UC Berkeley Alumnus -- ask me questions if you need help :)

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>So I just graduated this past May from UC Berkeley. I was an transfer student there, transferring from a jc with a degree in English, but I guess more importantly (for this forum's purpose), I was part of the student orientation program there.</p>

<p>As a student orientation leader at a major public uni like Berkeley, we REALLY had to know our stuff, take a class on college reqs, major reqs, etc.. As a result, I know tons of info on tons of reqs for different majors, college requirements, transferring concerns, diversity questions, dorm life questions, greek life, dining halls, student alternative housing, and other concerns you all may have. If I don't know the answer, I hope I can point you in the right direction with a link or two.</p>

<p>So, ask away! I'll try and answer as many questions as I can for the time being. Please try to keep them general so we can help others and please keep them pertaining to UC Berkeley and Cal life.</p>

<p>And, if there's anything to know before you all apply, coming from a transfer student myself, it's that you <em>CAN</em> get into UC Berkeley and you <em>CAN</em> succeed there too. Academically. Socially. Professionally. (And especially as a transfer student).</p>

<p>Good luck with applying this year everyone!</p>

2

<p>Do you know how much financial aid can an international student get with Regent’s and Chancellor’s Scholarship?</p>

3

<p>I don’t know if you would know, but do you know how they transfer cal grant works, and how to receive it while attending berkeley? Also family housing, I am married, and have a one year old, what isit like?</p>

4

<p>How is the Berkeley alumni network treating you now that you’ve graduated? Is there a lot of opportunities available in the Bay Area for Berkeley grads?</p>

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<p>@mak1702 - I believe it’s based on your need, on an individual basis. If you are wondering about you’re award, that’s based on how much you receive in aid. I’d say check in with the Undergraduate Scholarships, Prizes, and Honors Office at <a href=“mailto:uspho@berkeley.edu”>uspho@berkeley.edu</a>. They’d be better to help.</p>

<p>@TheUnderdog1 - As long as you are a US citizen and you’re financial need meets the criteria, you’ll be automatically considered for all grants, including the Cal grant (with the exception of the veteran’s grant). It’s done automatically. There’s also a Parent grant for student parents you could be considered for as well. As far as family housing goes, I’ve heard it’s a very social and tight knit community with a lot of support from fellow student parents and the Berkeley community. Faculty, undergrads, international students, and grads are all part of/connected with the community. There’s also an on campus child care program available for student parents too. The Transfer, Re-Entry, Student Parent Office is another great resource for student parents. Good luck!</p>

<p>@ocnative - The Alumni Association is very supportive and strong at Cal, but it’s mostly geared to helping you staying affiliated and connected with the Cal community. That said, you do have to pay a fee to be part of the Alumni Association. My advice though would be to check in with the Career Center at Cal once you get started there so they can better prepare you for what your opportunities will look like once you graduate. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>tons of questions for you:</p>

<p>1) did you get a scholarship?
2) prior gpa before transferring?
3) how are you doing now? jobwise</p>

<p>also i live in pleasant hill. hypothetically let’s say i get in… financially would it really hurt if i did housing over there than just staying home (and the only means of transpo is bart & bus)? would i miss out on the cal life?</p>

<p>lastly, any friends/know anyone who did philosophy there? how are they?</p>

7

<p>snowbosan9</p>

<p>Don’t commute if you want to have the Cal life. There are many commuters who regret not doing on campus housing because they weren’t connected with many people thus not making many friends. It’s common sense.</p>

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<p>@englandlaw28 Do research papers help in admission? Do they read the papers?</p>

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<p>Say you get accepted to Econ or Political Economy, how easy is it to switch in the College of L&S as a transfer?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>What? Those are both in L&S.</p>

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<p>Also a former Cal grad, so I can help answer some of these questions. </p>

<p>Commuting:</p>

<p>Because Cal doesn’t have any on-campus housing, the social scene is not as restricted to campus as it is at some schools (liberal arts colleges as an example). That said, college life is definitely concentrated south and east of campus. If you live far away, you will miss out on some of the interactions that define the undergraduate experience. </p>

<p>If money matters, the money saved by living in pleasant hill might be worth it to you. BART will run you $~$150/mo. A cheap shared room near campus could be $500, not factoring in utilities, internet, or food. AC Transit is free for Cal students.</p>

<p>The formal alumni network:</p>

<p>It’s mostly for donations and sports. Cal is a big school. Alumni aren’t automatically buddy-buddy with each other, and the amount of weight companies put towards hiring fellow alums depends on corporate culture. You’re most likely to find benefits in really small mom-and-pop businesses where the owner was former Cal student.</p>

