Worth attempting to transfer to Cal with my crazy academic record?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hey y'all. I am consumed like many others by my desire to transfer to Berkeley for its' Sociology program. The problem arises with my academic record. It is quite messy, but the reasons are pretty legitimate - at least from my perspective.</p>

<p>I have spoken with a couple of counselors from the two CC's I currently attend, and the answers are always different, so I am completely uncertain as to my chances at gaining admission.</p>

<p>I will get to the finer details, and I will also provide some context as I breakdown each semester's final report so that you all can get a sense of where I have been, where I am now, what I need to do, and what I can expect.</p>

<p>DISCLAIMER: THIS WILL BE A VERY LONG AND EXTENSIVE POST. I WILL TRY TO MAKE MY EXPLANATIONS CONCISE.</p>

<p>Fall 2011</p>

<p>A - English 1
A - Intro Psych
A - Child Psych
B - Bio Anthro
C - Elementary Algebra (non-transferable)</p>

<p>Entered college as a psych major. I was an active member of the Psych club and part of the constitution and fundraising committees. I was working for the Student Association as a student rep for the college's curriculum committee where I basically gave my opinion on debates over offering new courses. I also had a job at local movie theater and worked 20 hours a week there.</p>

<p>Winter 2012</p>

<p>A - History of Western Civ
A - English 2</p>

<p>Spring 2012 (when things go awfully awry)</p>

<p>1st 8 week Session
W - Fundy's of Bio
W - Fundy's of Music
W - Phil: Ethics
W - Phil: Nonviolence
W - Biopsych</p>

<p>2nd 8 week session
W - Web Design (non transfer)
C - Personality Psych
D - Lifespan Development
F - Intermediate Algebra (non transfer)</p>

<p>The theater I worked at closed down for remodeling and I was out of work before the semester started. I did not have enough cash to afford rent and books, so I had to make the decision to prioritize my housing. I went three weeks in to the semester without being able to study effectively. I dropped my classes after the first mid-terms because I was completely unprepared. I tried to re-enroll in several online courses for the second 8 week session so that I could still complete credits and be full-time. At this time though, I was officially without a home and jumping from friends home to friends home. I also worked a lot of odd jobs (painter, canvasser, carpenter) so that I could repay my friends, but I never made enough to save, sometimes even to eat. I was all over the place, and so my academics took a hard hit. This incited my depression (diagnosed clinical a while back), which made everything worse by several degrees of magnitude.</p>

<p>Summer 2012</p>

<p>W - Comparative Politics
W - Intro Socio</p>

<p>Though my situation got worse (was now in a limbo living sometimes in homeless shelters, but mostly on curbs), I did not want to give up my opportunity to go to class. My depression was severe at this time and really worked against me. I did not have any social support, and coupled with being homeless, my inability to commute to school due to prioritizing employment opportunities, I withdrew from my classes.</p>

<p>Fall 2012</p>

<p>W - Photography
W - Elementary French
W - Spanish Guitar</p>

<p>At this time, I had met a girl who I developed a relationship with. She offered me her place to stay. I was undecided now in regards to my major, hence the special interest classes that I took. Though I do not want to blame my failures entirely on my depression, I honestly have to say I was a victim to it. I dropped all the classes because I had convinced myself that college just was not for me. I always and still have high aspirations, and looking back at the past two terms made me feel very unconfident about myself and my abilities, and I certainly did not want to settle for a Cal State (no offense).</p>

<p>After this term, I was DQ'ed.</p>

<p>Winter 2013
A - History of Modern Civ</p>

<p>I love history. I thought I would change my major to history since I love to read, learn, and write about it. I started to get involved in volunteer work tutoring homeless children, and I would volunteer at a soup kitchen twice a week so I could score some food. I was still living with my gf, but I had no job. You can imagine how poorly I saw myself because of that. But I fought on.</p>

<p>Also, I was placed on progress probation.</p>

<p>Spring 2013</p>

<p>New College
A - Art history
A - Jap 1</p>

<p>Old College
A - Human Geography
C - Lifespan Development (re-attempt)
C - Intermediate Algebra (non transfer; re-attempt)</p>

<p>Getting involved with the community (volunteer tutor) inspired me to focus my concerns on social welfare and the public good. I started attending another CC about an hour away (by bus) because my probation status limited the amount of units I could enroll in. During this semester I got an internship with a local NPO that addressed social justice issues, the environment, and global peace. I also happened to run for a Student Government position and won the seat, but I had to give it up because I was technically still on progress probation. However, by this time I was highly motivated. My experiences being homeless and struggling to survive had reinvigorated my passion to help others, and this has been the driving force behind my desire to go to college, and all of my latest accomplishments.</p>

<p>Still on progress probation :(</p>

<p>Summer 2013</p>

<p>A - Physical Geography</p>

<p>My human geo professor was astounding and inspiring. I had envisioned becoming an urban geographer and getting into urban development and housing (homeless influences). I maintained my internship and grew in status with the organization, gaining more responsibilities. I continued to volunteer and work odd jobs here and there. My father also was released from prison and was able to funnel me some additional cash to help with living expenses, though it was very little and I was still using the resources of my gf and community social services.</p>

<p>STILL on progress probation</p>

<p>Fall 2013</p>

<p>New college
A - Asian Philosophy
A - Anthro: Ancient Civs</p>

<p>Old College
A - Comparative Politics
A - French 1
F - Spanish Guitar</p>

<p>An excellent semester. The 'F' was due to the fact that I had gotten a real part time job that coincided with the class time. I had to fail it, because if I withdrew, I would be disqualified from the college again, and I did not want that. It was a very technical matter. After this term, I was off probation!</p>

