The following link is a great video that explains the application process. I highly recommend everyone watch it.
Wow, thank you for this, this was actually very helpful and enlightening. I skimmed over parts that didn’t apply (like international student stuff), but at the end I felt much better because I got the impression that they are really there to help and want to maximize your chances at admission as much as possible.
Other new, useful info I did not know before: you can submit TAU after the priority deadline, Jan. 31st. This is if you want to update winter grades or update spring schedule, the only catch is, there’s no guarantee it will be reviewed (though it is likely to be if you submit it within the first few weeks of February since the bulk of application reviews is throughout March). With that being said, definitely submit TAU before 31st of course, but submit another one if you want if you feel that will strengthen your chances (like getting good grades in winter courses).
I only wish I were able to watch this video sooner, before the November application. But better late than never I guess (and at least it’s still before TAU deadline). Watch this for sure even if you don’t have further questions, it’s nevertheless interesting to get insight on the actual application reviewing process by people from the admission committees themselves!
JK
cool video. thanks @bomerr
I am sorry, but this video provides some insight on the BS that goes on with the application and credit process. For example, the question that involved a student testing into and taking Calc 2B and 2C but it would count against them that they didn’t take Calc 2A would not be considered because of this. They wouldn’t get credit earned no matter the grade they received.
It still all black and white. If it is out of sequence, you’re screwed. Bureaucrats at their finest. I think that I hear “They have 1A listed as a prerequisite but didn’t take it…hehehehe…they should have taken 1A.”
Total BS. If I have tested, taken, and passed higher division courses, I have earned the credits. I shouldn’t have to go back and take ‘mechanics’ or ‘Calculus 1’ when I have passed ‘Electromagnetism/Optics’ or ‘Calculus 4’. BS
Just because my counselor was inadequate or because the person reviewing my app is inadequate, does not mean that I should not be considered. All I hear is “They took every upper division class they were supposed to and was listed on assist.org but they didn’t take it at the right time…Oh well. They should have talked to someone or shouldn’t have tested so high. hehehe.”
It’s the same situation I am going through now. 3.2 GPA last year. 2 Applications were resinded because I did not pass 2 courses from an out of state college 10 years ago that are NOT required for transfer OR graduation. However, they were ATTEMPTED, transferable courses. I accepted and moved out to a new city to attend only to get it taken away at the end of July (one month before classes).
F the system. I had to waste a year of my life to take classes from 10 years ago that amount to nothing just to get in. It didn’t matter that I took the full Physics, Calc, and Chem series these last 3 years with a 3.4 GPA. It was that I failed ATTEMPTED transferable courses 10 years ago that I would not have to take for transfer or graduation from a UC school.
Yes I am bitter. Yes this video pissed me off. BS workers who have no idea what they are reviewing. If they took and passed B & C course but did not take A, they are not able to get in. BS!
@kva019 ???
I tested out of English 1A and 1B, and moved directly to English 5. I assumed it wouldn’t be a problem because I have the AP Test credit, and (I checked) UC’s accept my score. Because the accreditation would occur when getting IGETC certified, I assume I’ll be fine; they’re not going to reject me just because I didn’t take Eng1A when I got it cleared already and have my general education completed through an IGETC certification. I haven’t watched the video, but I’m sure it’s not that limited. Maybe I’m just misunderstanding things.
@goldencub He’s not talking about testing out of things. He’s talking about the sequence that must be followed under normal circumstances.
Ah nevermind completely disregard that.
Quick question to anyone who can offer help:
Because courses can’t be taken out of sequence, would it matter if I’m taking lower numbered courses at a UC than my CC in the same discipline?
Exact situation (classes to be completed by sophomore year):
PHIL 1, 20B, 31A, 37 (CC)
PHILOS 12A, 25A, 25B (UCB)
I should be fine, considering the UCB courses are not offered at my CC, correct?
PHIL20B has a similar description to PHILOS 25B, so I know I may not get units for the former (the former is 3 units while the latter is 4), but my taking 31A, etc. at my CC won’t prevent my getting units for PHILOS 12A and so on, correct?
Im not exactly sure what you’re asking but if they are non-articulated you obviously can’t take them. And sequencing refers to a series in one group, such as Chem 1A, 1B, 1C.
None of those are a sequence except 25A and B.
@kva019 I’m on the same boat as you. I dropped first semester calculus but moved on to the second semester and got straight A’s from there on. I now have a 3.9 GPA and I’m so worried I might get rejected because of that stupid policy. It’s even more upsetting because they probably don’t let students know that it’s the reason they were rejected. Many students probably think they didn’t have a high enough GPA or enough extracurriculars when in reality their application was not even read.
You will not necessarily be rejected if you have your 60 UC-transferable units. They might just make you take Calc 1. Is there a way you can beat them to the punch and take an online Calc 1 and let them know? You won’t get units but they’ll consider subject credit most likely. (It’s at their discretion.)
BTW, it also has to do with whether your major REQUIRES a year of Calc. Math is a validation subject and if you tested into Calc 2, you are given a pass on the lower courses, incl Calc 1. The exception seems to be if the major requires one year. Go check.
Math validation:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/validation_matrix_math_lote.pdf
Personally, I find that year requirement in certain majors a bit bogus if they have the math validation in place. The UC is supposedly looking into making their rules more streamlined and understandable, and this is clearly an area that needs work. If Calc 2 validates Calc 1, it should be a rule across the board, not picking and choosing and setting up different standards. Just my two cents.
I would also check because there is the chance the video is wrong. The woman at the podium didn’t know all the rules regarding eng 1a and 1b, so there is the very small window of possibility that you can squeeze by even if the major notes a year req.
Also, for what it’s worth, I believe the math validation matrix would be grounds for an appeal, if worse comes to worse.
Question: Regarding sequential classes, what is the time frame for taking the classes in order? Specifically, would I get credit for taking English 85B this semester and 85C in the fall, even though I’m taking classes this summer? Or would I have to take 85C this summer to get credit/not run into problems?
That’s fine. You don’t have to take in summer.