Try to transfer or apply again?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Reposting this here.

My situation is an unusual one.

I graduated in June at 16 years old (turned 16 in December) from a highly-ranked high school. I had high SAT scores (800M/800R/780W, 800 Physics, 800 Math 2, 780 Japanese w/ Listening), good AP scores (5 Phys B, 5 Phys C Mech, 5 Phys C E&M, 5 Calc BC, 5 Chem, 4 Lit, 4 NSL), a 3.92 GPA, and a 4.67 weighted GPA. However, my extracurriculars were somewhat lacking (didn’t stick with any one activity for over a year), my community service record was weak, and, extrapolating too much from my school’s admission statistics, I applied to too few schools (Stanford, MIT, Harvey Mudd, UC Berkeley, UCLA), all on computer science majors despite not having taken my school’s CS courses (reputation for not being taught very well). All five rejected me, and an appeal to UC Berkeley failed. Some of this might have been due to my age - in particular, a Harvey Mudd representative told me that I needed to do an interview or they wouldn’t accept me. I was planning to defer admission and take a gap year anyways, but my plan of finding an internship has been rockier than I expected - everyone wants current undergraduate students instead of gap year students, especially in computer science-related positions.

Now, I have a choice to make. I applied to all my schools from Maryland, but I moved into California shortly after graduation, so I would count as an in-state student applying to UCs for 2016, and UC Berkeley is my first choice, with the other UCs just behind. So, I’ve been trying to choose between two options:

a) Apply to all the UCs and some other California schools for 2016 (trying to stay close to home), get a less selective job, do community service and hope for the best.

b) Start taking classes at De Anza with summer classes at Berkeley as part of Berkeley’s Pathways to Four-Year Universities program and transfer later.

My family has money, but not big money, so the savings from CC would help, but I’m nervous about having my class choice restricted both at De Anza and at Berkeley, especially if I end up majoring in computer science. I plan to major in it because it’s the most profitable of my interests, but I’m still not really sure what I want to end up doing for a living (teaching in mathematics or science? economics? linguistics?), and I have the most passion for my art and music - neither of which I want to major in so I can stay financially stable. I worry that if computer science is too high-unit I won’t be able to branch out and explore those other interests during my years at Berkeley.

What should I do? Is it better to try my chances at the UCs again as an older and in-state student, or go through the more certain route of community college at the cost of some of my freedom and with a more fragmented college experience?

2

Are you sure you are considered in state in CA? I’m not sure ‘recently moved’ is enough to be an IS candidate.

Personally, I’d say go the CC route. You can start to branch out in CC and take courses that will satisfy GE requirements and still let you explore your interests. That being said, CS is extremely competitive and you’ll want to make sure you make top grades. I’m not really sure what you mean by ‘having my class choice restricted’…

3

Sorry but you’ll be paying nonresident tuition for CC as well as after transfer to UC. Find information in the California Colleges subforum where several knowledgeable CCers participate.

4

^Ya. If you only moved recently you’ll still be paying nonresident tuition.

Though with qualification like yours my personal recommendation (if it counts for anything) would be to do some sort of gap year program. If you go CC your HS qualifications are pretty much useless. If you write a strong essay and show a strong profile I think you would have a good chance to get admitted.

That said, I would recommend expanding the number of colleges you apply to. I would expand the base to include some safeties to keep your options open.

Good luck!

5

If you are looking to apply as a a California Resident to pay reduced fees, tread carefully - give this a good read.
http://www.ucop.edu/general-counsel/_files/ed-affairs/uc-residence-policy.pdf

As I read it, due to your youth - (you’ll still be a minor next year). Your parent’s relocation started your 366 day clock ticking. If you live in CA with your parents ad don’t attend school, you’ll be eligible to apply as an in-state freshman next year.

There are a handful of other exceptions that may apply, including your parent moving due to a military transfer.

Read the document, sit down with a parent and an admissions counselor and then chart your course.

If you do choose to sit out a year, make the most of it with a job/internship/travels/community service etc. Also, don’t forget to include a safety school or two. Assuming you took all the a-g courses, UCSC or UCR would be a good.

Good luck