Gpa Vs Ec Vs Ps

gogogobears · 04-25-2008, 09:36 PM

Hey,guys. I'm gonna apply for UC. I am now in a CC.
I just find it hard to find a balanced point btw GPA and EC. The case is , of course, if u put all your energy into classes, u go a high GPA. But i was told that i need lots of EC as well. Is EC really that important? What kind of EC will be helpful? i am thinkin about clubs and tutor. But it seems everybody is doing that! so... someone plz give me some ideas? How to balance GPA and EC and PS? Which one is the most important?

ps; my major is Econ. gonna apply UCB,UCSD,UCD

Thanks, lol.

mobilemayhem · 04-25-2008, 10:01 PM

Definitely definitely get involved in ECs like tutoring, volunteering, internships, and etc... Bottom line: anyone can easily obtain a high gpa, but it's your unique experience that will set you far apart from others.

since you are doing Econ, try to gain some part-work experience in the business. That way you can talk about your exposure into your field of study in your UC app.

Ektaylor · 04-25-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

anyone can easily obtain a high gpa, but it's your unique experience that will set you far apart from others.

That's not exactly how the adcoms see it; GPA is BY FAR the overriding factor in their decision (provided you have completed your major prereqs).

For ECs, it does not hurt to become involved, but I think with your major, the best line of EC would be with internships, as they show a further involvement in the field, rather than simple, often unrelated, volunteering would.

And, I wouldn't start worrying about your personal statements until fall (assuming that is what you meant by PS); but, they are given more weight in decisions at UCB/UCLA relative to the lower tiers.

gogogobears · 04-25-2008, 11:38 PM

mobilemayhem, thanks! u know what, this is my first thread. and yar reply is my first reply.
yup, it seems i have to find some intership.

Ektaylor · 04-25-2008, 11:49 PM

You've been deflowered

gogogobears · 04-25-2008, 11:49 PM

Ektaylor, thanks!

that right,cuz this is my first semester at college,but i dont want to wait for UCB for one more yr,so i'm gonna apply for UC in this fall. Since time is limited, i do need to find some meaningful ECs.

yup, i do mean Personal statements. cuz some guys said they are already trying to write a draft and make a portfolio, i think probably i fall behind... so nervous.....

Ektaylor · 04-25-2008, 11:52 PM

Apply as a sophomore?

gogogobears · 04-25-2008, 11:52 PM

i am still a virgin, ain't i ? XD

gogogobears · 04-25-2008, 11:54 PM

Ektaylor :

no. as a junior transfer. I have 15 units. and i'll take 13 in summer, 15+15 next yr. +some AP.

mobilemayhem · 04-26-2008, 12:05 AM

Obviously looking at the recent transfer results or even freshmen ones, a lot of people with great gpa's weren't accepted to good schools. I think your gpa does mean a lot, but what's the point if you don't have something more? You want to define yourself apart from your peers.

Ektaylor · 04-26-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

a lot of people with great gpa's weren't accepted to good schools. I think your gpa does mean a lot, but what's the point if you don't have something more? You want to define yourself apart from your peers.

Those applicants rejected with high GPAs (+3.8) were rejected due to ineligibility caused, generally, by the lack of prereqs.

Really, I don't understand why those who frequent this subforum cannot seem to understand that if an applicant does not complete the prereqs, they are ruled out as competitive applicants.

ECs do not matter to the same degree as they do in high school; you don't need to set yourself apart from your peers to get accepted; you don't need to be involved in superfluous volunteer activities to be accepted; and so and so forth.

Get involved in internships which interest you, and are related to your major -- those will hold the most clout in the eyes of an adcom, but cannot make up for a low GPA.

gogogobears · 04-26-2008, 12:43 AM

you mean finish prereqs by fall? so.... i find out that there are only 2 Econ and 2 calculus classes as prereqs for Econ major. and i've finished 1 calculus before. i am taking 1 econ and 1 calculus this semester and will take the other Econ in summer. Does it mean i have finished my prereqs? thanks

Ektaylor · 04-26-2008, 12:45 AM

No, have them completed or planned to be completed by the time you leave CCC (without using summer after acceptance).

student14x · 04-26-2008, 12:57 AM

Ektaylor is right. post#11

I would also like to add that should you get involved in any ECs, you don't really have to put that much energy into it. Running a club mostly means showing up and hosting a meeting once a week. When I tell people I run a club, they look upon me in amazement, saying that I must be dedicated etc... But in reality, I show up to only one 1hr meeting a week. And tutoring, well if you tutor a class that was a prerequisite for a class that you are concurrently taking, you kill 3 birds with one stone. You force yourself to think on the spot, thus refining the skills that you need in your current courses all the while being payed and gaining hours to put on your EC sheet. This can only be as much as 6-8 hrs a week. Not anything physically/mentally taxing.

Also keep in mind that professional schools such as Law and Medicine care alot about ECs.

gogogobears · 04-26-2008, 01:55 AM

thank you, student14x and all of u guys. u guys help me alot.
yes, since i want to transfer in 1.5 yr, i dont have lots of time, there is a trade-off between GPA and ECs. I think I'll put 80% energy on GPA and 20% on meaningful ECs. By the way, right have a superfluous volunteering tomorrow.... it seems crap for transfer right now,lol. but i'm still gonna do it , just for the community! lol...