<p>I was wondering if the admissions looks at the GPA you have at the time you apply? The problem is, at the moment I have a 3.57 GPA which is barely competitive for a Political Science major at UCLA. Not only that, I just started my lower major reqs this semester so it seems as though I wouldn't stand a chance against the other applicants. This whole admissions process is starting to get to me. I seems as though I have a 57% chance if getting accepted into UCLA but I first need to finish my lower reqs in order to be competitive. I'm hoping to get a 3.72 after Fall 05' semester and maybe a little higher after Winter 05' session, my last semester at JC. What are your guy's take on this?</p>
<p>first off--a 3.57 IS competitive for poli sci at UCLA. Secondly, just starting your lower major reqs this semester is not a major disadvantage. A 3.57 at application time is FINE--then you can update with your fall grades.</p>
<p>Wow you also have a winter interession? By any chance do you go to College of the Canyons?</p>
<p>Well in any case, if you want to be more competitive you can always do your schools honors program. If you complete the program, you will recieve priority admission into UCLA (at most schools...not sure on the figures though)...</p>
<p>CardinalFocused, I'm currently attending SMC (Santa Monica College) in hopes of transfering into UCLA for Fall 06'. I would've done their TAP program (which now seems like a piece of cake) but I wouldn't qualify since I took ENG 1 at another CCC. Not only that, I initially wanted to transfer into UCSD but changed my mind so the courses that I've taken (ECON 1, ECON 2, POSCI 1 etc.) that could've been used to satisfy the TAP program requirements have already been substituted. <strong><em>Does the TAP program really help your chances of being accepted?</em></strong></p>
<p>It definitely helps, but isn't necessary. I couldn't do TAP simply because I already had enough requirements and classes completed. It's just about impossible to start late.</p>
<p>The Honors Advisor at my school (College of the Canyons) said that if you complete the honors program your chances of getting accepted into UCLA are around 98%. I'm not sure how accurate her figures are (as that does seem quite high) but in any case the UCs definitely look favorably upon an honors program completion.</p>
<p>Look at the figures for individual majors for UCLA.</p>
<p>For poli sci, the average GPA of accepted students was 3.54. The average GPA of applicants was 3.32. The acceptance rate was 53.31%.</p>
<p>the TAP will definitely help you. i would try to raise that gpa, because you'll be competing with applicants with your gpa, along with TAP. good luck, i'm applying this november as well. :[</p>
<p>As others have said both TAP and Honors are very helpful. Also your grades are counted through the Fall Quarter of the year you apply. The best advice I can give you is to have a great fall quarter. I got stright A's while taking 22 units (plus finshed the honors program), I still think that was the final push I needed for UCLA.</p>
<p>CardinalFocused,
I was at College of the Canyons last year as well. Not many of us on here from COC.</p>
<p>Levintech-please refer to the stats. The average ACCEPTED GPA was 3.54! The average GPA of APPLICANTS (those who you "compete" with) was 3.32! Overemphasizing the difficulty of getting into these schools is negative because it discourages some entirely qualified students from even taking the extra step that will help them get where they'd like to be.</p>
<p>Hi Allena!</p>
<p>Wow, I did not think any cougars were on here! All the JCers on here seem like they mostly go to SMC, De Anza or PCC. Its nice to know someone who has successfully transfered out of COC.</p>
<p>Where else did you apply to btw? So you're a Bruin now?</p>
<p>I applied to all of the UC's (except Santa Cruz), as well as Tulane. I got into all of them, and decided on going to UCLA. I left COC with a 3.92 GPA and had done their whole honors program (I was in PTK as well) and completed the TAP. Last year there was actually another girl on here who was transfering from COC, I believe she ended up at Berkeley.</p>
<p>I realized that TAP is a must at SMC if u're a science major... Not b/c of UCLA transfer or anything like that. It's b/c all the science classes are filled in the first day of enrollment, which is when TAP people enroll. For general chem, if u get a good prof, u'll have easy time and get an A, if not....</p>
<p>Also right now there were 35 people trying to crash into my ochem class.... I got in just b/c somoene dropped several days ago.... It's a mess.</p>
<p>gabew42... where'd you find those stats? i'm interested in looking up economics</p>
<p>23/24 Honors kids that did TAP got accepted to UCLA for Fall05 @ FoothillCC</p>
<p>Go to UCLAs website and go to admissions and go to transfer student data...it's very easy to find.</p>
<p>cool thanks a bunch. do you know of any other UC's that give out that info. i haven't come across anything like this at the other UC sites.</p>
<p>im also trying to transfer to UCLA with political science as a major. my GPA is 3.68 however, the prereques ask for 4 course of political science, and i can only find 3. so far i have polysci 1 (american govern) and current taking polysci2(compartive govern) and polysci4(international relations). i had to go to another CC to find polysci2 and i was wondering how much of an impact would this have on my chances if i explained my situation in the essay portion?</p>
<p>Dude, I think that is fairly common. I only have 3 completed, it's all that is offered at my school. Mention it in the comments and P.S. and you will be ok. Your GPA is good.</p>
<p>Do the adcoms use your Fall grades ONLY if you are borderline or nonetheless? I want to know if they will be using my GPA at the time of my app or once my Fall grades have been updated. Obviously, my chances of being accepted to UCLA will be greater with Fall grades factored in. Also, I just wanted to confirm that the adcoms DO NOT use winter session grades. That is all. Good luck to everyone in the months to come!!!</p>