I felt this lol I have a 3.18 gpa and also got waitlisted…
I didn’t listen to a counselor that said STEM majors tend to take longer than 2 years and to not to take too many classes… I needed a lot of prerequisites because I didn’t take advantage of many AP classes since I did part of HS in Mexico I ended up realizing I needed to do one more year because I was stressing myself out doing winter, spring, summer, and fall, and getting C’s just to get everything over with. Grades really don’t define you. Everyone assumed that with my work ethic I had like a 4.0 and then I would be like HAHA actually…
(My major is psychology and I got all A’s in those as well as IGETC…my fatal flaw is STEM courses)
EC:
*I am part of UCLA’s CCCP Program and got to take a UC course so I have a 4.0 UC GPA
-currently collaborating with that professor on a book he is writing
*I presented at UCI for HTCC research conference
*Played badminton in college
*Currently doing an Externship with a mental health program at UCLA (STAND part of the Depression Grand Challenge)
*Did a small program where I got to stay at UCSB for a weekend
If you really want to go there I think you have a good chance!! Don’t lose hope!
I’m not sure if you applied to UCLA/UCSD/UCB but SB in particular does not read personal insight questions and it’s unclear if they even read extracurriculars. That being said, at these other schools that take a more holistic approach to transfer admissions like the ones I listed you seem to be a very strong applicant.
Accepted!
Major: Pre-bio (pharmacology)
Prereqs: Finishing my last two this semester
IGETC: Done
60 units: Done
GPA: When applied, 3.783; For TAU, 3.797
EC’s: 7 months of working in customer service, 2 years of teaching middle school students. 2 years board member (leadership) of Psychology Club, 3+ years volunteering for Crisis Text Line, 3+ years serving in my church, and more
Essays: I only loved 1 out of my 3 supplemental essays. My required essay was alright.
Applied: UCB, UCD, UCI, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, USC (1st choice), Pitzer, Purdue, Penn State, SUNY Binghamton, Stony Brook, Fordham, and some more
Accepted: UCI, UCSB, Purdue, Penn State, SUNY Binghamton, Stony Brook
Rejected: none so far
Pending: UCB, UCD (TAG was approved), UCLA, UCSD, USC, Pitzer, Fordham
UCSB says “UCSB considers 9 holistic review factors to review your achievements and personal qualities in the context of the opportunities and/or challenges you have experienced.”
Within those 9 holistic factors are the following. I don’t see how they can be considered without reading the personal insight and EC responses
Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate your promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your college curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.
yeah its a rumor that they dont read them lol. Kids here take what is said on the internet as ultimate facts. If it was only up to GPA, they’d have a GPA cutoff lol
It’s not a rumor. It’s explicitly stated on page 45 of the Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions published August 2020. However, I have found one instance where its information conflicts with that on Berkeley’s transfer admissions page.
I have a student in the same situation. He TAG UCSB and gets reject! I check many times about TAG and major requirements and he meets all of them. So I emailed to UCSB Admission ask why yesterday also attached the transcript. You know what, they sent an email with apologies and change the decision to “accept” just now!!!
Thanks for the info! My daughter also TAG UCSB and got a reject (she has GPA 3.95 and I believe all requirements). I will get her to email UCSB Admissions (I had e-mailed them, and they said she needs to do that). I hope what happened to your student will happen to my daughter.
I didn’t know they could do that