<p>First off I'd like to apologize if I'm in the wrong forum as I'm not yet terribly familiar with College Confidential. What I'd really like is an idea of where I stand acceptance wise for the UC's. I know how impossible its becoming to get accepted as a freshman let alone as a transfer and I'd love some insight to better prepare myself. I applied last year but didn't get in to any of the schools I wanted, I'll let you know what I've done differently this time around.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people say that it depends on a lot of different factors and with the current economic situation transfers are almost not happening at all. I also know the state of the UC's aren't what they use to be and more and more schools are accepting out of staters because they pay more money. Still, any information or suggestion would be appreciated. </p>
<p>I'm majoring in Philosophy and want to minor in International Relations. (mild variations would be fine i.e. ethics or political science)</p>
<p>My GPA is my weakest aspect, I have a 3.3 with two F's on my record (although I retook those classes with passing or higher grades) I have a good reason for those F's and my low GPA. I've been helping to support myself and my family (mom and sister) since my father left when I was 15. This resulted in me having to leave high school early to get a full time job. I worked full time while in school (at times two jobs) and there were times were it was just impossible to do everything, sadly this resulted in a few bad grades.</p>
<p>SAT scores: 790 in writing, 790 in reading and 690 in math</p>
<p>I have about 1000 hours of volunteer at the local rape counseling center were I am a certified advocate and I was advocate of the year. I also have about 200 hours at the local no kill shelter and I have committed to volunteering at an orphanage in Thai Land for three months in the spring.</p>
<p>I am pretty confident in my essay and am using this site to help guide necessary changes. Aside from volunteering and helping support my family I have sent myself on two trips to Europe where I backpacked either alone or with a few friends. I have been promoted within 3 months of every job I've ever gotten. And I speak also speak french and am teaching myself Arabic, Japanese, and Thai.</p>
<p>I know academically I'm not really special but I think I have a decent story and I've worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. Please let me know if you can think of anything else I can do.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Which schools do you want to attend? Did you apply for TAG?</p>
<p>I did not know about TAG until too late. I was told by my counselor that it only applied to the UC closest to your hometown which didn’t interest me. I’m applying to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, and UC San Diego.</p>
<p>Are you currently in a California Community College or are you coming from HS?</p>
<p>I’m coming from a CCC.</p>
<p>Okay so as a transfer your SAT scores will not be part of the application. You can write a killer essay about working to help your family and that COULD help with Cal. They love a good essay. UCLA is typically more numbers oriented. And I believe a 3.3 is a bit low because the average admitted GPA of those that applied to the philosophy department was 3.6. But keep in mind this is only the middle section of the accepted so there was a portion that had lower than the 3.6. For UCSD and UCSB I am unaware.</p>
<p>[Profile</a> of Admitted Transfer Students by Major, Fall 2011 - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof11_mjr.htm#PW]Profile”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof11_mjr.htm#PW)</p>
<p>You might have a shot at UCSB. The average gpa admitted for 2010-11 was a 3.16</p>
<p>Macknee33,</p>
<p>I cannot say much for the other UC’s; however, UC Berkeley offers the TAP (transfer alliance project) program for disadvantaged students - you seem to fit the mold in terms of your socioeconomic status. </p>
<p>The admit rate of transfers involved in TAP is 85% I believe (somewhere in that range). </p>
<p>Contact a representative soon though - you never know when its too late…before its too late. lol.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how helpful this will be for you…but I’ll tell you one thing. UC Berkeley certainly DOES care about explanations for poor academic performance. I know firsthand. I applied to UCB for freshman admission with a pretty unimpressive GPA (due to personal/financial issues) and they sent me a supplemental questionnaire. They do this for students who are borderline, disabled/disadvantaged, or have a special talent. Of course, I had a decent personal statement…(which I believe you will certainly have). And that is what put me in the “maybe pile”. THUS, there is no doubt that UC Berkeley will be interested in you. </p>
<p>On another note- I don’t think your SAT’s matter at this point. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you,
dem</p>
<p>You have a pretty good chance at UCSB. The others are varying degrees of reach.</p>