UC rescind, now CCC-bound. PoliSci, Econ, or Business major. Where do I go from here?

Transfer Students
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<p>Hi all. I'll try to be as candid as possible, but it's still difficult for me to put everything into words at the moment.</p>

<p>I screwed up in a rather spectacular manner the last year of my high school. Essentially had two subjects my first semester that I failed out of, then decided to try and retake at a CCC. Didn't work out too well; ended up with two subjects passed with A's and five W's. Presumably since what I put on my application is completely different from what I took (and withdrew), I was rescinded from the UC I was admitted to for Fall '06.</p>

<p>[Why the drop-off in grades: Psychological/sleep-related issues. Still under treatment/supervision by a psychologist as well; have documentation for proof if necessary.]</p>

<p>This fall, I'l be attending the CCC---and I want to get out as soon as I can. I'll have 21 units coming in fall quarter and have set up a schedule to complete what I need by the end of one academic year.</p>

<p>Of course, this means I need to reapply this fall to the UC's. I'll be joining the Honors program at my CCC this fall. My current transcript has four A's, one C, and five W's (summer '05 class I took as a high school student); 3.6 GPA. This should be up to around a 3.7-3.8 GPA by the end of fall quarter, in time for private applications. I'll most likely retake my SAT's for private applications; I took them once as a HS student and scored a 2010.</p>

<p>In terms of extracurriculars: I have zero work experience at the moment, although I'm looking into relevant internships. I've been a member of Key Club for years (and continued onto Circle K once I started attending my CCC). I've lead my own group/attempted to start an NPO during my junior year, though admittedly failed. Volunteer at the local Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army. ASB, choir, yearbook, etc etc.</p>

<p>I really apologize for my rather incoherent and unclear manner at the moment; I'm kind of a mess right now trying to figure things out. I have a load of questions, and would really be thankful for any help that can be provided.</p>

<p>1) As the common question always seems to be here, what are my chances as an applicant this fall? I'll take what I can get---I'd prefer to be in a business program, but I'll go into PoliSci or Econ if the admission is easier. I'll be applying into a law school or MBA program afterward.</p>

<p>I know a lot of what I'll list are far reaches; please be honest and let me know so I can adjust accordingly. Suggestions for matches and reaches (BU? UM?) are also appreciated.</p>

<p>UCs: UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCD
Private: Stanford, UPenn, NYU, SCU, USC</p>

<p>2) UC-related: How essential is IGETC? I've figured out a pattern that can satisfy the prerequisites for UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and UCD PoliSci and Econ. The problem is that it leaves no room for me to be certified by IGETC.</p>

<p>3) Is there any way to strike my record as an HS student attending this CCC and start fresh? At least then I'll be able to build a solid foundation and go from there.</p>

<p>4) Very shortly, I will no longer be financially supported by my parents. To say I'm going to need financial aid is an understatement. Is this going to hurt my chances at certain private universities?</p>

<p>5) More so directed at UCB/UPenn: Is it possible to transfer in undeclared/into L&S, then transfer again into Haas/Wharton?</p>

<p>6) What can I do to boost my chances everywhere? I'm at a loss because of the time crunch I'm in. It's slightly comforting to know that the absolute worst case scenario would leave me with a TAA to one of the second-tier UC's, but I want to aim far above that.</p>

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<p>"1) As the common question always seems to be here, what are my chances as an applicant this fall? I'll take what I can get---I'd prefer to be in a business program, but I'll go into PoliSci or Econ if the admission is easier. I'll be applying into a law school or MBA program afterward."</p>

<p>For privates: w/ a 3.7, SCU and USC business should be safety/matches as long as you meet all requirements. Take note that their econ & poli sci dept are easier to get into so you'll have an even better shot w/ those.</p>

<p>Not sure about NYU or econ/poli sci at upenn but upenn's wharton school of business will be quite a reach, if not impossible. Stanford should be a reach no matter what dept you go for. I was under the impression that you need a 4.0 from a CCC to even be considered. However, some guy from my CCC got in w/ a 3.7 gpa. He had tons of EC's, was an int'l student, and cam efrom a CCC feeder to Stanford.</p>

