Transferring from community college to UCLA/Berkeley?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm going to make this as simple and straightforward as I can. I will be finishing up my 1st year at a California (Orange County) community college after this spring semester. I had trouble getting into classes but have really tried to catch on, and have been taking intersession (3 week classes) and 18 units for this upcoming Spring.
So far I have accumulated 19 credits but by the end of spring I will have accumulated 37.5 credits. </p>

<p>The following is a copy of my ongoing transcript.....</p>

<p>Sp 2013
HIST A161H World History 1 Honors A 3<br>
PSCI A101 Survey of Current Issues B 3<br>
OCC Su 2013
SPAN A180 Elementary Spanish 1 A 5 </p>

<p>Fa 2013
PSCI A180H American Government Honors B 3<br>
PSCI A185 Comparative Politics A 3<br>
THEA A141 Theatre Repertory A 2 </p>

<p>Sp 2014 (Haven't taken these yet, starting January 29th)
ANTH A100 Cultural Anthropology -- 3<br>
BIOL A100H Principles of Biology Honors -- 4<br>
ENGL A100 Freshman Composition -- 3<br>
KIN A155 Bowling -- 1.5
MATH A010 Elementary Algebra -- 4<br>
SOC A100 Introduction to Sociology -- 3<br>
My GPA as of right now if 3.68 and I am working on getting it up. I feel like I can do that, with a bit more hard work.</p>

<p>I feel like the classes I am taking lack rigor, and I am having trouble filling that gap, because when I look at other classes that are 'harder' they are out of major's spectrum. For reference, my major is Political Science.</p>

<p>I also still have to take the following classes to graduate:
history 180h western civilization honors- 3 units
history 185h western civilization honors 3 units
political science188 intro to political theory - 3 units
history american history a170h - 3 units
history american history pt 2 a175h- 3 units
history a145 history of mexico - 3 units
math20 plane geometry - 4 units
math30 intermediate algebra - 4 units
statistics - 3 units
english a101h - 4 units</p>

<hr>

<p>Total of 33 more credits if all are taken.</p>

<p>So I am freaking out/worried that I won't be able to take them all before the end of Spring 2015 at the pace I am going. I also have to keep in mind that wait listing and the fact that some classes may not be available that upcoming semester. </p>

<p>-Do you think I can organize my classes/take them all before Spring 2015? I would be forever grateful if you could specify a way I could organize my classes efficiently per semester. (e.g take these ___ classes next fall and these ___ next spring to add convenience)
-Do my classes lack rigor, if so what areas? What classes are recommended for my major? (btw, I had to take Bowling to fulfill Kinesiology)
-How do I need to change my schedule/gpa (grades) to have more of a chance of getting into/standing out to UCLA/Berkeley?</p>

<p>If you answer this question, please note that you are helping a stressed out/flustered college student who is really afraid of not graduating on time. The counselors at school have not been helpful at all! So I am forever grateful for any advice you guys may have!!</p>

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3

<p>Make sure you utilize Assist.org and make sure you know all the classes you need to take. If it were me, I’d study for the math placement exam myself and retake with the goal of either going into Interm. Algebra in the summer or straight into Stats. </p>

<p>If possible, don’t even bother with the non-transferable courses. IMO and experience, less classes = easier to utilize time, which results in a higher GPA. If not, you might as well take these non-transferable classes as P/F. </p>

<p>It looks like you have 19 units completed so far. You should aim for at least 30 UC transferable units by the end of your summer 2014 session so you’re in good shape. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about the rigor of your classes. I also was in the honors program and took some honors courses. Was pointless IMO. Honestly, I’m mad they squeezed 80 bucks out of me for it. Haha. I’d opt for signing up for certain favorite professors or interesting subjects over any perceived rigor. Not to say taking honors courses isn’t bad or anything… </p>

<p>You can certainly transfer in time. Crash courses if need be. Consider enrolling in other nearby JC’s. Etc. etc. </p>

<p>Are all of those aforementioned courses pre-reqs for your major? I’d recommend taking a couple in the summer. Maybe that English and History course. My first class ever at JC was an English course over summer. I liked the pace. </p>

<p>“-Do my classes lack rigor, if so what areas? What classes are recommended for my major?”
No. Take PoliSci classes. Def the one’s listed on Assist. </p>

<p>“How do I need to change my schedule/gpa (grades) to have more of a chance of getting into/standing out to UCLA/Berkeley?”
Aim for all A’s from here on out. Your best chance at getting into UCB/UCLA is completion of pre-reqs and a high GPA. Start your application early (personal statements) and don’t procrastinate.</p>

<p>With a 3.7, you’re certainly in the right direction.</p>

4

<p>Regarding your problem getting classes, you should consider enrolling in the other colleges that are part of the Coast Community College District. These are Orange Coast and Coastline Community Colleges. They’re all in the same area and share the same administrative services so they should be easy to deal with.</p>

5

<p>I can tell you’re at OCC. Which is really overcrowded and can be difficult to get classes, I understand. But so far you’re doing pretty good, just complete your Math and English now. Because a lot of students leave it to the last minute. </p>

<p>I’m not a fan of the Honors Program. I agree with Snorlaz, it was pretty unnecessary unless you’re dying to get into UCLA. I’m saying this because getting "B"s in honor classes looks the same as getting a “B” in a regular college course. Remember, this isn’t high school. So don’t stress so much on completing these classes with “rigor”.</p>

<p>I think I can help you out since I’m a Political Science major too! And I applied to UCLA and Berkeley this fall. I don’t understand why you’re planning on taking a lot of history classes? Berkeley only requires ONE. Take American history, or whatever you’re comfortable with that you can get an “A” in. You need to take Statistics!! UCLA does not accept OCC’s course on Statistics; but they do accept GWU and SAC (I took mine here). </p>