<p>Research Papers:</p>

<p>The chance of getting an admissions officer to read one is close to zero. They’ll look into it if it’s Ig Nobel material.</p>

<p>Transfer Majors and Schools:</p>

<p>Almost always doable, even if people (and the official rules) say it’s not. I’ve never heard of anyone who really pressed the issue (with a good academic standing) and got denied. Changing within a college (like L&S) involves no more than some minor paperwork and a visit to your major adviser. </p>

<p>Financial Aid for International Students:</p>

<p>Your best bet is with private scholarships. Federal and state aid is almost exclusively earmarked for US citizens.</p>

<p>[UC</a> Transfer Application Review - The App Style](<a href=“http://theappstyle.com/services/uc-transfer-review/]UC”>http://theappstyle.com/services/uc-transfer-review/)</p>

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<p>@snowbosan9 - I did not receive a scholarship, but I did get grants and finaid. My GPA was less than the “average” transfer’s GPA. The great thing about Cal is how much the Cal community values diversity, extracurriculars, life/work experience, and personal struggles prior to applying to uni. With that said, the GPA isn’t <em>all</em> that matters. And as of right now, I’m interning full time and looking for work still once that ends. As far as commuting, I’d say do whatever you have to financially. I have plenty of friends who commuted and still got to experience that Cal life you’re looking for. Even some who got more out of it than some who live on campus. Do what you can! :)</p>

<p>@journeyinwards - I do not believe research papers are read. You can mention them though, especially if it was for an honors course, in the additional comments of your application.</p>

<p>@CSB111 - Exactly what Splashofscience said. :)</p>

<p>Thanks for the questions so far. Also, thanks Splashofscience for your help!</p>

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<p>Oops, I meant to say if you are admitted as a transfer to say Political Econ, is it easy to switch within the College of Letter and Sciences, into Econ or CompSci?</p>

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<p>I am a CCC transfer applying for fall 2014 as a Sociology major. At the end of this semester my transferable gpa will be a 3.64. I have been working for 2 1/2 years and I am apart of the AGS Honor Society so ive participated in a lot of community service. I am also from a low income family (only my mom and I) and I’ve been through many hardships. Do you think I even have a chance at getting in?!</p>

15

<p>Where would you live on the Berkeley campus if you had to? And why would you live there?</p>

16

<p>Nevermind, did not see that other post. Thanks guys! :slight_smile: Probably would be better to apply for Political Econ then and transfer to what I want.</p>

<p>Do you know anything about applied math and the ability to either focus in Econ or CompSci or double major? I saw there were required clusters but it looks like there is some room to fit in more classss as well.</p>

17

<p>North of campus is mostly grad students. It’s quiet, super green, super hilly, and feels suburban. Fewer bus lines run in the area. </p>

<p>South of campus - the Berkeley ‘downtown’, lots of commotion, more restaurants, tons of bus lines around the east bay/to SF. </p>

<p>Southwest - same as above</p>

<p>Southeast - down college ave, the area is pretty posh. Nice little boutique stores and restaurants. Easy access to oakridge and north oakland, which are nice areas.</p>

<p>West - depending on where you are relative to university ave, it can get a little ghetto and seedy. Things start being more spread out. </p>

<p>The ideal for most undergrads is within a couple blocks south of campus, east of Shattuck.</p>

18

<p>This is actually a freshman admission question, but I thought I might as well ask.</p>

<p>I am an out-of-state applicant and at my school there are no full-year art classes offered until senior year and my schedule didn’t allow me to take the one class offered this year because I had to schedule a required class for that period.</p>

<p>My question is this: is it too late for me to take a college class? Is there anything else I can do? </p>

<p>I am really interested in UC, but if it’s not possible for me to apply because of this requirement I would be ok I just have to know before spending time on the application.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

19

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am currently applying to transfer as a Psychology major with a 3.9 GPA, but the thing is… I have no extracurriculars that are solely dedicated towards my major. I do, however, have children and have incorporated as much as I can into my personal statement, especially how psychological research is tied into parenting, etc. Based upon your experience, am I a suitable applicant for the impacted psychology major? Have you met anyone with similar circumstances, which have been admitted to Berkeley?</p>

<p>All the best.</p>

20

<p>I am a first year CCC student, and am expecting to end my first semester with a 4.0 (only three weeks left of the semester). Berkeley is my dream school and I intend on transferring as an English major- just as you did! Would there be any specific advise you would give to someone wishing to transfer as an English major? I currently coach wrestling at my past high school and have just begun tutoring in a program for underprivileged kids at the Hayward School District.</p>