UCI to UCLA? Some questions

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hi, I'm at UCI about to go into the spring quarter of my first year...I know its still a bit further down the road but I want to plan for the application soon. First of all, I just want to be clear that I'm really thankful for all the help I can get, but I really don't want to hear any of that stuff about how I should really go to a CCC and how difficult it is to do a UC-UC transfer. I understand that there are extreme odds against me but I'm perfectly fine with being at UCI if it doesn't work out :) I understand that CCC students get priority and all that good stuff. </p>

<p>So a bit about me: I've been thinking lately that UCI is an awesome school but I'm not really feeling the city itself. It's not that Irvine is a bad place to live, its just that it gets kind of stale. I feel spoiled living here and I want to go somewhere with a little more culture perhaps (?). Of course, UCLA is a fit and it was my dream school in HS. I'm a biology major coming off of an 18 unit quarter. Leaning towards Pre-Med but with an interest in general bio. I'm really willing to explore the major some more. Grades came out today and my GPA took a dip from a 3.9 to a 3.86. What I'm looking at for spring is Math 2B (math is my weakness), Chem 1C (+ lab), and WR39C. While I know that I'll be less strapped for time with only 14 units now, the classes will probably be more difficult. I'm especially worried about writing and chem lab because those can get a bit unpredictable for me. What I want to know is, if I take a slight dip again after spring, and assume I take another slight dip after fall '11 (O-chem's on deck...), to maybe about a 3.7-3.8ish, will I have a fighting chance at a transfer into UCLA Biology or Microbiology/Immunology (my alternate)? </p>

<p>While I am worried about GPA's, I'm more concerned about prerequisites. UCLA is specifically requesting transfer applicants for life science majors to take one year of Bio with lab, one year of chem with lab, and one year of calculus. I know that they're rather strict about this. What I'm most concerned about is calculus. When UCLA says one year of calculus, do they mean 3 quarters? I've only passed 2A (basically limits and derivatives) and I'm hoping to pass 2B (integration I think?) the coming quarter. Still, I'd rather avoid taking Math 2D (multivariable) if possible as I'm no hot-shot in math (as a bit of a side note, will doing 2D help me with Physics down the line?). However, if I do have to take it, I will try to do LARC and everything possible to get a good grade but I need to plan now. I guess in other words, is the first two semesters of calculus at UCLA equivalent to Math 2A/2B at UCI? This question is more directed to former UCI students who have successfully transfered to UCLA but I appreciate all input.</p>

<p>I have similar questions about Biology with lab and Chemistry with lab. I did not take Chem 1A at UCI (they didn't let me because I got a 4 on the AP test). If I've completed Chem 1B and will complete 1C, will I have satisfied the one year of General Chem requirement for UCLA? I'm also worried about the lab portion of the requirements. I believe that I will be taking my first Bio Lab (100L) by the END of my 2nd year. None of the bio courses I have taken so far have had a lab. So will I have satisfied one year of Biology with lab? </p>

<p>My next concern is about GE's so maybe its not as important. I understand that there is a UC Reciprocity agreement for UC - UC transfers. My question is, do I have to finish the single UPPER DIVISION writing course required as part of UCI's GE's to be eligible for reciprocity? To my knowledge, I believe that only lower division GE's must be completed before transfer but I've heard that a few transfer students from UCI encountered problems with getting in when their upper division writing didn't transfer. Also, if I say that I will complete reciprocity on the application, but things don't work out, how will it affect me?</p>

<p>Another thing I want to note is that they recommend taking 2 semesters of O-chem with only one required, and I will be completing a year due to UCI's requirements. Will this somewhat be a balancing factor against the fact that I maybe did not complete a year of calc? I also know that they are recommending a year of physics but that is highly unlikely for me since my counselors are specifically telling me not to do that. It's supposedly detrimental to the GPA when combined with O-chem. Also, what should the extent of my EC's be? I will have more free time to be involved this quarter since I no longer have 18 units. I have been basically doing no EC's for the last 2 quarters and I feel kind of horrible about it. I'm looking towards summer for building up some experience too. UCLA will be the only school I'm applying to so what would be an advantageous way in which I can work this into the personal statements? Finally, will CCC courses be factored into my GPA for application?</p>

<p>To conclude, I'm not really depending on this transfer. I probably sound really stressed out but I will be absolutely fine either way. The one thing I DON'T want to happen is to not make sure every single option is open to me. I might not even want to transfer by the time applications come about but just incase I do, I wan't to make sure I'm making the right preparations. I don't want any regrets you know? I just don't want to make it seem like I'm hating my life and need to get out, because that's not true. I'm only scared of regret not failure. I hope people can relate to this :/ I will probably discuss all this with a UCLA admin counselor as well as a UCI counselor when the time comes to apply, but I want to get early opinions from the community over here. I know this thread is calling for a tall order but I really need ANY help because all this is a confusing process. It's a long battle so I might be posting future questions here as well. Thanks again :) I apologize for this....pseudo-essay.</p>

