Is it my best bet to stay at UCSC for my sophomore year as well and then apply to transfer to UCB? What are those chances? For reference, I am currently proposed as MCD Bio but heavily considering pursuing an general biology degree, intensive psychology, or cognitive science.
I currently have a GPA of 3.34.
If I were to withdraw from UCSC and start my sophomore year at a CCC instead, would I be guaranteed admission to UCB when I apply to transfer? Would there be a lot of risk in doing this?
Any guidance or advice is greatly appreciated, thank you in advance for any responses to this discussion.
To clarify the major situation – I will not be staying in MCD Bio. I will definitely be switching majors to one of the three listed (general bio, intensive psych, or cog sci) but I have not decided which yet.
If you aspire to transfer to UCB, you’ll need a higher GPA whether it is from UCSC or CC. UCB does not participate in the TAG program with the CC’s, which guarantees UCB admission if a minimum GPA is met. It is probably easier to get higher grades at a CCC than at UCSC. I know of a freshman who withdrew from UCSC, with about a 3.4 GPA, after the Fall Quarter to attend a CC to better the chances of transferring to UCB/UCLA/USC. The person felt it would be easier to get A’s at a CC than at UCSC. It is a choice you have to make. You might want to discuss it with your UCSC counselor or a UCB counselor.
Hi! My boyfriend spent his freshman year at UCSC as well and wanted to transfer to UCSD/UCB so he ended up transferring to our local CCC for his sophomore year and will be transferring in the fall.
UCLA regards transfers from other UCs the same as a CCC so my advice would be different if you were looking at UCLA, but for UCB and other schools your best bet is to transfer to a CCC for sophomore year and finish up IGETC/major prereqs there. There is no guarantee that you’ll get into Berkeley even still, but if you are really looking to transfer elsewhere then going to a CCC is your best best. Berkeley’s priority is CCC transfers > UC transfers > CSU transfers > other schools, so while you’re in the second tier you’d have a better shot applying from a CCC.
I agree with what UCBUSCalum said- you will most likely need a higher GPA to get into Berkeley. You may be able to achieve a higher GPA at your CCC- my boyfriend said his classes (he is a STEM major as well) have a lot more lab work at our CCC but overall finds them easier.
As said above, there is no guarantee of admission from a CCC to Cal.