<p>You have a good GPA, so far. Work on getting that higher. And focus on completing your Math, English, and Prereqs as soon as possible.</p>

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<p>Take some over the summer/winter intermissions and you should be alright :)</p>

7

<p>Snorlaz: Thank you so much for the straightforward advice. I will most definitely look into taking an English class this summer if there are any open! I found your suggestion of having at least 30 credits completed by the end of summer quite helpful. I will aim for something like that. </p>

<p>I also really appreciate your insight on what my projected GPA should be…and how to have a better chance of getting into UCLA or UCB.</p>

<p>Again, thank you!!! :)</p>

8

<p>Ocnative: Yes, I am at OCC! :slight_smile: It is really overcrowded, but I honestly have no choice because it is the closest school and I have unreliable transportation when it comes to commuting to another community college like Goldenwest or Coastline. I am ‘dying to’ get into UCLA but moreover UCB…
& as far as honors classes go…I’ll keep trying to get into those classes because it doesn’t hurt to do so…thanks for your insight…</p>

<p>And I was glad to read that you are a political science major as well! I would like to know the results of acceptance as far as what happens on your end. Did you apply just to see if you get in or were you seriously aiming for it? What kind of grades did you get and what was your GPA? I heard it is extremely hard for PoliSci majors to get into top tier schools like UCB or UCLA because they are the top in the country in when it comes to PoliSci and are very selective (even with transfers) when it comes to accepting students. UCLA’s assist profile emphasizes the following (copy and paste)…</p>

<p>“THIS MAJOR IS HIGHLY SELECTIVE. At minimum, you should complete three preparatory
courses by the spring term prior to transfer. All courses must be taken for a
letter grade. Transfer students must be admitted as Pre-Political Science majors
in order to major in Political Science. Students may not change their major to
Pre-Political Science if they were originally admitted to another major…”</p>

<p>As far as the History classes…I only need to pick one? I guess I don’t know how to read Assist’s format. I have already taken American History 180H and World History 161H, so does that mean I’ve already fulfilled that aspect? </p>

<p>-& I really appreciate that tidbit about taking stats at SAC. I will look into that! </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your advice and I’m sorry if I asked to many questions…the counselors really suck here and I honestly have nowhere to go but the internet when it comes to planning my classes…</p>

9

<p>@Zoeyschmoey I echo what everyone else says. The only thing that might hurt you is that you have to B’s in your Political Science classes. I would enroll in the last political science class offered at OCC and try to get an A in it. It will make you a more competitive applicant.</p>

<p>If your not involved on campus get involved. OCC has a political science honor society. I recommend getting involved with that. Every little thing you can do to get boost your application do it. Also, once your involved the people around you’s wealth of knowledge will be crucial to success in CC. I’ve learned more from students than faculty. </p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

10

<p>@zoeyschmoey: It sounds like you’re close to be TAP certified (with the Honors Program) so I encourage you to finish if you’re almost done…to have a great chance at being admitted to UCLA. </p>

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<p>I’m seriously aiming for Berkeley :smiley: I can’t wait until April for decision time. Haha. I have a 3.83 GPA and I’ve completed all of my prereqs for Cal. As for UCLA, it’s not my top choice. I actually would go to UCSD over UCLA, in my opinion, since UCSD is higher ranked in Political Science than LA. I’m doing my last prereq for UCLA this spring (International Relations) but they want you to complete at least three prereqs so thank goodness I have that already.</p>

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</p>

<p>Yes, you only have to take ONE! So you’ve satisfied that prereq now.</p>

11

<p>@OCNative
I never got a chance to login and thank you again for all the advice.
I am honestly rooting for you then!!! I’d love to hear what schools you got into, and I’ll definitely be checking back to find out.
You have no idea how excited I get when I hear that someone got into their dream school (usually UCB or UCLA).</p>

<p>I’ll be checking back, so until next time, good luck!!! :D</p>

12

<p>I would drop the bowling the class. The rest of the schedule looks really good for a college transfer if you can get As.</p>

13

<p>I was thinking that that looked silly too…but I have to take something for Kinesiology…and that was the only one there was no wait list for…is it really that bad? Hahaa.</p>

<p>And thank you so much for helping me out here too. :)</p>

14

<p>You don’t need kinesiology for UCs + I would say it would district you from academic courses.</p>

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<p>My advice is to take political theory in the spring, I know it wasn’t offered in the fall and isn’t offered every semester. I had been trying to take it and will finally be able to do it this spring. </p>

<p>Btw if you’re taking current issues with prof Cemo, he’s awesome :)</p>

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<p>Lol! Sorry just realized you already took it!</p>

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<p>WOW, so manny people from coast on here.</p>

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<p>Thanks Zoeyschmoey! That’s very kind of you. I wish you the best as well in getting into UCLA or Berkeley, and finishing those courses to apply next year. </p>

<p>I don’t think you need to drop Kinesiology as bomerr stated. It will not be evaluated for admission since I don’t believe it falls under the IGETC and it’s probably just only UC transferable. Therefore, it probably will just count for your units. Bowling sounds fun though LOL! Don’t stress yourself too much in one semester :D</p>

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<p>Aw thank you! And not to sound like someone who is super gullible but I had thought bowling was just a strange choice too…and I know it won’t be evaluated but it just made me feel silly having that on my transcript…and I always wanted to take volleyball so I took that instead. LOL. </p>

<p>And I will SERIOUSLY be checking back up on you! So thanks for the advice and I wish you more than the best of luck, because you need it more than me right now. Hahaa.</p>

<p>Have a great one!! :)</p>