<p>Hi I'm a computer science major. I want to go to UCLA/USC. I am in a cc now. </p>
<p>I came to the US from Israel, I was in the Israeli army for two years. I have excellent high school grades. My mother is from south america (am I considered hispanic? a minority?) </p>
<p>I finished my first semester with a 4.0, easy classes though. Almost no EC. I volunteer in the community.</p>
<p>What should I do in the following semester / year in order to improve my chances to get in to USC/UCLA? how difficult is it?</p>
<p>Thanks:)</p>
<p>Anyone? I could use any answer...10x :)</p>
<p>did you take the SATs?</p>
<p>Nop... I thought you don't have to as a transfer student. Do they put emphasis on the EC?</p>
<p>you're considered hispanic</p>
<p>does it improve my chances or the other way? I am pretty new to the college admission process.</p>
<p>Hi. I am from Israel too. I didn't serve in the army though. I'm in the US for a year now and I'm going to a cc too, mainly because that was my only option after graduating high school in Israel. I have the same lack of EC as you do. That's kinda a problem casue EC have some importance. Try to get involved in your college, join clubs, volunteer, ect.
Unfortunately many of the top 30 universities require SAT even for domestic transfer so if you are a permanent resident you'll have to do them, but check with the university first. Basically SAT are pretty easy (kinda like psychometry) except of the VERB part which is kind of hassle since our vocabulary is very poor (at least mine). Anyway, cc is fairly easy (I had no problem getting 4.0 with 90% science classes), especially after Israeli education.
I have done quite a bit of research so feel free asking me questions.</p>
<p>Wish you luck.</p>
<p>GPA needs to be stellar. GPA > than anything else. If you are coming in as a transfer, these are the following things I would recommend to you. </p>
<p>1)GPA as high as possible. If you did poorly in a class....retake it. Study, study, and study some more. No amount of EC's are worth having a lower GPA.</p>
<p>2)Finish all of your transfer required classes early. Get your IGETC finished as well. This gives you an edge over someone who does not have this done. Check out assist.org, and follow up with your school and UCLA to make sure that the list is still current. This is very important.</p>
<p>Everything else is so far down the list, that I would not waste your time with giving advice on it. EC's are not going to get you in. A great personal statement....no. These are items that may break a tie, but are not going to get you over the hump and into your dream school. </p>
<p>Study and work hard. If you have given your all and you come up short, there is no shame in that. </p>
<p>If I can do it, (4.0 GPA) so can you.</p>
<p>Make it happen.</p>
<p>Honest11,
Currently at UCLA...working hard to get into Law School</p>
<p>NJCCstudent -- I sent you a message. honest11 -- do I have to have 60 units to transfer?</p>
<p>All majors require 60 or more units if you are planning on transferring at the junior level. You should be able to apply as a Hispanic but it really wont do you any good to do so since affirmative action has been deemed illegal in california. Admissions at UCLA weigh heavily on financial cirmcumstances and geographical region instead applying as a Hispanic does not give you any advantage whatsover. Computer Science is one of those majors that is on the impacted majors list and so for your best bet you might want to have anywhere between a 3.7-4.0 gpa by the time you apply, be IGETC certified, have 60 or more units, and all of your prereqs completed it would also help to have some EC's/volunteer experiences to your name, Good Luck.</p>
<p>Yes 60 Units by the time you transfer. (not counting the summer session before Fall).</p>
<p>Good luck and I wish you the best.</p>