<p>There’s no reason to get upset over rankings and prestige because they simply don’t matter except to people who lack the confidence in their own abilities and must cling to the coat tails of someone else ;). Several people reject “upper tier” UCs because they are not acceptable schools for them. I even know someone who rejected UCB for SFSU (out of high school and not for money reasons), although she does plan to do her graduate work at UCB.</p>
<p>If you want a good laugh, look at the point differences between rankings. Two schools can be only one point apart, but be 20 places apart in rankings. It’s a flawed system and why no one should pay it much mind. Add to this that UCSC also has the “privilege” of being looked down on for a reason many don’t remember the details of or did not understand: its old grading system. In fact, you’ll still find many who think the narrative evaluation only system is still in effect.</p>
<p>I cannot, unfortunately, give you any kind of answer on your chances of being accepted to UCSC. As long as you meet at least the minimum requirements, then you have a shot of not being rejected. Best thing to have done would have been TAG, but hindsight is 20/20 (and I do not know if you met TAG guidelines at the time you would have needed to file it). They do reject more than qualified candidates. This might be even more noticeable for this year’s acceptances since UCSC made the mistake of over-accepting last year. So many transfers accepted their offers of admission, UCSC was forced to close winter admission as their quota had more than been met.</p>
<p>Just keep your fingers crossed! I’ll keep mine crossed for you as well since I know this is wonderful campus for the right type of person. I fully admit I’m biased since you’re a Literature major ;)</p>
<p>Literature is not currently impacted except for the Creative Writing concentration. It is so highly regarded (along with the rest of the concentrations) on top of being so popular that this is little surprise. However, this could change any year and supplemental application could begin being required for all concentrations. Some of the classes can be difficult to get unless you speak with the department on a regular basis. They are very helpful in giving out codes especially to transfer students.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, transferring in this fall will mean that you will have to meet the new department requirements which include (at minimum) one full year of a language. This requirement is a little more strict than what is required by the UCs for transfer. You do have one less lower division pre-req to take, but one of the upper division requirements is replaced with a new requirement: LIT 102. You cannot take this class until you have completed the language requirement.</p>
<p>You will be able to declare the major after having taken LIT 1. I highly recommend (if you haven’t already) completing this before transfer if at all possible so you can declare as soon as fall quarter begins. It’s so much easier to have this (declaration of one’s major) done as soon as possible as you must have it done by your second quarter anyways.</p>
<p>If you have any further questions about the department, feel free to private message me. This was the second major I decided to add to my schedule for purely fun reasons and I have been greatly enjoying it :)</p>
<p>As an additional suggestion, if you get a chance and are decent with language, take the Egyptian Hieroglyphics course. The beginning class is considered to be upper division and one of the most difficult courses in the Literature Department, but it is an incredible class. On top of being a fun class, it also meets the Pre- and Early Modern concentration and distribution requirements as well as the Intensive major requirements.</p>