Unusual Circumstances - Applying for UCLA/UCB

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hey all! Having looked through as much of these threads as possible, I'm still unsure about my chances for UCLA/UCB. I'm hoping someone here can provide a little insight. </p>

<p>I was home schooled for the entirety of my education, having just graduated this year. (From an unconventional program, even for home schooling standards — severe religious and political fundamentalism) My first semester at CCC was back in Fall 2006 when I was only 12 years old. At the time, I wasn't aware of how important my GPA would be and consistently slacked off, resulting in a very deficient GPA. (2.295) (3 F's, 1 D, 3 B's, 6 A's)</p>

<p>This current semester is my first semester of CCC post-high school and I'm determined to do well here. As far as the semester goes, I am doing well and will receive an A in the single course that I am enrolled in. There were severe health complications with my father that prevented me from taking a full term this semester. (Health complications that I can't guarantee won't get in the way of my scheduling again.) I do however, plan on taking a full course load every subsequent semester. </p>

<p>I will petition for academic renewal once I have reached the required successful units completed. (For the college at which I am petitioning, it is 24.) As well as becoming TAP Certified and graduating with my A.A. My goal GPA is 3.7 - 3.8 </p>

<p>Some of my EC's include - Chairman of a City Commission, Assistant Camp Director to a Boy Scout day camp, V.P to the local C.A.R chapter, as well as 500+hours of volunteer work at local organizations and events. In the future I plan to work with organizations that are relevant to my interests/desired major. </p>

<p>I am a double major in Sociology* and French with intended minors in Human Rights (UCB) and LGBT Studies (UCLA) </p>

<p>My main concerns stem from having been home schooled. Will these schools look into/know that about me unless I explicitly state it? Should I mention it as a way to clarify why I have transcripts that date back to 2006? Will that matter at all either? Upward Trend has been mentioned numerous times on these boards, so I imagine that I will have that to my advantage — At least regarding the holistic approach that UCB takes. </p>

<p>I'm just looking for some realism regarding my admission probability. Will I face any curveballs regarding my circumstance. How badly will it inhibit me, if at all? What are some things that I should definitely work on to improve my prospects of admission. Thank you so much!</p>

<p>*I am also unfortunately aware that Sociology is a highly impacted major at UCLA.</p>

2

<p>Your case is unusual. The best thing to do is talk to an academic counselor at your schools of choice. Also, begin the process of creating a track record now and prepare for standardized testing (SAT and ACT). What the schools look for is consistency and proven aptitude to handle their level of academics. Also, use your essays to weave a compelling story that will grab their attention. With regard to the GPA… You gotta prove to them that you can handle the work that means creating some kind of track record. F’s and D’s at a CC at 12 years old? Not sure if that will impact anything at all.</p>

3

<p>I thought that SAT/ACT test scores weren’t required when transferring to a UC? I haven’t, and wasn’t planning on taking either test - I figured it was irrelevant at this point. Is there any reason why they would make an exception and specifically require them?</p>

4

<p>Your homeschooling is definitely unusual and is something you should explain. If I were you, I would include this in your personal statement when it comes time to transfer. Providing that you are successful at your CCC from now on, you would have an excellent shot of standing out from the pack and getting into the school of your choice.</p>

5

<p>SAT/ACT aren’t required and the UCs don’t look for it at all, at least for transfer applicants. I have no idea why Osakadad said that, maybe got confused with the [high school?] forums. If you petition for academic renewal and it gets accepted/done you don’t have to explain your situation at all, and you’ll most likely get accepted because UCs take the higher grade of a repeated course.</p>

6

<p>I stand corrected. Transfer students do not need to take the SAT or ACT. I was thinking that you were an entering freshman. My bad…</p>

7

<p>No worries, OsakaDad! Thank you for helping though. Not requiring SAT/ACT is a relief. If I become optimistic about my chances for an OOS, I imagine I’ll give the SAT a shot. (Or at least for my own benefit.)</p>

<p>So as I understand it, I have no real need to explain my circumstance assuming I can clean up my GPA. (With academic renewal) Unless, of course, I use it as poignant personal statement fodder. </p>

<p>A few other questions though - 3/4 of those failed classes would not be considered UC transferable. Does this affect anything? I’ve seen people compare their transferable GPAs to their non-transferable GPAs. Is that where this sort of thing would apply? </p>

<p>Because if these wouldn’t be factored in at all, my transferable GPA would be bumped up to 3.4 (Without the fourth failed class, the D, it would be 3.85 - this leads into my next question) </p>

<p>Pertaining to the one course that is transferable, Humanities 101; non major, should I try the class again? It’s in the same semester that one of my failed courses is, thus would also be removed with AR. However, would it look good for application purposes if I went back and completed the course? Honestly, now that I’m older and more mature, I know that I could do well in the course. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for help!</p>