<p>So I'm currently a high school senior who plans on going to Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts this fall and majoring in Computer Science. I didn't do to hot during my freshman or sophomore year, but began realizing that school is very important during my junior year and into my senior year. During the past two years I've averaged A's and B's with a C here or there, and my GPA come graduation will probably be around 2.6-2.8. I realize that these are not very good grades, nor is this a good GPA. </p>
<p>I've decided that what I will do is go to a local university (in this case Salem State) for two reasons: 1.) to save money 2.) to bring up my GPA/grades. Throughout high school I didn't apply myself. I have ADD/ADHD and was easily distracted during my freshman and sophomore year, hence the poor grades and lack of focus/motivation to do well. I only began to control my ADD and keep myself focused going into my junior year. This is when I frequently began to make the honor roll (I made high honors for 3 out of the 4 quarters and honors for 1 of the quarters for junior year). Senior year has been a bit harder and I've only made honors for two quarters this year, but have still maintained my grades. </p>
<p>I fully intend on dedicating ALL of my time at Salem State to school work, clubs, etc. I will not be working at a job to be distracted by, nothing. I will do anything I can do to diversify myself/standout to other schools. I plan on keeping my GPA between a 3.8-4.0. </p>
<p>So, now onto the topic of transferring. I want to transfer to UCLA or UCB after either my freshman or sophomore year in college, but do not know if meeting the goals I have set for myself at Salem State would be enough to get into these schools.</p>
<p>Does anyone have experience transferring from a mediocre college to a higher level college? Your insight would be greatly appreciated. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of any other schools in California that would be better to transfer to than these two schools, please let me know! I'm just getting started on my search for good computer science schools that are within reach if I just apply myself. </p>
<p>What do you mean? In order to get into a good school you have to have a good GPA… Unless you mean my current GPA? I figured this would matter because I didn’t know if I should try to transfer in my first year or my second year. Would only being in college for 1 year be enough for other colleges to look at those grades instead of my high school grades, or would I need to transfer during my sophomore year?</p>
<p>It is very difficult to transfer from a four-year college to a UC campus. Not to mention, your major is Computer Science and your target is Cal/UCLA.</p>
<p>If possible, it will be easier if you go a California Community College and than transfer after two years.</p>
<p>Damn. I’m assuming it’s to late now to apply at a California Community College and it would also be a difficult process since I’m all the way in Massachusetts and would have to go through all the trouble of looking for housing. </p>
<p>Would you be able to recommend any other good colleges in California for computer science that I could transfer to?</p>
<p>@bd1212
I hope tuition costs won’t be an issue if you’re admitted to Cal or UCLA; you’re going to pay OOS tuition rates if admitted.</p>
<p>There are minimum requirements you have to meet in order to be eligible for transfer to the UCs. With such a low HS GPA, I recommend you apply for transfer during your Sophomore year at Salem. It will be very competitive for Cal and UCLA, so it behooves you to maintain a high GPA, get some interesting ECs under your belt, and write excellent essays.</p>
<p>Even if you were to relocate to California to enroll in a CC; gaining California residency is not as easy as it may sound since I assume you’re still a dependent of your parents.</p>
<p>Those are more of top-pick schools that I would like to go to. I’m just looking for a good school for a computer science in California. </p>
<p>It doesn’t have to be a top-pick school like the ones that I listed (trust me, I know those are very far reach schools), but if it is 1.) in California, 2.) has a good computer science program, and 3.) Is a definite possibility for me to be able to transfer to, I would LOVE for your recommendations.</p>
<p>I’ve still got plenty of time to research schools and this just my first time using this forum so I’m still new and I am really in need of assistance as this is a major life choice/decision for me.</p>
<p>If your aspirations are Cal and UCLA, then also include USC. Other choices are UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Cal Poly San Louis Obispo, San Diego State University, and Cal State Long Beach may be within your reach.</p>
<p>Since you still have time, look up the various UC and Cal State colleges to find a school with programs you may be interested in.</p>
<p>Will definitely be looking at all of those schools, thanks! Out of all of those schools, which do you think would be the most realistic for me to get into, while still being able to get into a good computer science program? I will definitely be doing a lot of research on this. </p>
<p>Also, what does EC’s mean? Extracurricular? If so, then what do you mean by interesting EC’s? I’ve had a couple of part-time jobs here and there and plan on getting an internship over the summer, but I don’t really understand what you mean by interesting.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I was also accepted to Suffolk University, and was wondering… is it easier to transfer from a school that has a better reputation like Suffolk as opposed to a school like Salem State which doesn’t have as good of a reputation?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about whether Salem or Suffolk has a better reputation. Regardless of the reputation of the school you’re transferring from, if you’re your GPA, ECs (extra-curricular activities), and essays are not competitive, you won’t be competitive. </p>
<p>Keep in mind a vast majority of transfers to the UCs are CC applicants. Just because you’re transferring from a 4-year or “name-brand” school does not automatically place you at the top of the admit list. Although California CC applicants are given transfer priority, as long as you’re competitive, your chances of getting in are good.</p>
<p>My “interesting ECs” comment relates to extra-curricular activities which may set you apart from the other applicants. The majority of transfer applicants will have activities directly related to their career goal, helping the elderly, helping underprivileged kids, model UN, student council, working part-time, working full-time, etc. For example, if you interned at NASA and helped with the Discovery rover program, THAT would be an interesting EC which would definitely set you apart from everyone else, if you can capitalize it in your essay.</p>
<p>Awesome! Thanks so, so much for all the information! It’s a lot to take in, but I’ve got plenty of time and definitely feel that this is definitely something I can do! You really do not understand how much this has helped me, so again, thank you very, very much! :)</p>