<p>Hi, guys. I am a senior who will graduate this June. I am an international student as well. I kinda messed up high school (SAT: 1800, GPA: 3.1). With these grades, I can get into okay-ish places. But, I have always dreamed of attending UC Berkeley or UCLA. So, I was wondering what my chances will be like if I attend a California CC; given that my GPA, ECs, work experience etc are on point. Is it going to be significantly harder for international students? Please don't bash on me, guys. I don't know much except for the fact that CC can be a great "second chance" for some people. Costs don't matter. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>CC is a fantastic option!! Since money is not an issue, I’d look into CCs that will have the classes you need to transfer. I’m partial to SMC, but that’s only because I go there :)</p>
<p>What is your major?</p>
<p>Its not significantly harder for international students, since you already seems to have a solid grasp of english. However, it will take more dedication and hard work than highschool to earn the grades necessary to transfer to these top UCs. </p>
<p>We can’t tell you anything about your chances because you don’t have any CC coursework done at all. None of your HS crap will matter if you decide to go the CC and transfer route.</p>
<p>Nah UCs are broke and are looking for internationals to fill the pay gap. If you come to CC and get a 3.8+ GPA then you will have a great chance of getting into UCLA or Berkeley. </p>
<p>Yes, I know I have to take the proper classes. I’ve already been on assist.org and looked at the class requirements. I also looked at a few of the TAP for UCLA as well. I flunked high school, but I am very motivated now and I am willing to work hard. </p>
<p>And, I am looking at SMC too!!</p>
<p>Oh, and I am planning to enroll in the College of Letters and Science. Either computer science or economics. Not sure yet.</p>
<p>Santa Monica College covers UCLA CS pretty well (missing one course, which can be taken at LA Valley), but does not have any of the courses for Berkeley CS.</p>
<p>A combination of Diablo Valley College and Laney College offers better coverage of Berkeley CS and decent coverage of UCLA CS, according to <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>http://www.assist.org</a> .</p>
<p>Preparation for economics should not be too hard to find, although if your goal is PhD in economics, then you want to also take the math courses recommended for math majors before transfer.</p>
<p>^ Yep.</p>
<p>Isn’t it also beneficial to be at a CC where you can be a part of the TAP? Also is it possible to be at a CC where I can be part of the TAP for both UCLA and Cal?</p>
<p>Yes, and yes. You might just need to go through a list of both TAP schools.</p>
<p>Here is UCLA’s <a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/ADM_CCO/tap.htm#TAP”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/ADM_CCO/tap.htm#TAP</a></p>
<p>I just did go through the lists for both and SMC is in both. So can I sign up for TAP for both Berkeley and UCLA at SMC? Like is that possible? So according to what ucbalumnus said, its better to do prereqs at a place where they cover the material well for the unis. Yes? The thing with me is I don’t have a preference between UCLA or Cal, like I want to try my best for both of them. So, ideally, a CC where I can get a solid coverage of materials for both UCLA and Cal would be best. Is that possible?</p>
<p>Also, since I am not sure yet what I want to do (Econ or CS), is it possible to take classes for both CS and Econ or would that be too much?</p>
<p>Oh and btw, I am sorry for asking any noob-ish questions as I am still fairly new to this transfer process.</p>
<p>Berkeley TAP is for underprivileged [poor] college students.
UCLA TAP is for anyone.</p>
<p>UCLA TAP is only for the College of L&S.
So if you really want to do Economics at UCLA (or Econ in general) than UCLA TAP would HELP GREATLY.
Else for CS it doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>Hmm, I see.</p>
<p>But, why is it that at Berkeley, CS is under L&S and at UCLA it isn’t?
<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/major/majorlist.html</a> - Berkeley
<a href=“https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Majors/lsmajor.htm”>https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Majors/lsmajor.htm</a> - UCLA</p>
<p>Questions are good, much better than not asking and being wrong.</p>
<p>Bomer is correct, Berkeley TAP is not open for everyone like UCLA’s TAP. I’d email or call to find out the requirements, but I think it is something like: low income OR first generation OR minority student.</p>
<p>I’d take introductory classes for both and see which you prefer.</p>
<p>You’ll find a lot of that happening, where one UC has a major in a specific category, or requires a ton of math, or some random class that other UCs don’t want. It is super important to read and understand the ASSIST page so that you don’t miss anything.</p>
<p>Also, SMC is an excellent school! It also has a ton of international students with counselors and a center just for them! I’d advise you to look over this <a href=“http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/Scholars/Pages/Applying.aspx”>http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/Scholars/Pages/Applying.aspx</a> , which is the SMC TAP program. Don’t worry about the Jan 7 deadline, that’s only for Winter/Spring 2015. You can apply in the late Spring/Summer for Fall 2015.</p>
<p>International student page: <a href=“http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx”>http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx</a></p>
<p>Sorry this is super long, but I have one last piece of advice. Take the math and english assessment seriously! It makes no sense to have to start in math or english classes that are below your level and catch up!!</p>
<p>Okay so I looked through the first link you gave me and I just want to clarify a few things.</p>
<p>1) So students interested in transfer are basically going to enroll in the “Scholars Program” right?</p>
<p>2) And minimum entry requirements are 3.0 GPA? </p>
<p>3) “International students with foreign academic records must complete 12 college units at a U.S. institution before applying.” I am not sure what this means. Could you please briefly explain that?</p>
<p>4) In my school, I am currently doing the IB diploma and I have a 6 out of 7 in English (basically an A or A-). Will they accept that for proof of efficiency in English?</p>
<p>5) And lastly, I am not fully sure what you mean by the math and english assessment (I checked out both of the links).</p>
<p>Oh and also, I just wanted to thank you and everyone else who commented on this post for all the help. I actually never expected so much help. So yeah, thank you, I really appreciate it. And I, again, apologize for constantly bombarding you with questions.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No, you do not have to be in the Scholars program to transfer, but you must be in it to be TAP certified for UCLA.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes</p></li>
<li><p>It means that you will apply after completing 12 units, which is about one semester. So you will apply in the end of your first Fall semester.</p></li>
<li><p>I would email the program to clarify, since I am not sure.</p></li>
<li><p><a href=“http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/AssessmentCenter/Pages/About-Assessment.aspx”>http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/AssessmentCenter/Pages/About-Assessment.aspx</a> is the website. All SMC students need to take a math and English assessment. However, if IB scores can act like AP scores, then you might not need to take it. I’d email either a international counselor or a scholars counselor to find out more. </p></li>
</ol>
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<p>Yes, more so at Berkeley, where you can do CS in L&S where economics also is. Follow the basic plan for taking the major prep and breadth/IGETC courses for a CS major; in your social studies breadth courses, take the introductory economics course(s). The other requirements for economics are typically math courses which should mostly overlap with the math courses for CS. It is possible that a statistics course is needed in addition.</p>
<p>Oh so after completing 12 units at SMC or any other CC that offers TAP, I will be allowed to apply to the TAP? And the 3.0 GPA, is that the high school GPA or the GPA of the first 12 units at CC? </p>
<p>And, I will make sure to email them regarding the English issue. Thanks.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I just saw your comment, as I didn’t realize that the thread moved over to the second page. Anyways, yes, that is what i was thinking, that the math courses should overlap with each other. Do you know if it will help if I show them that I took a two year higher level Economics course (as one of my subjects) in high school and got good grades?</p>
<p>You need 60 units to apply for transfer to a UC. </p>
<p>also you need much higher than a 3.0 to get UCLA Econ even with TAP.</p>