what are my chances (Berkeley, long story)

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Alright so I'm just going to lay my entire situation out there. </p>

<p>YEAR 1
So I started attending a CA community college in 05. I got really sick with mononucleoses and had to drop all of my classes except for psych (dropped within like the first 2 weeks so it didn't effect my GPA or anything). The next semester I got sick AGAIN (mono can weaken the immune system so I'm told) and had to drop everything except for political science and speech 2 (which I later found out was not UC transferable, lawl) Oh and I got an A in psych and a B in political science.</p>

<p>YEAR 2
Well this semester was alright I suppose. Wasn't really sure what the hell I wanted to do, and started slacking off a lot. Ended up getting 3 B's and an A. So spring of 07 rolls around... This was a very bad semester. I became clinically depressed. I began having psychotic delusions of all sorts of crazy things. Went to a psychiatrist and was prescribed anti psychotic medication and all sorts of good stuff. Anyways... I failed english 3, got a D in abnormal psych, and a B in music appreciation.</p>

<p>YEAR 3
Well im over my psychotic depression now... and I feel like a new person... took a lot of meditation and soul searching, lol. Read about 15 books over the summer... philosophy, science, novels, just everything. Anyway, so this semester im retaking the psych class I got a D in, and taking phil, econ, and speech 8 (a transferable one). I'm pretty confident I'll end up with A's in all of these classes. I'm finally actually putting forth effort in classes... I'm fairly confident I'll receive only A's for the remainder of my CCC career. </p>

<p>Ok so next semester im retaking english 3 and taking some more IGETC. I still have to complete foreign language, science, and math... so I'm going to have another year after this one. I'll probably have 70 - 80 units.</p>

<p>As far as EC's go I don't have much (yet). I'm a member of philosophy club and psychology club. I'm pretty good at video editing so im planning on doing some volunteer work for a non profit that makes documentaries on ww2 veterans. </p>

<p>Philosophy is my intended major right now.</p>

<p>Anyways... for those of you who took the time to read that mess thank you! What are my chances of getting into Berkeley? My GPA will probably be around 3.5 - 3.8 by the time I'm done... But will they see all my **** ups? Will they be like what the hell is this guy doing spending 4 years at a community college? As far as the personal statement goes should I say anything about my horrible depression/psychosis? I need advice!</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

2

<p>Philosophy, apparently, has a higher transfer percentage than a lot of the other majors, so that definitely helps. But, in regards to the explanation, I would make sure not to mention it in your personal statements, as they are supposed to emphasize your strengths (positive); though, there is an additional space for information to clarify the application which would be a perfect spot for the explanation --I wouldn't blame everything on an ailment though, it could come off as an excuse.</p>

<p>And to your GPA, if you can get it to 3.8 you will greatly increase your chances, UCB weights GPA strongly.</p>

<p>Other than the aforementioned, a few ECs wouldn't hurt, and may provide writing material or substance for your personal statements.</p>

3

<p>I'd say you have a pretty good chance if you can maintain the GPA.</p>

<p>Seriously tho, what is up with all these phil majors all of a sudden? (I'm a phil major too btw). Hope to see u there :D</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your input guys. I have a few more concerns. First, will the "F" I received in English 3 go away once I retake it next semester, or will they see the "F" alongside the new grade?</p>

<p>Also, how do I ago about finding what the prereqs are for a philosophy major? I went on the Berkeley website and it said that I needed to take at least 2 philosophy courses. Is this all? I keep hearing talk of "completing prereqs".</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

5

<p>Welcome</a> to ASSIST</p>

<p>Go there to check out the major prereqs for different UCs.</p>

6

<p>Ok it looks like there are 3 courses I need to take, however it says "no course articulation" next to all of them. What does this mean for me?</p>

7

<p>It means you should probably take all phil courses available to you at your current college. Also, the answer to the question as to whether or not Berkeley will see your F is yes. You put them both on the application --along with W's.</p>

8

<p>do you think the F will make a difference in whether or not I get accepted, even though I retook the course?</p>

9

<p>Ya, it said no course articulated for me as well (i am also a phil major). But by the end of spring I will have finished a total of 11 phil classes 10 of which are UC transferable. I thank my APs for making this possible.</p>

10

<p>If you don't explain why you earned an F then yes, it can definitely hurt your chances at admissions. But, admissions is holistic, and from what I gather somewhat ad hoc; if you can explain, again, why you earned said F in the right manner the negative impact will abate.</p>