UCLA transfer question

IBriaIN · 08-30-2007, 01:13 PM

I'm a current student at Orange Coast College and I had a couple of questions to ask. Does UCLA look down upon students who take classes at different colleges? Because I'm taking classes at Orange Coast College, Coastline Community College and Goldenwest Community College (which are all sister colleges). The reason is because since OCC is in demand I couldn't get into the classes that i wanted. So I had to take classes at the colleges near by. And does UCLA look down upon high UNIT transfers? I'm a Biology Major and I calculated that I might transfer with 80 units or more, depending on the situation. And my last question is does UCLA look down about people with many Withdrawals. I've been hearing that UCLA does not care about W's on transcripts. And my close friend heard this from a counselor. Is this true?

Thanks,

Brian

UCBChemEGrad · 08-30-2007, 01:29 PM

I doubt the different community colleges will matter. Maybe you can address this concern in your essay in a creative way...something along the lines of finding courses that were open made you a more industrious student.

As long as you have strong grades and a killer essay you have a good chance.

I don't know about the withdrawls though.

Good luck, Brian.

academic08 · 08-30-2007, 02:27 PM

going to different CCs doesn't matter. they just dont care.

and yes, i've spoken to a UCLA rep who said they dont like students with way too many units. i mean, theres always a chance for them, they just prefer people with less units (60-70)

academic08 · 08-30-2007, 02:35 PM

and W's always matter.

one or two Ws aren't going to keep you out of UCLA.

3+ and a lame explanation. maybe.

IBriaIN · 08-30-2007, 05:30 PM

How are we suppose to explain about the W's for 2008 applicants? I have a very reasonable excuse about my W's. Financial Issues/health issue.

only questions I see are

Prompt #1 (transfer applicants)

What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field – such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities – and what you have gained from your involvement.

Prompt #2 (all applicants)

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

http://www.universityofcalifornia.ed...statement.html

pppeachykeen · 08-30-2007, 05:38 PM

There's a section on the app that lets you explain W's/bad grades/etc.
Or, you could talk about it in prompt 2 as an important experience, and how you overcame your hardship.

IBriaIN · 08-30-2007, 05:51 PM

thanks for the quick reply

lnch3102 · 08-30-2007, 06:00 PM

yeah just explain your w's in the additional comments section

Insamniac · 08-30-2007, 10:48 PM

No big deal--I transferred with 154 quarter units (100 semester), and UCLA just cuts you down to 105 units when you start. You get credit for the classes, but it doesn't count against your unit limit.

However! A lot of my units were AP, so they don't count against that limit. If you are already at a 4 year school, you cannot apply with more than (I think) 135 units.

Good luck.

motul · 08-31-2007, 12:25 AM

pppeachykeen, There's a additional comment section? Ummm...where is it?

dhl3 · 08-31-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

There's a additional comment section? Ummm...where is it?

It's somewhere in the application. Also, when you update your Fall/Winter grades on February, they also give you a chance to explain the reasons in case you failed/dropped a course.

I don't have the format for the entire application memorized, but I remember for sure that they give you a chance to explain such things somewhere in the application. I think the additional comment box comes up right after you enter in all the grades for the courses you took in your CC(s). It also shows up after you write in all your activites/employment history. One thing for sure, they give you tons of chance (more than once) to explain those issues. So don't even bother wasting your personal statement space with those kind of matter.

pppeachykeen · 08-31-2007, 12:57 AM

hmmm odd. I looked at the transfer paper application and there was an additional comments section for different names/etc. other additional information, but not for explaining low grades/etc. But I clearly remember when applying last year there was a section for poor performance explanation, because I was wondering whether I should fill it out since I had already talked about my W in my essay (personal hardship). Maybe they removed it this year, or it's not included in the paper app...but that wouldn't be fair to people using it. Seeing how the online app isn't out yet, I guess you'll just have to wait and see.

dhl3 · 08-31-2007, 01:12 AM

I don't see anything wrong with writing down the explanation of W in the "other additional information" section. I mean, what's the purpose of the section? It's for you to tell the adcom about something you wouldn't be able to tell/explain to them merely from the application materials, and I think writing down such thing is quite appropriate.

dhl3 · 08-31-2007, 01:12 AM

I don't see anything wrong with writing down the explanation of W in the "other additional information" section. I mean, what's the purpose of the section? It's for you to tell the adcom about something you wouldn't be able to tell/explain to them merely from the application materials, and I think writing down such thing is quite appropriate.

dhl3 · 08-31-2007, 01:14 AM

I don't see anything wrong with writing down the explanation of W in the "other additional information" section. I mean, what's the purpose of the section? It's for you to tell the adcom about something you wouldn't be able to tell/explain to them merely from the application materials, and I think writing down such thing is quite appropriate.