I just finished my first quarter at UCLA, intending to apply to the communications major after spring quarter. I’ve wanted to study in this field for as long as I can remember. I worked hard but absolutely bombed ling 1 with a C+, got a B in comm 10 (good grades on the final and midterm, got one of the highest scores on the essay but it was still extremely poor), an A in the comm 89 honors seminar, and presumably an A in ethnomusicology 25. Have the B and C ruined my chances of getting into the program as a sophomore…? Next quarter I’m planning to take Theory of Persausive Communication (with Suman), PIC 10, and Niche LGBTQ Media/Film and TV; should I try to enroll in another lower division pre-requisite (a fourth class) like soc 1 or anthro 33 to raise my GPA even though I already have credit for three of them (comm 10, ling 1 and psych 10)? I’m a little worried it would be too much because I start working in January and have two big time commitments already, but I’m really scared about these grades. I’m trying to graduate in three years (I already have 52 units and have been told by an advisor that it’s possible). The comm admissions committee recently revised selection criteria (or so they say) to focus less on GPA, and more on individual course rigor and written responses. I know it’s extremely competitive, but there is no published data for non-transfer applicants. Does anyone ever recover from this? Has anyone gotten into program with such subpar grades?
Former (long ago) UCLA Comm Studies grad here, so my understanding may be dated though I keep up with a couple of the profs still… Given that these grades were your first quarter of your first year, if your GPA and performance in other pre-reqs is all much better I think you will be fine. If your performance is mixed and you are basically on the GPA borderline for consideration by spring quarter of your Sophomore year, then I think it will work against you. So you’re not wasting your time continuing to pursue Comm Studies but the pressure is on to keep your remaining GPA, particularly in pre reqs high go-forward.
I would also advise you not to just focus on your GPA, which is of course important, but also get to know all your professors. I think every professor of a pre req I had in Comm Studies would have known me by name, even in the super large classes like Comm 10. I asked questions in the large group and went to office hours and asked questions. I did activities that reflected a focus on communications – worked at the Daily Bruin, at the radio station, etc. Getting to know your profs is worthwhile not just for admission to the program but in general. I just had lunch with my old Comm 10 professor the other day, decades later.
Good luck.