Hello everyone, I am wondering if can get a bit of advice in regards to my chances of getting into a UC as a Fall 16 transfer. Specifically UC Santa Cruz as a human biology major. I currently have a 2.4 gpa (I know thats bad but im working on it). By the end of Fall 15 with some hard work and maybe a little bit of luck I will have 2.69 (16 units with all A’s). Still not the best but maybe I have a chance? By the end of spring 16 I will have completed the biology and math prerequisites along with half of the chem and half of the physics. I also have all my IGETC competed. Thanks in advance, I greatly appreciate it.
The average admitted transfer GPA at UCSC is 3.41.
Source: http://admissions.ucsc.edu/apply/parents-and-guardians/prospective-students/facts.html
UCSC had a 32% admit rate in 2014 for CCC transfers with a GPA between a 2.40 and a 2.79. That number is still only 52% for GPAs between 2.8 and 3.19.
Source: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfer-admissions-summary
Given your provided numbers…that places you at around 72 units completed?
You’ll be below the average admitted GPA even if you stay two additional years with straight A’s. Your best shot is probably completing all the remaining major prerequisites and relying on an upward trend rather than overall GPA.
Can you make up any failing grades? Doing so will replace the old grade in GPA calculations.
(If you failed a class and then got an A, your GPA will only count the A, not the A and the F)
Also, have you taken any non-transferable courses? If so, they will not be counted towards your GPA. If not, then never mind.
Thank you guys for the information @goldencub and @SDGoldenBear. I’ve never had any F’ or D’s i just have alot of C’s. Is it possible to retake those over?
Unfortunately, those Cs are with you forever…
Have you looked at the non impacted or, your ‘local’ CSU?
Biology is a popular major, meaning more competitive. You can look at the Profile of Admitted Transfer Students for UCLA to get an idea of major competitiveness by their admitted GPA. (See below.)
For biology at UCLA, the average GPA admit is 3.72.
While certainly the admitted GPA for UCSC will be substantially lower, you might want to look at UCLA majors that have lower GPA admits and consider applying to one of those, if you like it. The popularity of majors will stay fairly consistent across campuses.
You may or may not be able to switch majors after acceptance - usually a less competitive major is doable, and you will have better luck if requirements are completed, but I cannot guarantee what they will say. You may have trouble transferring to bio, but there may be other options. It is always wise to choose a major you can live with, in case it doesn’t pan out.
Students do get admitted with lower than average GPAs but you will have way more luck applying to less competitive majors, IMHO.
https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof14_mjr.htm
@lindyk8 Thanks for the info. what CSU do you recommend for a bio major? ive done a bit of research and im looking more into sfsu or sjsu.
Sorry, I know nothing about CSU. However, if you really want bio, still apply. Consider riverside and Merced too, if they appeal to you. You just never know. The UCs are holistic, so they take other aspects into consideration.
CSU’s with good Biology programs would be Cal Poly SLO and Pomona, SDSU and CSULB. Most CSU’s will have comparable Bio programs, but comparing the different CSU Bio programs might help determine any specific concentration of study.
With a 2.4 GPA, your options are somewhat limited but, there several of doors open to you. Less selective and non-impacted CSUs are your best bet. Take a look at Humboldt, Monterey, Sonoma and Sacramento in N Cal and San Bernardino, San Marcos and Channel Islands in S Cal.
UNR will profitably work too.
Good luck