Unit Cap and Prerequisite Dilemma

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hey everyone! Lurked here for a while searching threads, finally decided to post for the first time. I've always found this community to be very helpful so I'd appreciate any input. I'll start with a little background.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Attended a private 4 year university from fall 2006 to spring 2007. Life's problems piled on and I left with very poor grades</p></li>
<li><p>Without really making a game plan, I petitioned classes from fall 2007 to fall 2008 at a Cal State via open university and did much better</p></li>
<li><p>Ended up at a CCC (in and out from 2008 to present) where I have since held a pretty high GPA with aspirations to transfer to a UC</p></li>
</ol>

<p>All 3 schools use the semester system.</p>

<p>My worries revolve around the units I've aimlessly accumulated. First off, I'm still not sure which units count towards the unit cap, and which towards the minimum. In other words, do F's and W's not count towards the 90 unit cap the same way they don't count towards the 60 unit transfer minimum? If I got an F or D in a 3 unit course, then retook the class and got an A, do I count that as 3 units or 6 units towards my total? I hear conflicting answers, unfortunately even from school counselors.</p>

<p>Now the dilemma I face is whether I should prioritize the unit cap over prerequisites. Remember that I piled on units before deciding what to do with my life, so I'm very close to 90 units (if not more, it's hard to count) without completing major prerequisites. I applied to UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and UCSB as a Sociology major. At UCI, a Psychology major with a Psychology and Social Behavior alternate.</p>

<p>With everything I've read here about how UCB and UCLA treat caps I may already be out, so UCI would be my next favorite. I can complete some of UCI's prerequisites this spring and still be two classes short, but it will take me well over 90 units. Are the majors I chose at UCI impacted in a way where I should be looking to finish every prerequisite no matter what? Should I minimize my units to keep a small shot at UCB and UCLA? How about the other schools?</p>

<p>Again, a big variable would be what units will count since eliminating units I think count now would make room for more prerequisites. So if anybody feels they can help me get an idea for what courses don't transfer, I can post them here or via PM.</p>

<p>Thanks for everything in advance!</p>

2

<p>If you’re applying to a major in the college of letters and science and you have LESS than 80 units before you enroll at a CC then your CC units don’t count toward a unit cap for UCB, UCLA, and UCI. Only your private and CSU units will be considered toward the cap so as long as they were less than 80 units combined you should be fine. The only UC’s you really have to worry about a unit cap for would be UCSD, UCSB, and UCSC who all don’t admit students that have accumulated more than 90 units of four year and CC credit.</p>

<p>See page 14 here for details:
<a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors;

<p>Like you said a big variable is which units transfer from your time at the two four year universities. Not all of your units are likely to be transferable coming from a private and CSU, so you’ll likely have less but I doubt if anyone here can really tell you just which courses are or aren’t transferable. To get an idea of what classes would be transferable and what wouldn’t you’d have to call one of the UC admission offices and go over your transcript with an admission officer, although they may not be able to give you a definitive answer. As far as I understand, their process is that they first look to see if anyone has applied before from those schools and transferred any of the courses you’re applying with. Then for the rest they basically look at the course description and make a judgment call at the time they review your app. </p>

<p>Non-passing grades and withdraws should not count toward your unit cap and if you replace them will only be considered as the normal amount of units that the course counts for not double. In terms of units, I would prioritize pre-reqs regardless because they’re such an important factor in admission. If you’re shooting for UCLA or UCB, know that the average GPA for a Sociology major was 3.70 last year at UCLA, so you’ll want to be near that. UCB doesn’t release admission stats, but their average admitted GPA for the college of L&S was a 3.77 last year. So just be aware you’ll probably want to be near a 3.7+ having factored in your previous grades from the private and CSU. So just based on that I’m guessing you’ll need near a perfect 4.0 CC GPA to bring your cumulative GPA near there.</p>

3

<p>UC course repeat policies can fill a bookshelf if you get into the details. I have the most commonly encountered situations (as determined by the UCs) documented at [Ms</a>. Sun’s UC Admissions Blog - UC Nitty Gritty Transfer-y](<a href=“Error”>Error). In terms of the unit cap, the Transfer Q&A document referenced by dilapidatedmind is still current. However, at the UC Counselor Conference back in September (of 2012), UC Office of the President had indicated that they were working on a systemwide policy. Based on the discussion (and preliminary rules flashed on the screen and taken off quickly as to not incite panic; but of course they always post their presentations, so you can go to <a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors; and look at slide 8, and panic), the policy may become more or less restrictive depending on the UC campus; something to keep in mind as you plan your coursework.</p>