Transfer from UCSD to UCI?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hello, back in March, 2017 college decisions came in. I was admitted to UCI with CHP (Campuswide Honors Program), and UCSD with no honors.
In the end, I decided to naively choose UCSD since it has a better math ranking and in general has a reputation as a “better” school than UCI, without giving much consideration for other factors such as everyday life, setting, and UCI’s CHP massive perks.
I read up on UCI’s CHP perks (http://honors.uci.edu/chp-advantage/) this summer, and I felt that I should’ve gone to UCI for so many reasons, especially for CHP’s priority enrollment. I’m tearing my hair out right now at SD trying to get all my classes sorted due to unfortunate class registration circumstances and really do not like the setting. Also, my major is Math-CS, and would really like pure CS. The chances of transferring into CS at SD is near impossible due to the new lottery system, and getting CS classes at SD without priority as a CS major or honors student is very tough as well. I’m sure I can make it into UCI CS with my stats (2010 SAT - 610CR 740M 660W; 4.3W and 3.8 UNW UC GPA).

I really want to get out of here as soon as possible, and I think applying as a 2nd year transfer right now before Nov 30, 2017 is viable. I already have 40 UC quarter units from AP Exams, so I think I can transfer as a junior-level student after my first year which requires a minimum of 90 quarter units (http://www.admissions.uci.edu/apply/transfer/index.php).
40units + (4quarters)*(16units/quarter) = 102quarter units

I guess these are my questions:

  • Is my plan to transfer as a 2nd-year or earlier with junior standing a practical idea?
  • Chances I’ll get accepted? I mean, I think I have the qualifications for UCI CS, but I know there are A LOT of CC transfers who get priority in admissions.
  • Any reason that I should stay at SD as Math-CS?
  • Any additional information would be fantastic.

Edit: organization + some minor details

2

Additional questions:

  • Worth trying for a sophomore transfer (less than 90 quarter units) for Spring 2018? I mean, I can, but I’m not sure since I want to major in CS.
  • Are there any statistics on the admission rates/profiles for transferring from another 4-year uni?
3

There are 3 quarters in the standard UC academic year. The 4th quarter is summer but that doesn’t count towards transfer; you need the 90 units by the end of spring 2018 in order to transfer as a junior in fall 2018.

4

Let’s assume that you are a California resident. For Fall 2016, UCI got 1,553 transfer applications from CA residents that were not at CA community colleges, so presumably at 4-year schools. They accepted 361 of those, for a transfer acceptance rate of 23%. Have not seen numbers for Fall 2017.

Yup, that’s how the system works. UCI admitted a total of 7,703 CA resident transfers in Fall 2017. Of those, 7,342 (or 95%) were from CCCs, as opposed to the 361 that were not. The transfer acceptance rate for CA residents from CCCs was 50%.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfer-admissions-summary

5

“There are 3 quarters in the standard UC academic year. The 4th quarter is summer but that doesn’t count towards transfer; you need the 90 units by the end of spring 2018 in order to transfer as a junior in fall 2018.”

Ok. That’ll be 88 units. I can take two seminar classes I think to get 90. I’ll see academic advising, thanks.

“Let’s assume that you are a California resident. For Fall 2016, UCI got 1,553 transfer applications from CA residents that were not at CA community colleges, so presumably at 4-year schools. They accepted 361 of those, for a transfer acceptance rate of 23%. Have not seen numbers for Fall 2017.”
Thanks for this. I think I have a reasonable shot at getting in since I’m transferring from UCSD. I can’t imagine a lot of people “downgrade”. Or maybe there are, idk.