<p>I'm a current UCSC student, looking to transfer to Berkeley for next year. Currently I'm on EAP study-abroad and cannot come into admissions offices in person. From speaking with an admissions officer at Berkeley, it sounds like I have too many units to transfer. They told me the maximum amount is 80 semester or 120 quarter units. Once I finish study-abroad, I'll have 136 credits from a UC. They told me to apply for graduate school. The only problem is that I'm nowhere near graduating.</p>
<p>I've only been going to UC since September '08, studying computer engineering. I've taken a lot of general-ed classes (but not all) and LOTS of summer classes (some just for fun) that seem to be the cause of this problem. I haven't gotten very near completing my pre-requisites for a computer engineering degree.</p>
<p>I asked Berkeley if I can petition to have only <em>some</em> credits transfer. However, the admissions officer at Berkeley said "no way, 120 (quarter units) is the max you can have to be eligible. Period."</p>
<p>That's a bit of a shame, I strongly believe that I can get into Berkeley and would end up with a better education than if I stayed at Santa Cruz. I suppose I could always apply as a freshman, but I've already rung up quite a bill in the last two years at UCSC; I could not afford that.</p>
<p>The admissions officers at Berkeley said they couldn't go over all the issues over the phone, that the best course of action was an in-person interview. However, I'm literally on the other side of the world and can't participate.</p>
<p>Does anybody know any tricks or loopholes to make this happen? I only care about transferring over my general eds and the classes I took for computer engineering. The others can just rot, for all I care.</p>
<p>The max for L&S is 80 units but the cap for College of Engineering is actually 89 semester units.</p>
<p>“In addition to a student’s academic record and personal statement, a limited number of other factors are taken into consideration including: total units earned (students who earn in excess of 89 units at four-year colleges (or in programs combining community college and four-year college credit) may be considered too advanced for admission to the bachelor’s program in engineering); SES status; U.S. citizenship; California Community college attendance; unusual achievement; leadership; community service; employment; and special talent.”</p>
<p>source: <a href=“http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/prospective-students/admissions/transfer-faq.html#decision[/url]”>http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/prospective-students/admissions/transfer-faq.html#decision</a></p>
<p>You can’t ignore units you’ve already taken. There really is no reason for them to admit you into EECS if you’re not even close to completing the prereqs with that high of a unit count already when there are so many other qualified applicants with high GPAs that have finished the prereqs.</p>
<p>Also, once you complete college coursework, you are no longer considered a freshman so you can’t just reapply as a freshman.</p>
<p>Closest thing to a loophole would be the 3/2 program where you do 3 years at SC and 2 years at Berkeley and get a B.A. from SC and B.S. in engineering from Berkeley:
<a href=“Welcome to ASSIST”>Welcome to ASSIST;
<p>Note that EECS is excluded from the program.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, it’s not what I wanted to hear though.</p>
<p>I feel as if I’m being “punished” for taking extra classes, though I’m only just completing my 2nd year! I wish somebody warned me of this situation, I would have saved my money on summer classes and worked instead!</p>
<p>You seem well advised, do you think I will encounter any issues finishing my degree at UCSC considering the high number of units I have? I still anticipate graduating June '12, like I originally intended, but in the case EAP credits don’t transfer to satisfy pre-requisites it may take longer. Will the school pressure me to graduate when I’m unable, will I somehow be demerited?</p>
<p>i don’t know how it works in SC but at berkeley L&S, for single majors you have until your 16th semester or the semester where you reach 130 units (whichever comes later). For double majors its, 17 semesters or the semester you hit 136.</p>
<p>Yeah, unit caps suck.</p>
<p>I worry about unit cap as well. But in my case, things are different. I attended a university abroad like almost 10 years ago. I was there for more than 2 years but I never finished the degree. I was majoring in Japanese, but now I am majoring in engineering. So I am not looking into transfer any of my ancient credits. Attending cc here is a brand new start for me, but I switched my major from art to engineering half way, which causes me to have way more units than I need. By the time of transfer next fall, I will have around 100 cc semester units. So I am loaded with units, and I’m afraid they won’t take me because of that. And I pray and hope that they analyze my situation and avoid letting the past overshadow my future. I will finish all pre-reqs, and some of the lower division classes, and my GPA should be no lower than 3.9 ( now it is 3.98) when I transfer. Most importantly, I have finally found my passion, i know this word sounds corny, but I truly am determined in doing what I do. I didn’t finish my previous degree was because I had no passion for it, I hated it, but forced into it. I wish they see my determination now instead of my overflowing units. I’m finally a happy person because my interest and passion for science and engineering have blossomed. Oh…I need not to manifest my love, but it makes my blood warm just saying these words. I might not get into a Berkeley for many reasons, but nothing deprives me from what I love. </p>
<p>good luck to you, and to myself.</p>
<p>@molokov</p>
<p>Of course you are being punished, are you totally clueless about what has been happening in public higher education in California the last few years. Students at CCCs, CSUs and UCs can not get the courses they need to graduate because the resources are no longer available to offer these classes. You have been taking up space at UCSC merrily piling up units for “personal enrichment” rather than making progress towards earning a degree. California can no longer afford this kind of student in its public colleges and universities. Is it any surprise UC Berkeley does not want students who are not working as hard as they can to get their degrees as fast as possible to make way for new students?</p>
<p>Good point, Lemaitre1, I definitely think that’s the major reason behind unit cap.</p>