<p>I’m an international student from Asia but my dad is a cali resident so I will be able to apply as a california resident. I will be leaving for the US in February/March with an Cambridge IGCSE certificate (ICE) and most likely receiving a distinction award. (I took extended math, foreign language mandarin, first language english, biology, chemistry, physics, ICT & economics.)I will be 16 by then.</p>
<p>I’m wondering which is the best path for me to be able to get accepted into UC Berkeley’s college of chemistry. (I want to get an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering)
I know of 3 choices I may be able to do that:</p>
<ol>
<li>Attend high school and apply as a freshman to UC Berkeley</li>
<li>Attend high school and apply as a freshman to UCLA then transfer to Berkeley as a junior</li>
<li>Go to a California Community College and transfer to UC Berkeley as a junior.</li>
</ol>
<p>I’d like to add that:
- If I go to high school, I would attend San Marino High School (San Marino Unified School District, LA county, CA). but I’m not sure of what grade I will be placed in with my IGCSE certificate… (If someone knows which CA graduation requirements are fulfilled by it please tell me!)
- If I go to a California Community College, it is legal to apply with an IGCSE certificate/I will take the CHSPE that allows me to attend without a high school diploma/being 18. I will also be able to cut 2 years from my education. </p>
<p>I originally wanted to go with the 3rd choice but I heard that the acceptance rate into the college of chemistry in UC Berkeley is not that high so I’m super confused right now. HELP!</p>
<p>So which path should I go with and please tell me why/if there are other paths I can take!</p>
<p>Well, options 1 and 2 on your list could go together… you’re allowed to apply to more than one school, you know. Though admissions at both are rather tough, so it’ll still be a toss up on getting in.</p>
<p>Transferring: California CC students get priority, but there’s nothing that guarantees you’d get into Cal after doing two years at a CCC, and the classes there tend to be… not great. Going to a UC directly out of high school would give you more time at a better school. But the CC route can be a good back up if admissions don’t work out in your favor. And using it as a back up means you get a second round of admissions if you got unlucky during freshman admissions.</p>
<p>Be aware that chemical engineering at Berkeley is one of the harder majors to find course articulation for at CCs. The normal undergraduate major shown here:
[UC</a> Berkeley, College of Chemistry – The Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering](<a href=“http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/degree_programs/cheme_major/index.php]UC”>http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/degree_programs/cheme_major/index.php)
includes several upper division courses (numbers 100-199) in the sophomore year, as well as some less common lower division courses.</p>
<p>It is often the case that junior transfers need to take five semesters instead of four semesters after transfer:
[Alternative</a> Program for Chemical Engineering Transfer Students](<a href=“http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/policies/alternative.php]Alternative”>http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/policies/alternative.php)</p>
<p>It may be possible to start at a CC and take only four semesters after transfer if:
- You take Biology 1A at the CC before transfer.
- The CC offers courses that articulate to Engineering 7, Engineering 45, and/or Electrical Engineering 40 (can be used instead of 100), and you take those courses.
- You take a year of organic chemistry at the CC and then score in the 75th or higher percentile in the ACS organic chemistry exam, which allow you to take subject credit for Chemistry 112A and 112B (only 112A is required for chemical engineering).</p>