<p>For UC's: UCB Haas is a reach, even w/ a 4.0. You need tons of EC's. Have you looked into their lower-div requirements? They are pretty specific so if you're considering Haas, you should check that out ASAP. UCLA has no ugrad business but has a business econ that most busi-minded kids are into. It is competitive but if you sign a TAP agreement w/ you CC, you should be set (as long as you meet al req.s). Not sure if UCSD or UCD have business prog's.</p>

<p>I got into UCB econ w/ a 3.7. I got deferred until Sp07, though. Had lots of work experience but no EC's (except for a couple clubs). My friends got into Econ & PoliSci for Fall 06 w/ 3.8-4.0. Not much work experience of EC's, from what i know. But they put time & effort into essays. Again, if you sign TAP w/ ucla, you should get in (95% certainty) as long as you play by the rules. I heard that for UCSD, as long as you have above a 3.41, you're in (unless youre going for a capped major like EE)</p>

<p>"2) UC-related: How essential is IGETC? I've figured out a pattern that can satisfy the prerequisites for UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and UCD PoliSci and Econ. The problem is that it leaves no room for me to be certified by IGETC."</p>

<p>You NEED IGETC (or an equivalent approved by the university's college). Talk to your counselor and get something worked out ASAP.</p>

<p>"3) Is there any way to strike my record as an HS student attending this CCC and start fresh? At least then I'll be able to build a solid foundation and go from there."</p>

<p>different ccc's have different policies regarding this. i had a similar issue as i took courses at my ccc during the summers of my middle school/ hs years. Unfortunately, my CCC has a plicy where it will only perform academic renewal once and the quarters have to be one after the other. So, I was only able to wipe away one summer quarter worth of bad grades. Again, talk to your counselor.</p>

<p>"4) Very shortly, I will no longer be financially supported by my parents. To say I'm going to need financial aid is an understatement. Is this going to hurt my chances at certain private universities?"</p>

<p>Can't help you with this one. Sorry.</p>

<p>"5) More so directed at UCB/UPenn: Is it possible to transfer in undeclared/into L&S, then transfer again into Haas/Wharton?"</p>

<p>Haas... no, definately not. Wharton... don't know, probably not.</p>

<p>"6) What can I do to boost my chances everywhere? I'm at a loss because of the time crunch I'm in. It's slightly comforting to know that the absolute worst case scenario would leave me with a TAA to one of the second-tier UC's, but I want to aim far above that."</p>

<p>Work your ass off on improving you GPA and have a good essay going (don't procrastinate on this). With a spectacular essay that gets into the right hands... almost anything is possible. I don't think EC's help much... atleast not for UC's.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

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<p>"3) Is there any way to strike my record as an HS student attending this CCC and start fresh? At least then I'll be able to build a solid foundation and go from there."</p>

<p>To the OP, if you're not able to get academic reknewal, you can still play these bad grades to your advantage. Point being, UCs love upward trends so make sure to capitalize on your rise to academic stardom in your personal statements. </p>

<p>Good Luck Yo :D</p>

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<p>Thanks for the replies so far, guys. Been more help than the CCC counselors I've been seeing. Anyway, this opens up three more questions for me--hope you don't mind.</p>

<p>1) From what I can see. my CCC offers the option of striking a quarter provided it meets certain conditions. The problem is that academic renewal revokes your honors status (not to mention I would have to fight to strike a passing grade, though I have grounds for a case based on their conditions).</p>

<p>So the option becomes:
Current: 3.6 honors v. 4.0 non-h
At time of transfer: ~3.9 max honors v. 4.0 max non-h</p>

<p>Which would be more desirable?</p>

<p>2) I see that SCU/USC Business is an option. (Thanks for that, btw.) Is it possible then to transfer from either school into Haas/Wharton/a different business program? How difficult would the process be?</p>

<p>3) I'm considering a gap year now to try and regain focus (as well as get more work experience/do more community service). In short, I'm considering City Year. Any opinions on the program?</p>

<p>As always, all replies are much appreciated. Thank you!</p>