Transferring from community college into a UC

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hello Everyone,

I am 36-years old, and I am attending a community college in California.

I currently have a 4.0 GPA for transferrable units, and I have completed all my GE courses. I am majoring in math and currently taking precalculus. I will be taking calculus I in the fall and subsequently take all the way up to calc IV. I think I will be getting a B in this class, and I anticipate getting a couple of Bs in my future math class, although hoping for as many As as possible. I did not have a solid foundation in math in HS, as I did not fully apply myself and subsequently dropped out in the 11th grade. My study habits are also terrible, and I work full time and am a single father, which makes it that much more difficult. However, I love math and have found that I have an intuition for it, but it is still challenging, especially during exams as I get extremely anxious. Nevertheless, I plan to improve my study habits and fully apply myself to all future classes.

So, my question is, what would be my chances of getting into a good UC if am able to finish with at least a 3.8 in my community college? Before I had my full-time job I was the treasurer of two clubs at the campus and I was also a writing tutor. I have an excellent letter of recommendation from one of my English teachers in a class in which I finished at the top of my class. I also have and another letter from my geology professsor. I am hoping to get a solid recommendation letter from at least one of my future math professors, and I am almost certain that I can get a really good letter of recommendation from one of the executives at my job (not saure this would help?). . Furthermore, I think i can write a very solid essay and have a good story to tell about myself.

I know its probably premature, but if I finish with a GPA 0f between 3.7 & 4.0 and considering the aformentioned points, would I have a good chance to get into any of the top UC’s or even somewhere like USC?

Thanks in advance!

2

This link should help gauge your chances. UC Transfer GPA admit rate by major and campus:

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major

Best of luck.

3

No UCs that I am aware of accept letters of rec for transfer students. A few have started allowing or requesting for frosh applicants.

If your CC participates in TAP then it gives you an advantage for UCLA. See http://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Adm_tr/ADM_CCO/tap.htm

With your gpa you should qualify for TAG which is an admission guarantee to the UC campuses that participate. See https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/transfer-admission-guarantee-tag.html

Each UC also has an advisor who helps non-traditional students like yourself apply for admission; see https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses-majors/campus-programs-and-support-services/non-traditional-students.html

USC is not part of the UC system, they have their own policies for admission. You can probably get better advice with a post on the USC forum.

Most students at UC attend full time. Part time enrollment may be allowed, but you should check with the campuses you are considering to see the likelihood of it being approved if that is what you intend. Part time enrollment is more common in the CSU system, a number of people in the workforce take one or two classes a semester as they work towards their degree.

4

Congratulations for continuing your strong education!
Going in as a non-traditional student should help you.
Maintain your GPA, continue with your school EC’s and TAG the campuses you hope to attend.

With little ones, you have to concern yourself with their care, so you may want to find a CSU or UC that has child care and after school options. (I mention CSU’s because I know of several who had strong Child Development Care programs, camps, and options for their students).
Good Luck!