<p>I was looking at the prerequisites for transferring to Michigan's college of engineering and it basically requires you to have already completed two years at another university in order to meet the listed prerequisites for applying as a transfer student. I was wondering if there's a way to transfer after having only done one year of school before applying. </p>
<p>I am currently a freshman at UC Berkeley (College of Letters & Science) and I would like to transfer to Michigan's mechanical engineering department. I have a 3.2 GPA in mostly engineering courses from Berkeley and a 3.9 (weighted) GPA from high school. I was in the International Baccalaureate program and got a 34 on the ACT. I also played lacrosse for CAL's men's lacrosse team while I was here and I have pretty strong extracurriculars from back in High School as well (Senior Class President, tennis team, hospital volunteering, etc) </p>
<p>CAL is a fantastic school academically, but the rest of the Berkeley experience didn't turn out to be a good fit for me. I'm thinking that I'll be able to follow my interests better in Ann Arbor. </p>
<p>Courses I've taken at Berkeley:
2 semesters of Calculus
Engineering Analysis and Design
Physics
Chemistry
Astronomy
2 semesters of Turkish</p>
<p>
Why? Is it because you can’t transfer into Berkeley’s College of Engineering from L&S?</p>
<p>You seem like a strong student and are involved in campus activities. I think you’re gonna have to wait to apply next year anyways as a junior transfer.</p>
<p>In the meantime, what would make you happier at Cal (not CAL)?</p>
<p>Maybe I overextended myself during my first year at Cal and that stress bled negatively into my experiences here. I just found myself to be unfulfilled by what I was doing outside of school and unhappy with my living situation (Clark Kerr.) </p>
<p>Maybe taking some of the load off and finding a nice place to live will let me see Berkeley in a new light. </p>
<p>I haven’t completely decided to transfer, but I’m looking into Michigan and other engineering programs to see what other options are out there.</p>
<p>^ That’s easy to do. It takes some adjustment to the academics from high school and you’re involved in a sport. </p>
<p>Did you meet people you like? Try to find a place closer to campus with friends as roommates (Clark Kerr is kinda isolated) and maybe try a lighter course load. </p>
<p>Are you in-state for Berkeley? If so, transferring out-of-state will be quite a bit more expensive.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m out of state in California too.</p>
<p>One of my friends transferred to into CoE from MSU after one year but he kind of got in the backdoor. I’m not certain about every detail but basically he applied as a sophomore transfer but they didn’t take him because he hadn’t fulfilled all of his prereqs but he managed to get a meeting with a ChemE advisor and she reviewed his application and thought he was good enough so she found a way to get him accepted.</p>
<p>I passed up Berkeley for Michigan many years ago for fear of the housing situation. Michigan does have great dorms in my opinion. I think in general that Ann Arbor is a better college town than Berkeley, more peaceful, cleaner, less bums. Remember that you get 4 seasons in Michigan. Autumn is gorgeous. Spring and Summer too. Winter is a big long; although cozy, and the white snow is pretty against the limestone buildings.</p>
<p>I think also that Michigan does more for its undergraduates than Berkeley. UM has so many programs for undergrads. I get the feeling that Berkeley bases its reputation on Nobel prizes and the undergrads get to tag along.</p>
<p>^ Berkeley has been listed on USNWR’s best undergraduate teaching or “dedication to undergraduate teaching” survey since the poll’s been conducted. </p>
<p>No doubt Berkeley trumpets its Nobels, even giving them special on-campus parking benefits. However, Berkeley is a research university…just like Michigan is… Michigan would likely toot its horn if one of its faculty won a Nobel prize. Nobels are the epitome of recognition for academic achievement. </p>
<p>I agree the city of Berkeley is gritty and not suited for everyone.</p>
<p>Forgive me UCBChemEGrad but I don’t put much credit in the US News. Their criteria are so weak. However, if you have found Berkeley dedicated to undergrad. education that says something. I have noted that Michigan offers many more programs for undergrads than Berkeley. </p>
<p>By the way, I think both schools are shameful for not offering business programs for any students that want it. You shouldn’t have to apply again. It should just be a major like any other. Many students only learn about this after they start because it really doesn’t make sense.</p>