<p>Spring 2014 (current, all courses in progress)</p>

<p>New College
Philosophy: Ethics
Intro Sociology
Intro Poli Sci
Political Philosophy
Stats for Behavior Sciences</p>

<p>Old College
MicroEcon
MacroEcon
Socio: Social Problems
Intro to Urban Studies</p>

2

<p>I can guess what you are thinking, and yes, that is nine classes (28 units). Call me crazy, but I prefer to look at it as ambitious and determined. The internship ended in March on good terms. I enrolled full time at my old college so that I could get a job as a TA for English. At the same time, I work as a server at a restaurant, and even continue to volunteer tutor. I work about 35-40 hours a week, volunteer 5 hours a week, and go full-time at two colleges. Yeah…I could use some sleep. Yeah, my gf barely gets to see me. But I am on track to get a 4.0 at both colleges. I just have to ace my stats final next Tuesday! Oh, and I finally afford to pay for my own place!</p>

<p>I know my history contains a lot to digest, and that’s the problem. I am afraid that even with my clear improvements, and my presumptions that I will do phenomenal in the upcoming two terms (Summer/Fall 2014), that my past record is a permanent affliction, a disability so to speak. I plan to take 16 units this Summer while continuing to work part time and volunteer tutor homeless children. I also plan to volunteer with a local NPO that provides assistance to immigrants and refugees. In Fall, I will once again be taking copious amounts of units (about 28 again), work as a TA at both colleges, and work part time at the restaurant I currently work at. So that’s about 50 hours of work, plus full-time enrollment at both colleges. I know I have a lot of obstacles and challenges ahead of me, but I am a changed person and my experiences this semester have instilled in me a new way of thinking and acting. I know I am capable of achieving my goals in the next two terms. My concern really is whether or not in the end, all of my efforts this year will outweigh my failures from 2012.</p>

<p>Assuming I get straight A’s in all my classes for Summer and Fall of this year, I will be applying to the UC’s with a 3.88 GPA. I will have my year long internship, hundreds of hours of volunteer work, multiple jobs, and an amazing academic transformation to back up my application. But will it really help?</p>

<p>What input can you all provide? My heart is already at Berkeley, and I would be remiss to allow myself to go through all the stress this year has in store for me without any hope of meeting back up with my heart.</p>

3

<p>Hey, you should post this in <a href=“UC Transfers - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/&lt;/a&gt;. UC’s do not really care about W’s. So if you get mostly A’s from now on, I think you are good. Also, make sure to mention your story on the personal statements and in additional comments section on the UC application.</p>

4

<p>Ok I read your whole story.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>First of all, you need to find out some information about transferring with below junior status, since most transfer students come in with at least 60 units, and those with under that amount our considered lower-division transfers, so I am not sure how this affects your admission chances and application process etc.</p></li>
<li><p>When you write your essays for your application, you need to change the way you speak about your negative circumstances. The way you wrote this on your thread here is " In semester X, I received these bad grades because this happened to me" <<<<<This is not a good standpoint because it gives the notion that you find these grades acceptable because what happened to you made them acceptable. This sounds like an excuse. Instead you need to come with a strong, resilient attitude like this: "During semester X, I experienced a traumatic financial situation that led me to be homeless, wandering the streets in the, cold dark night. But I always kept my dream of “X” in front of my eyes, and told myself I would never give up on my dreams, and I manage to pull through with these grades.<<<<<<See the difference in this type of a statement? It sounds like your perservered through a struggle rather than making an excuse…</p></li>
<li><p>Also in your essays, you need to prove a point, in combination with your upward trend in grades, that what happened to you during that “awry” period in community college, will NOT happen again in your time at Berkeley. They want to see that you have changed as a person, and have become worthy of studying at Cal because you were not the same person you were before.</p></li>
<li><p>I WOULD NOT state that you actually took a class that was at the same time as your part time job, and you had to fail it for this reason. This shows poor mindfulness in building a proper life schedule, and poor attention to ensuring you have time for all your responsibilities. Do not say this.</p></li>
<li><p>DO NOT state that you would not settle for a cal state in your essay, this sounds entitled and might be counter-effective in your goal of helping others in your story.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>But overall I think you should apply. I think you have a very good story, and If you can maintain that upward trend in grades, I think you have a very good chance. HOWEVER, you need to phrase your story in the way I mentioned to you above, always emphasizing that your pushed through all the obstacles life threw at you and never lost sight of your hopes and dreams. If you make it sound like a list of excuses I don’t think they will be intrigued.</p>

5

<p>You could definitely get in, and I think you have a great chance with your moving story. Have you looked into getting academic renewal? This would take the Ds and Fs out of your GPA. Look into this policy at your cc.</p>

<p>I was accepted to Berkeley this year with similar grades. I had 5 Fs from a couple years ago that I was able to remove from my GPA with academic renewal. I also had 7 or 8 Ws. I wish you the best of luck.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for reading through everything and especially for the advice. I will definitely illustrate my story with greater finesse when I apply. </p>

<p>About my transferrable units, i will actually have more than 100 by the time i apply. I was actually afraid this would hurt my chances. </p>

<p>I will be going to Berkeley next week to visit the campus and hopefully meet with an admissions counselor, and I have an appointment with a representative 2 weeks from now at my college so we will see what happens then and what they will have to say.</p>