<p>I thought i’d add a bit of my perspective on this issue. I’ve been through the UC-UC transferring process. First: UCLA puts CC and UC transfers on the same plane, so its not impossible to get to the ‘top’ UCs. I got into UCLA from UCSC as a math/econ major, and if youre interested in transferring the best thing to do is look at the stats they post about admissions, then see how competitive your major would be. Example: Math/econ transfer admit rate is 65% or so, so it wasn’t a huge improbability i’d get in with a 3.7. </p>
<p>Now, while i was at UCSC i had those thoughts like ‘this school isn’t serious enough’, or ‘maybe i’m better than UCSC, maybe overqualified’. As i always felt like i was one of the more serious students in my classes, not the only, but still i felt as if there weren’t tons of serious people like myself. </p>
<p>Now that i’m at UCLA, i can tell you, there are these people everywhere. There are insanely smart people at UCSC, and insanely stupid people here at UCLA.</p>
<p>Secondly, the grass is always greener. Im not joking. When i was at UCSC i only wanted to get to UCLA, and i thought i’d have it made. Truth is UCLA is not only ridiculously hard, but it’s not a very friendly campus. You have one of the biggest student populations all going to the SMALLEST UC (area). It’s way crowded. Looking back, i have no idea what i was so unhappy with. </p>
<p>University is what you make of it. I was getting A’s at UCSC, and i really felt i was getting a good education in my major classes. Econ professors were really really good, and many are very accomplished, and you get to have the environment of UCSC where professors actually give a **** about you. Mind you, i have a great, friendly professor here at UCLA, but i’m in a class with people who are wayyyyy above the curve, and are always competing to be the best, and that’s not really me. </p>
<p>What i’m trying to say is, REAAALLY evaluate why you want to transfer. I had a solid group of friends, and left that all behind, and i felt like that was a mistake. UCSC is a great place to do your undergraduate degree. Example: I’d be able to graduate UCSC with ~3.8 GPA from UCSC, whereas here i’d probably graduate with something lower than 3.4, who knows? Showing youre a strong student at UCSC speaks for itself, especially in the really respected departments (Econ, Astronomy, etc). </p>
<p>Are you dreaming of a ‘college experience’? Because it’s not all that great. At UCSC i was able to go surfing, hiking, play a ton of basketball (still do that here). What i’m saying, is you need to take into consideration quality of life. If you’re comfortable, have buddies you’re close with, why leave??</p>
<p>For undergrad, your schools name wont matter a whole lot (meaning if you plan on going to grad school). </p>
<p>I called UCLA a “top” UC because yeah its top in the rankings, but i really felt like i was learning in a better way at UCSC. You have professors that are extremely approachable, classmates who aren’t trying to one-up each other, and best of all, there is a very low amount of bros/sorostitutes at UCSC. </p>
<p>I may be leaving UCLA in order to return to UCSC in the spring, i think that UCSC is a great place to be once you find your place.</p>