2

<p>Take bio 93-99. </p>

<p>I don’t think they will be offering bio 100L anymore at UCI after this year. I don’t think you have to take any lab since LS 1-4 at UCLA don’t have lab associated with it either.</p>

<p>Finish 1 year of calculus. Yes, that means 2A 2B and 2D.</p>

<p>I don’t recommend taking physics. You will kill yourself with that load your sophomore year. A majority of UC students take physics their junior/senior year anyways. So I wouldn’t worry about that for TRANSFERRING.<br>
HOWEVER, I recommend taking your physics this summer for the MCAT. This is so you will be prepared for your MCAT by the summer of your sophomore year. If you plan take your junior/senior year then you will be studying for the MCAT while taking physics. So yeah THIS summer is the best time to take it.</p>

<p>Finish the whole year of o-chem. This will give you an advantage for transferring. You also kind of have to take it since the co-req for biochem is o-chem 2.</p>

<p>Try to finish bio and chem pre-reqs first.
Math and English next.
GE and physics last.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about extracurricular. Just do something. Doesn’t have to be extraordinary. I would focus on finishing your pre-reqs and doing well in them.</p>

3

<p>Wow did not know that about lab. Hmm…for Calculus…that’s what I was afraid of but I guess it’ll be doable with effort. I will absolutely not be taking Physics this summer because I simply cannot afford to :frowning: So I guess I will just have to take physics while preparing for the MCAT. Which series should I take BTW? Physics 3 or 7? Thanks for the info.</p>

4

<p>Hi again, I just checked LS 1-2 at UCLA and it says that they actually do have lab (and a field trip wtheck UCI?). So like…will I just have to deal with not having the bio prereqs done? I really don’t see HOW I would possibly satisfy the requirement…even partially if they are cutting 100L like you’ve said and I absolutely cannot enroll in upper div. labs so early. I really need an answer on the upper division writing thing too.</p>

5

<p>Hi, sorry to raise this from the dead again but today, while exploring my fantasies and researching a possible (most likely not) second B.S. degree in the Computer Science major (Bren school), I came across this interesting tidbit of info: </p>

<p><a href=“http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/1268/screenshot20110407at111.png[/url]”>http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/1268/screenshot20110407at111.png&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>So I know it’s not an answer from UCLA, but is it possible that this will exempt me from taking 2D? Would I have to contact UCLA to get a definite answer or does someone who transfered from UCI actually know the math requirement?</p>

6

<p>I’m getting a bit nervous and bringing this back for some help. Anyone? My GPA has dipped (expectedly) into the low, 3.8 range after Spring grades. I’m facing fall quarter with Ochem and some garden variety Biology. Any help is much appreciated.</p>

7

<p>^
Just do the best you can. Sophomore year is going to be more tough than freshman so I would prepare for that. If you don’t get into UCLA, it is no biggie. I would focus more on doing well on your MCAT and grades than trying to transfer.</p>

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<p>[Undergraduate</a> Study](<a href=“http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog11-12-548.htm#450368144_pgfId-1013073]Undergraduate”>http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/catalog11-12-548.htm#450368144_pgfId-1013073)</p>

<p>Bio at UCLA take 31A, 31A, and 32B = single and multivariable calculus like 2A 2B and 2D at UCI.</p>

<p>Or they take 3A, 3B, and 3C = single variable calculus and statistics like 2A 2B and 7 at UCI.</p>

<p>The answer was a little though lol.</p>

8

<p>If you are doing intercampus transfer, you need to complete the lower-division requirements for UCI to obtain UC Reciprocity, which will exempt you from lower-division requirements at UCLA. Major prerequisites should typically transfer, but there is no specific written rules about how they are evaluated (although you should complete as many as you can to be competitive for admission evaluation).</p>

9

<p>Thank you both for the informative answers. </p>

<p>@iTransfer, I cannot help but be a bit tripped up with Calculus still. Are you saying that I should be fine or that I should still try to get 2D in before academic year’s end (referring to your earlier post). I ask because I have finished 2A and 2B in addition to having earned credit for AP Statistics. However, I believe I only earned credit for UCI (I got a 3 on the AP test) but I’m not sure if UCLA views a 3 in the same light. </p>

<p>For anyone else who wants to give me a tip or two in the application process, this is where I’m at:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Hoping for a 3.6-3.8 GPA by the end of Fall 11 (current GPA stands at a 3.82 so basically, HOPING to maintain or increase slightly)</p></li>
<li><p>I have finished every G.E. course except the 2 upper division Writing courses required by UCI and one Category IV G.E. (which I will DEFINITELY be passing with a B or A in Fall)</p></li>
<li><p>I am missing (off of UCLA’s list of perquisites for transfers) a full year of Calculus (I have 2 quarters) and Biology (just missing the ‘Lab’ component of the pre-req)</p></li>
<li><p>EC’s are nearly none. I joined one club, was interested, but completed no volunteer work.</p></li>
<li><p>Awards are just as bleak; the only thing I think of is that I was on the Dean’s list and that I won a Scholarship during the summer.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Short of making a full Chance thread, I’m hoping this will give me some direction before the hectic application process starts. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help and to anyone who has helped so much already.</p>