed.
THANK YOU guys very much I have been frustrated over these questions for so long. Great advice I would certainly use it!
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/admissions-source-school
Play around with that tool a bit and you’ll see that a few hundred students apply to UCLA as a transfer from CSUs each year. 30-40 or so are admitted. The admission % from CSUs isn’t all that different that it is from CCs.
If you want to give it a shot, there is no harm in throwing your hat in the ring. Just understand, they may not take you and have a viable alternate (like sticking with your current CSU) lined up.
Thank you so much NCalRent. This was a big help.
I have one more question for anyone who knows the answer:
Would having all my prerequisites (both major and minimum) done by the fall before I transfer help my chances of getting into UCLA?
I came into CSUN with 21 credits, after this summer i will have 56 units.
Current GPA: 3.7 (but most likely getting straight A’s this semester and over the summer)
Major: Political Science
Extracurriculars: Intramural Basketball, Volunteering/Internship at a Law firm, soon to join Model UN, work 5 days a week at a restaurant, PSSA and Pre-law society member
I want to transfer to UCSB or UCI, but i’m concerned about the unit cap because i wont be able to transfer until Fall 2017. However, by then if i maintain my progress (15 units sem), i’ll have 85 units before Fall 2017.
ANY TRANSFER ADVICE???
@sxvcal How did you get the 21 units?