I wanted to find out what is the process and how easy it is to transfer to UCB from other UCs. I understand the priority is for the CC, but I wanted to find out from the other UCs (say UCSB).
Can it be done after a year? Or 2 year (given the application is filled in Nov for the transfer).
You need 60 semester units by the end of Spring semester prior to transferring to a UC. A 1 year transfer could be possible if you have a lot of AP credit but you also need to meet GE and major requirements and AP credit may not be used to meet some of these requirements. Priority is given to CC transfers over UC transfers but it can be done. I would make sure you get GE reciprocity from UCSB prior to transferring so try to complete as many GE’s as possible at UCSB. It will also depend upon your major since some majors have many course requirements which are difficult to complete in 1 year.
Thank you @Gumbymon so much for the information.
Does that mean I have to apply in November itself (during my first quarter itself) and plan to complete unit by Spring. I will have reasonable AP and A-Level credit (around 50-60).
I am joining UCSB in Computer Science and looking for the UCB EECS.
Any other tips to make the transfer to UCB EECS successful apart from keeping the grades up? I understand they also look for a strong reason to move. Right?
Yes apply in November.
Thank you for the response. That means I will not have much new information to share at that time. The first-quarter result will not be out as well. Has anyone actually done transfer with in the first year successfully? I understand its theoretically possible, but does it work out practically.
I’ll let you know if i’m successful in a week when results come out. What’s your major? the requirements may vary.
I applied to EECS (highly competitive) with a ~3.8 GPA/3.858 major GPA from another UC. Based on UCLA’s admission state, that puts me in the low 25% percentile range, I can assume that Berkeley’s standards are slightly higher. I suggest you check UCLA’s stats for your major as a reference to see what grades to aim for.
I’ve looked at the trends for UC to UC transfers (based on UCLA’s website), and it looks like it gets harder every year. I believe that Berkeley is even more strict on UC to UC transfers than UCLA.
Here’s my background if you’re curious.
Requirements:
Clubs (I left out a few details to protect my identity):
Work experience:
Hobbies:
-Lifting (participated in past competitions)
-Dancing (lots of previous past performances)
Essays:
**I tried to adapt and enjoy my time at my original UC first, and I encourage you to do so to. I know someone who transferred within a year from my UC to UCB. I don’t know his stats, but based on my experience with him in class, he had done a lot of coursework in CC and was really on top of his game.
Thank you anxiety1677 for your detailed response. Very much appreciated. Good luck to you for your transfer application.
I am talking about the CS major and particularly the EECS in UCB.
I will also try for the UCB and UCLA. Right now I am zeroing on joining UCSB (although I have acceptances from UCD and UCI as well in Computer Science).
I think you have a fair shot at it if you can keep your gpa up and are involved on campus in ways that are relevant to your major (relevant clubs, internships, jobs etc). Also, if possible I’d try to join your university honors program, some schools will allow students to join spring of your freshman year. I know several people who’ve gotten into and transferred into UCB from other UCs (ex UCSD, UCSC, UCD and UCI). Im also going to be transferring from UCD this fall.
It is definitely possible, but you want to be planning out what classes you are going to be taking way ahead of time. As a four year student you also may need to consider the requirements for each college and the specific major you’re applying for and you want to consider the unit caps and unit minimums for each college you’re applying to (they vary!) and plan your schedule around that.
I honestly would not recommend rushing to apply to transfer within your first quarter, I believe there is preference given to having already completed some of the transfer requirements and as a freshman it‘ll be difficult to have those done unless you take summer classes at a cc. Also it’ll be difficult to show any involvement in the campus/ECs because you would be submitting the application in Nov, essentially 1.5 months after starting school.
Also no matter what you decide, good luck at sb! It’s a fantastic school!
Thank you @Grapefruit134 for your response. I am curious which year you are transferring and which major you currently doing. You are right about applying in the first year I will not have much credentials built.
What do you mean by joining the honors program in spring? Looking at the information for UCSB, it looks like the next window of opportunity is after the 3rd quarter
https://engineering.ucsb.edu/undergraduate/college-engineering-honors-program
given I will have 50-60 credits from AP and A-levels, I think I should be able to complete the undergrad within 3 years. Does it make sense to move after 2 years in this case or better opt for grad studies and finish the undergrad in the original institute?
Hello!
It’s possible! But maybe it depends on the major and the school. I was able to transfer from my CC to UCI. Many of my classes were labeled as “planned” in my application, but I had a 4.0 GPA then, and I maintained a high GPA throughout the year. So, it’s possible, specially if you have AP credits as I did.
@hulahoope I’m currently a second year transferring into the college of letters and science.
Also my mistake, my UC has a university wide honors college that has applications happen during your freshman year. Based on the link you provided it looks like the application for the college of engineering honors program for UCSB has applications due the summer between your freshman and sophomore year. Despite the deadline difference I would still recommend applying to the program as I think it would be evidence of the academic rigor that you can handle.
I also would caution you against assuming that the AP credits would allow you to graduate early, while AP credits will likely give you general credit, only some of them will have a specific equivalency and will allow you to get out of major/GE requirements. Definitely make sure to check the UCSB guidelines on AP credits.
In terms of your last question, I think that that decision is ultimately up to you and what you feel would be most beneficial with regards to your educational goals. I would recommend you consider a few things though. For one, if you decide to attend UCSB, make the most of your first year. Really try to find things to like about the campus and the local environment and find ways to really get involved. That way if you do decide to apply you have ECs that you can talk about that you are truly passionate about and that you can show sustained commitment too. This will also show that you truly tried out all of the offerings of UCSB and will help you more clearly understand why you want to transfer and what you are looking for (if you still do at that point) as you would have clearly experienced a lot of what SB has to offer. Also if you apply and end up unable to transfer you can still enjoy your college experience at SB as you would presumably have made some friendships and connections on campus to other people/organizations. Of course, while doing all this make sure that you are taking the required major prep classes for transfer, so that the option of transferring is still open to you.
Some questions that I personally think may be helpful to you in making your decision:
Lastly, I do want to say, it’s not impossible to transfer after 1 year, but I think it will be significantly more difficult and will require a lot more planning on your part to get a good portion of the prep classes done during fall/summer quarter and to get involved in ECs during the summer/fall.
Thanks, @student3579 and @Grapefruit134 for the response.
@student3579: You mean you transferred from your CC from UCI with in the first year?
@Grapefruit134: Thanks again for the detailed information and tips and I do agree with your suggestions. Good information for the honors program, I will strive to get in there. I will check again on the AP credits, last I checked ignoring the similar subjects, I was expecting to get 50-60, but I will double-check as I have done that math myself.
Frankly speaking, I don’t have the crisp answer to all the questions you posed in your response, I will look for the answer for these as I further explore my direction (but never the less good set of questions).
update: I got into UCLA but not UCB
CS is even more competitve than EE rn, so GL!
I actually went to a UCR first quarter but dropped out because my dream school was always UCLA. I attended CC after that and got into every UC I applied to, including UCLA and UCB, after two years. It is a lot harder to get into UCB from another UC but it is possible!
Congratulations @anxiety1677 for your admission to UCLA and thanks again for sharing all the experiences.
Great to hear about your story @hussey1. I am glad that you made it to your dream college.
@Grapefruit134 Hi! I’m an incoming freshman at UCD hoping to get some advice or help on transferring to UCB? Can I message you for advice or insight on my situation? Thank you!