UCLA film major competitiveness + early bad grades

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hello, couple of questions.

So, I am a Film Major currently enrolled here at Columbia College, California, looking to transfer to UCLA. Before I attended Columbia full time I took 3 classes at Columbia my sophomore year of High School to “get ahead” while taking advanced placement classes as well. Me being me, I didn’t take into consideration how difficult College would be then, I ended up failing just about all of them (ended up not doing any of the work thinking I’ll be “dropped” out of the classes). Also me, I was unaware / didn’t know at the time that they would carry on over to my College transcript.

So, going into Columbia after I graduated from High School I had three failed classes on my record, was on academic probation because of so, though I ended up retaking / passing all of those failed courses, got off of academic probation, and have / will have completed my IGETC with a 3.75 GPA which is great. Only my IGETC / GED by the way.

Though, I am curious of whether when I apply to UCLA that they’ll look at the classes that I failed / being on academic probation? Giving me a lesser chance of getting into their film program. Already having a slim chance as it is. Would also like to note that I have little to no pre requisites completed due to my College not offering ANY classes related to film.

How will that affect my chances in getting in?

By the way I am VERY confident in my writing capabilities / essays (i.e life challenge, personal essay, creative essay, etc.) so I am not too worried about that. If I do get rejected, I initially plan on updating / making them the best that they can be to reapply in the future but I more worried about my academic achievements.

Would more just like to know what I should know / need to get accepted into UCLA’s Film program.

Appreciate ANY response, applying for my BA, undergrad, by the way.

Best regards,
Daisy

2

You retook them so you should be fine. Just note in the application under additional comments that you weren’t ready for the college classes in high school.

3

@cadstricler On the UC Application I remember there was a very specific question in the Academics section that asked whether you have ever been on Academic Probation, so UCLA will know about your probation status, although if you repeated the classes you should be fine.
Realistically, the Film major at UCLA is outrageously competitive and only accepts a handful of transfer applicants each year, with the most competitive applicants being the ones who will have all the major prep done, a great GPA, relevant extracurriculars related to Film, and must pass an interview process. Since you mentioned that you will not have any major prep classes done (even if your college doesnt offer any), you will be disadvantaged when applying as a Film major and the chances of getting accepted would be very slim.
You mentioned that you are a very strong writer, so I would like to suggest an alternative: Have you thought about majoring in a non-impacted major such as History, American Literature, Philosophy, or European/Asian/Chicano Studies and then MINORING in Film when you get accepted to UCLA? There are actually many students who have taken this path because they know that the acceptance rate into the Film school is so difficult, whereas some of these non-impacted majors can have a roughly 60% acceptance rate. Since you will have your IGETC done, it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle to fulfill most of the major prep for these non-impacted majors (i.e Pre-History only has 3 major classes required), which will give you a really great shot of getting into UCLA, after which you could add on the Film minor.