UC application update

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hello,

I’m an undergraduate student waiting for transfer decision. In another country, I finished high school, moved up to a college and finished it before moving to the US and started again in a community college. In my UC application I left out the gap of 4 years in college (means I didn’t mention anything about the time) because I thought a foreign college would mean nothing, if not disadvantageous for my application. UC sent an update request, asking me to explain the 4 year gap, whether I attended any college during the time. I know that this could mean dishonesty and get on the nerve of some people, but do you guys think it would be better if I tell them the truth or should I explain that I was working for the 4 years?

Thank you

2

Always, always tell the truth! I don’t see any reason as to why this would hurt aside from the fact that you so intentionally left it out. So that I understand correctly, were there four years between your foreign college and going back to school in the US or were those four years spent in a foreign college that you didn’t include?

3

Those four years were spent on a foreign college that I didn’t mention on the UC application. I’m worried that giving them the information now would result in disqualification due to dishonesty, so I’m asking for advice whether I should tell the truth or not.

4

Well, the answer is you need to report everything. You could tell them and they throw out your application because it was made obvious that you needed to report all coursework … or you could not tell them and you could get accepted, only to get rescinded later if/when they find out.

Or you could tell them and they update things accordingly and all is well.

Regardless, you’re in a tough spot. Hope it works out for you.

5

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/transfer/helping-students/second-baccalaureate/

Some (not all) of the UC’s accept second-baccalaureate students.

6

Is your previous bachelor’s degree from a institution that meets (would meet) some sort of regional accreditation standard from a credential service? (Think WES, ECE, NACES, etc.)

I understand that some foreign degrees, especially ones from developing countries, can be essentially worthless here in the US and I don’t think your decision is as black and white as it seems. That said, I find myself agreeing with the posters above:

  1. Not revealing your academic history leaves you vulnerable for immediate expulsion should the UCs ever find out about your past. IMHO, the constant fear of having your education stripped from you at a moments notice with no room for appeal seems like a recipe for a mental breakdown.
  2. As @briank82 alluded to, it's also a heavy financial risk as you could be paying all that money for a degree that ultimately might not be awarded to you.
  3. Even though, as @goldencub provided, revealing that you already received a prior bachelor's degree will **realistically** eliminate you from consideration at pretty much every UC. Many private institutes (and some of the CSUs) allow second bachelor candidates. While they lack the prestige of the UC system, they also don't have the major risks associated with not divulging your academic history.

Also have you looked into grad school admissions? Considering your applying as a transfer with more than 60 semester units completed at a CCC (and likely good standing since your applying for the UCs), there should be a number of CSU master’s programs that will take you in. Admissions to those programs will place heavy emphasis on your recent track record (last 60 units taken) and will not discredit your already earned bachelor’s degree. You should also consider that a graduate degree frequently improves your long term opportunities more than a second bachelors degree.

7

I’m with everyone else. Constantly feeling that you could be found out would NOT help you succeed if you were to get in. There is a really good chance that, if you don’t say anything, you could be expelled and, well, someone who was actually qualified for that spot would lose their shot because you were dishonest. You should let them know.

8

Dont listen to these square bears man! Do not admit to anything that will make you sound bad! Always lie cheat and steal as Eddie Guerrero would say!

JK, you should probably just be as honest as possible bro