<p>cccbound, i'm glad that your friend want to be a Bruin because i'm a Bruin myself. </p>
<p>For UC intercampus transfer, there is NO soph transfer, only junior level is accepted (at least in UCLA). Since UCs give priorities for students from CCC (California Community College), your friend would best if he can go to a local CCC instead of UCD. In fact, 2 years ago, I almost submitted SIR to UCR but luckily I didn't and I started going to CCC and here now I succeeded transferring to UCLA. </p>
<p>However, if it is not possible in your friend's case since he sent SIR to UCD already, I would suggest him to maintain a 3.6+ GPA (in transfer, GPA MATTERS the MOST!!!!!) to be competitive!
Secondly, tell him to finish the UC general education as soon as possible, I believe it is 48 quarter units minimum consisted of many areas like art, humantities, science and so on (if you would like details, I would provide more) for letter&science majors.
Thirdly, tell him to finish the lower-division courses because those mostly are prerequisites for upper division work and UCLA prefers students finishing them before they start their junior year. Those courses differ a lot from major to major.
Fourth, tell him to do some actitivies to brush up the application but do it if he does have free time because this only enhances his chance. What really matters again is the GPA!
Last but not least, he should have a very good essay; again essay does not count much for students with GPA 3.8+! </p>
<p>In summary:
1. GPA (3.6+ to be competitive)
2. Fullfilling general education (UC 48 minimum quarter units)
3. Fullfilling the lower-division for the majors (depends on each major)
4. Extra activities
5. Essay
Note: GPA matters the MOST and highschool records do NOT count much for transfer students!</p>