<p>So I go to a certain college in Cambridge, MA, but I love Berkeley and always encourage people to apply. I have a good friend who really wanted to go there after high school but didn't end up getting in. She picked UCSB over NYU and was there this semester. However, she doesn't enjoy the constant partying scene of UCSB at all and wants to go to Berkeley if possible. We talked about her going to Berkeley CC for a year and then transferring to Berkeley. Is that possible after a year at a CC? How strong of an applicant does one have to be coming out of CC? Does Berkeley hold a certain number of spots for Berkeley CC students like UCLA does for Los Angeles CC?</p>
<p>Any advice would be helpful.</p>
<p>No, Berkeley does not "hold spots" for applicants from any specific CC. One needs 60 semester units by the time he plans on entering Berkeley to apply. A 3.7 in CC would put on in a good position to get into most Berkeley departments.</p>
<p>Your UCSB friend needs to drop out and start at a CC if they want to have any chance at getting into Cal</p>
<p>She can't drop out until after this year.</p>
<p><em>raises hand</em></p>
<p>1 year at UCSC (3.2), 1 year at CC (3.7), transferred to Berkeley.</p>
<p>Definitely possible.</p>
<p>(No TAP program for Berkeley -- you're in purely on merit. On the plus side, the admit rate is higher for transfers, especially CCC transfers, than freshmen.)</p>
<p>Also important: is she a CA resident? Attendance at CA colleges doesn't do it by itself and state residency will make a HUGE difference in her chances.</p>
<p>Yes, she is. Thanks for the stats.</p>