UC Astrophysics transfer with low GPA chances?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hi all,

As stated in title, I want to transfer to a UC for astrophysics and applied to every campus, my top two choices being UCSC and UCB. Here are my grades:

Spring 2012 (Taken concurrently in high school)
PHIL-100 Introduction to Philosophy: A

Fall 2012:
MATH-101A Calculus With Analytic Geom: B
ENGL-111A Beginning Creative Writing: A
ENGL-101A Reading & Written Composition: B
ANTH-101 Physical Anthropology: A

Spring 2013:
PHYS-140 Mechanics: C
MATH-101B Calculus With Analytic Geom: B
ASTR-102 General Astronomy Lab: B
ASTR-101A Gen Astronomy of the Solar Sys: B

Fall 2013:
MATH-101C Calculus With Analytic Geom: W

Spring 2014:
ASTR-101B Gen Astronomy Beyond Solar Sys: B

Summer 2014:
MUS-103 Fundamentals of Music: B
MATH-103 Introduction to Linear Algebra: B

Fall 2014:
PHYS-142 Optics, Heat, & Modern Physics: B
MATH-101C Calculus with Analytic Geom: A
ENGL-101C Critical Thinking and Comp. : A
PS-102 American Government: A

Spring 2015 (in progress):
MATH-104 Differential Equations
MUS-101 Music Apprc: Western Classical
PHYS-141 Electricity and Magnetism

AP scores:
English Literature: 5
Calculus AB: 5
Calculus BC: 5
Chemistry: 3
Biology: 4
US History: 3
English Language: 3

ECs:
Astrophysics club president for the 2013-2014 year, held public events on campus for astronomy education
Work part-time, 20 hours per week.

Personal statements:
9/10 for both, according to counselor.

My cumulative GPA, which includes the two classes not relevant to my major or IGETC, is 3.3. My major GPA is much lower, ~2.9,3.0. I explained my grade trends being a product of mental illness, both my clinical depression and my mom’s bipolar disorder. I took the 2013-2014 off class to cope, after what happened in the spring of 2013 in my personal life as well as to my grades, and came back in Fall 2014 in pursuit of a TAG to UCSC. With some serious therapy and counseling through and through I think I did okay, but I got a B in Physics, so I didn’t meet the TAG requirements there. I think I can still do TAG if I get an A in physics this semester, but that remains to be seen. Anyway, what are my chances of getting into a UC for physics next fall? I’ve struggled quite a bit with my community college experience and can’t wait for it to be over, and the worry is seriously affecting my performance this semester.

Thanks in advance.

2

Bump.

3

You seem fit for UCSC. UCB is a huge stretch, though. The admissions offices are going to see the upward trend which can definitely help you. Taken from the UCSC website:

All Physics majors: Applied Physics, Physics, Physics (Astrophysics), and Physics Education
Students will be held to having completed the following by the end of the spring 2015 term:
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in courses articulated to UCSC’s introductory physics course sequence of PHYS 5A, PHYS 5B, and PHYS 5C.
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in courses articulated to UCSC’s MATH 19A and MATH 19B, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. (An AP Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or an AP Calculus BC score of 3, 4, or 5, can be substituted for Math 19A.)
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in a course articulated to UCSC’s MATH 23A, Vector Calculus.
Minimum grade point average of 2.70 in the introductory physics courses (PHYS 5A, 5B, and 5C).

I don’t see SC rejecting you.

4

I really appreciate the input, goldencub. I wouldn’t be too upset about not going to UCB; that place might be the final nail in the coffin of my mental health. Looks like SC will reject my major if I don’t get an A in my current physics course. Slept through one quiz already, but no pressure. :neutral_face:

5

Actually, these last courses will be irrelevant to your acceptance. If accepted, you could get a B and they won’t care. If you get a C, I’m not totally sure in your case, but they might not care either. The entire decision will be made just through your fall grades (in terms of GPA).

Out of curiosity, what did you write your PS on?

6

I’m a little confused there; the TAG requirement specifies by the end of the spring term before transferring, and the major qualifications say a 2.7 minimum GPA with the completion of all three courses; both cases are dependent on my grade in my current E&M course, then, but my general admission is not?

It was about how depression changed my lifestyle and my approach to my goals, the other about my time with astrophysics. I can PM both or either to you if you want them.

7

badabump.

Still nervous over decisions.