Rejected by UCLA & UCB

<p>Hi, Guys...</p>

<p>I am wondering and confused what I should do next.... could u guys give me some advices.. sigh*</p>

<p>Here is my circumstance:
-I was studying at CC for a year only... since I started from last spring quarter (spring 07)
-International student
-I applied to UCLA, UCB, UCSD and UCR... accepted by UCSD and UCR
-GPA = 3.89
-Psychology major
-Completed all the major requirements for both UCLA and UCB, and general requirements
-Will complete a total 93 units by the end of this spring (Spring 08)</p>

<p>Honestly, I was very very very...extremely disappointed by the UCLA's decision. I tried my best in order to become an eligible transfer applicant. I spent a year to fulfill all the requirements, joined the student government for 2 quarters (1 quarter member, 1 quarter president for the Communication & Media Board), even took six classes for winter quarter (got 5As and A- in my Engl 1B class)....
I put lot of effort to enhance and strengthen my academic skill, and make sure that I meet the requirement of complete at least 90 units before transfer. </p>

<p>Some of my friends got into UCLA with a bit lower GPA than me.... I called the UCLA admission office few days ago, and they said there is no problem on my EC's and essay, just because it's too competitive for psycho major this year. (But I think they say the same thing to applicants every year).... Is that because I only studied for a year???? sigh... I have no idea...</p>

<p>I am planning to make an appeal....but I don't think I should hope for it.</p>

<p>I am deciding should I go to UCSD or stay at CC for a year more?</p>

<p>1) If I stay at CC, I probably may take the Honors program for UCLA... try my best to maintain or improve my GPA.
2) I will apply again for UCs and some other outstate universities in the coming year. (I think I will have a greater chance than this year, am I right?)
3) I just don't know which decision is the best for me.... =[</p>

<p>Thanks you guys for the kindly response.</p>

<p>I'm just wondering, how can you complete 93 units if you've only been studying at your CC for one year? Are you going to a CA CC?</p>

<p>EDIT:Oh, after you edited your post I seem to understand. These are quarter units, not semester units...</p>

<p>Personally I wouldn't waste another year at CC if you can transfer to UCSD now. I'm not sure if you have a great chance, as far as i understand you completed all the preqs and if you have 93 units already your GPA won't go up that much if you take a few more classes.</p>

<p>Yeah, I'll have to agree with Thomas_... unless you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go to UCB or UCLA, go ahead for another year at community college. But I don't really think it's worth it. Plus, your GPA is pretty high right now. There's always that chance that you won't get accepted next year either (not to be harsh or anything...).</p>

<p>I disagree. If you complete the honors program you will have an excellent shot at UCLA. There is that small concern of going over 70 semester units however.. As long as all your units are cc units you should be fine.. Psychology at UCLA is not as competitive as you may be led to believe. Your international student status is bogging you down. Show them that you really want to go! Take the extra year to really involve yourself with ec's as well. </p>

<p>BTW congrats on completing 60 units in only a year! (the norm is 2-3) That's not an easy feat and should have boosted your chances of acceptance not jeopardized it.</p>

<p>Well, I don't know anything about UCLA and their honor programs, so you're probably right. Don't mind what I'm saying! :)</p>

<p>I'm just saying from my friend's experience... my friend applied to UCLA as a freshmen, got rejected, gave up the other schools he got into to go to a community college, got really really good grades, and was still rejected. It's probably cause he's an econ major (not sure if that's impacted at UCLA or not)... but he does sort of regret spending two years at a community college.</p>

<p>But that's just one experience. Don't know what your preferences are!</p>

<p>Econ is highly impacted. More so than psychology.</p>

<p>woah.... how the hell did you get rejected??? that's ridiculous! Makes me really worry about my 3.76 (psych major as well)... It's odd, because according to the UCLA transfer admissions website, the average GPA admitted for psych majors in 2007 was like 3.65... 3.89 is weeellll above that.... </p>

<p>Id just go to UCSD personally.</p>

<p>One year, you have done all that, and got rejected? That's freaking brutal. </p>

<p>I would seriously consider appealing. Seriously. You actually have a high chance of getting in if you appeal because you have demonstrated real desire to get in. </p>

<p>I honestly don't see another reason of staying in CC for another year. I would suggest doing something else, like extracurricular activities such as gym, traveling, organizations or whatever. Maybe the fact that they see you nerded your way in (no offense), is putting you down. I don't think being an international student is a big deal for them to reject you. </p>

<p>So yeah, I suggest appealing... if it doesn't work well it's up to you, but if I were you, I would probably take light classes and do some other stuff than reapply next year.
Or you could go to UCSD, its not that bad.</p>

<p>I think you got rejected because you're an international student. As an international, you essentially have the same priority as out-of-staters. I have heard people say that getting into UCLA/Berkeley as an OOS student is about the same difficulty as getting into an ivy. That has got to be the reason since your stats are so great. </p>

<p>If I was in your position, I would just stay at CC for another year and become TAP certified for UCLA. If going to UCLA is your dream, what's one more year out of your life to achieve that dream? You're already ahead of the game since you finished your CC stuff so quickly-- it's not like you'll be behind.</p>

<p>Well, as far as I know your priority as an international studying at a CCC is still a little bit higher than for someone who is oos. Don't ask me where I got this from, but I remember some kind of priority list. However, you're still way lower priority than in-state CCC applications or (AFAIK) UC-UC transfers. You definitely got rejected because of your international status.</p>

<p>As I said before, I'd go to UCSD. I have to agree that if you get TAP certified you have a very good shot at UCLA. But is one year of wasted study time really worth the gap between UCSD and UCLA? For me personally, no. If it is for you, go for it and stay at your CC.</p>

<p>Thank you guys... thanks for the thoughtful responses.</p>

<p>huh.... I am still not sure which path should I take... sigh*</p>

<p>Maybe some of you guys are right, I should not spend a year more at CC and then get rejected again. </p>

<p>but thanks for karabear... I agree with you that it's kind of worthy to spend another year to achieve my dream.</p>

<p>If I decide to stay for another year, I certainly have to put more effort into EC's.. join some clubs and the student government.</p>

<p>By the end of this quarter, hopefully I could gain a 3.92 GPA.. and maintain/improve it on the coming year.. </p>

<p>But.... I am really worrying that ... UCLA will reject me again the next year =[[[""" </p>

<p>(since they sometime have no reason to reject applicants, right??)</p>

<p>I heard from my friend that he accepted by UCLA but rejected by UCSD last year. Since he did not take 90 units before transfer, so he had to stay for another year. But then he applied again this year... again.. accpeted by UCLA but rejected by UCSD.... weird, huh?</p>

<p>(some kind of destiny... sigh)</p>

<p>DONT count on the TAP program. trust me. i was extremely disappointed too and I applied as a TAP student. It doesn't do anything for really popular majors they will only review you again for an alternative major if you pick one. sigh yea I'm gonig to UCSD.</p>

<p>I don't know if it helps. But my friend told me that UCLA has a Winter admission. Not sure which departments participate, but you might want to check on that.. they kinda keep it low profile for whatever reason. But it is true.. maybe you don't have to wait a whole year ;)</p>

<p>I don't know if UCLA or UCB has a certain number of seats for international students. I don't think they are going to compare you with other CA residents for psych. It's a gamble, but if your grades are good i don't see why you need to stick around for another year? I mean you finished all of your pre-reqs and GE requirements. I really don't see a point in staying, you should go to UCSD.</p>

<p>Go to UCSD. Why apply to it if you would not go?
1 extra year at CC is not worth the time and effort.</p>