<p>Hi, I'm a freshman at a Cal State and I want to know how rigorous the admissions process for transfer students is. Is it harder for out of state students? I don't plan to transfer here until after my sophomore year. Obviously I need good grades, but what should I be aiming for? Because so far I think I can basically get A's and a couple B's in all my classes (14 credits this semester) except math, which is really bad right now...if I get a bad grade in that 1 math class, will my chances be ruined? </p>
<p>Also, I'm a business major but I looked and I really don't see an actual "business" major, I saw accounting, management, sports management, etc...</p>
<p>I get the vibe the UMass is academically an extremely good school that ranks really high, but the acceptance rate is also high. Is it because its underrated, and should I be worried that since its such a good school that I might not get in?</p>
<p>If they need it, my SAT score was 1800 and my high school gpa was...really bad. Unweighted was at least above a 3.0. Basically, how should I prepare myself for these next two years at my Cal State if I plan to go to UMass? </p>
<p>Also just wondering, if I get in, do I HAVE to live in Sylvan? I here that most transfer students live there and I absolutely don’t want to live in suites. I’m already living in them at my school and I hate it so much, the social interactions between people in this building suck. When we make our preference list for dorms, if I don’t list Sylvan at all then what are my chances of living there? I really really don’t want to live in any suites… </p>
<p>I have met one transfer student so far at Umass since I’m a freshman and well most of the people I meet are freshmen (though I meet other people through clubs and my job). The one person I met is currently living in an upperclassmen dorm in Central. So you could definitely manage to get away from Sylvan, however I’m not really sure about the actual chances of getting away from there. </p>
<p>Umass is pretty underrated and in the general MA area it still has a reputation of more of a party school than an academic school. However I’ve seen the opposite since I’ve come here. Obviously many people party at such a large school but the vibe here is definitely surrounding “Work comes First” if you know what I mean. You’ll come across people that skip every class and wonder why they’re failing and you’ll come across people who had a 4.0 and near 2300+ SAT in highschool that work their asses off in tough majors (no really). I do not believe their is a general business degree for the Isenburg school of Management- you have to pick a specific major within it. </p>
<p>That being said the business school is one of the hardest to get into. I believe some friends that are interested in transferring into a business major require a 3.5 gpa in order to do so. Im not sure about transfer students but you may not be accepted as a business major if your grades at cal state are low. Aim for about a 3.5 gpa and good luck. Umass definitely favors out of state students- I was out of state and I got accepted as a computer science major. I met people from California, to Virginia, to New Jersey, to Oregon, to Texas, to China at this school so far. </p>
<p>Thanks, I think i can get somewhere around 3.5. This semester I’ll definitely have over a 3.2 for sure, and i’ll make the grades for the next 3 as well. Yep, thats what I get and I honestly dont care if its a party school, I find it really ridiculous for people to look down on party schools and assume that just because someone parties, it must mean they arent academically smart, in fact I’d be disappointed if there werent any parties haha. </p>
<p>I’ll literally take anything but Sylvan. If I do get placed in there, will there be a chance for me to switch out? I know at my school that after the school year started they allow students to switch dorm buildings if they want. And will I still be placed in Sylvan senior year or will I no longer be considered a transfer? </p>
<p>Yes you can switch out if there are open rooms elsewhere. You just have to be quick cause the more desirable rooms get picked first. I was only able to see which freshman rooms were available- and there were 3 in orchard hill, 10 in norhtheast, and maybe 2 in central the first day you’re available to switch (Southwest was full). Not sure if the process is different for transfer students but generally you can switch your room. As for senior year- most students are moved out by then and live on campus because its cheaper- so I’m not really sure if seniors are given a higher preference or not for residential living. You can always email umass and they should reply quickly. </p>
<p>Hello,
I am a third year student here. I say third year instead of junior, because I’m behind on credits so I’m technically a sophomore.
Anyway, I know quite a few transfers here. Most of them I knew before they transferred here (as in, from home), but I still know quite a few.
The lowest GPA that I know that got in was a 2.9. The highest was a 4.0. So as you can see, here is a big range. I think a 3.5 will almost GUARANTEE you admission, but I am not at liberty to say that.
You very well may get stuck in Sylvan. It stinks, but if you are diligent, you may be able to get into a more desirable location within your first few weeks there. And if not, DEFINITELY your second semester (So many kids go abroad, but yet again, requires a certain level of diligence). There is also a small chance that you don’t get put in Sylvan in the first place, in which case, yay for you. But housing is a problem here for a reason, so don’t bank on that!</p>
<p>Quick note: I just noticed you were a business major. If you are trying to get into Isenberg, I definitely think you should apply to Isenberg. Don’t try to come here and then switch into Isenberg, it’s nearly impossible. The average GPA for on campus transfers into Isenberg was ~3.8 when I was a freshman. For people transferring in from another school, it was closer to a 3.6. </p>