<p>I’m planning on transferring to one of the UCs as an electrical engineering major. At this point, by the end of this spring quarter, I’ll have completed my pre-reqs and IGETC. Two of my close friends also want to major in math/econ, so I have some expertise on that major as well in terms of college acceptance. To start off I’ll answer some of the basics first as best as I can.</p>
<p>High school grades and SAT/ACT are not factored into your application, in fact it isn’t even asked for. Your high school transcript is required though if you already have been accepted, reasons being mostly for the records of secondary language fulfillment (if you did not take 2 courses in your respective community college). However, if you did do AP tests or IB exams, those are factored in and are asked for in your application process for UCs. So simply, your high school records don’t matter.</p>
<p>Also you should note, schools do not ask for your 3 top majors, they ask for 2. Primary and secondary/alternative. Generally speaking it isn’t too common that if you didn’t get your primary choice, that you’ll get your alternative instead. So by putting your alternative choice, it’s not some sort of thing like “if I fail to get this major, at least I can get in with this one!”. It is only a half-truth. Most of the time they will reject you admittance flat out if you didn’t get in your first primary major listed.</p>
<p>TAP for majors outside of college of letters and science is practically ignored, however for math/econ which is in the college of letters and science, TAP is very useful. Unfortunately for engineering, it’s pretty much useless.</p>
<p>IGETC is useful in general, but not required at all for engineering majors. The only requirement, like you stated, is for UCSD. So it’s a choice really dependent on your time. If you have the time to fulfill IGETC courses, then do it, if not, you will still need to take some general ed classes, but overall should stick with your core engineering requirements.</p>
<p>As for how the schools determine the over 90 semester unit limit, I am not too sure. All i know is that the classes that do transfer are used in units, the rest is just subject credit.</p>
<p>If you really worry about your GPA and want to get into first tier UC (UCSD, UCLA, UCB), then math/econ is a considerably easier path. The reason being is that from personal experience, it doesn’t get any easier. Your GPA will keep on falling down as you take more physics and more math. Where as with more general ed classes to buffer your grade as a math/econ, it will raise.</p>
<p>Word of advice: Don’t try to put everything on your plate, stick with one thing when trying to transfer and do it well. Universities don’t like it when they see a disorganized scattered course listing on your transcript. It only makes sense that if you apply as an engineering major first, you take more classes specific to it. Being an engineer isn’t the only way to make a difference in the world. Also, did you know, only about 2% of engineers major actually become design engineers? Many go into sales even or other areas, especially entrepreneurship. Your career is not indefinitely bound by your major. The education system is a game, not a life. Play it well and then when it is done make your positive impact on the world regardless of what your major is.</p>