Portuguese Student transfer to Cal through a Community College

Transfer Students UC Transfers
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<p>I am a Portuguese student who was majoring in Business Management in a Portuguese University. In fact, I completed 90 ECTS (European credits units system), which are the equivalent of 45 American semester credits units or 67.5 American quarter units.</p>

<p>Last January, I decided that I would like to major in an American University and I took some campus tours in California (UCB, UCSB, UCSD, UCSC, UCLA, Stanford), in order to get more answers for my situation. Actually, I was seduced by the California Universities. All the colleges said I could transfer directly from Portugal, except from Berkeley who advised me to go first to a Community College. Indeed, Cal was my goal and even if the other universities offered me direct transfer possibility, it would be difficult because my curriculum is shaped for a different academical system and society that values different perspectives while applying to universities. Besides preferring UCB, Haas Business School is the most difficult school to get in; only 6% of the applicants are admitted (last fall).</p>

<p>My first step in this whole process was to get an English certificate. So, I went an ESL (English as a Second Language) Center in San Diego to take TOEFL classes and prepare myself for the exam. I passed the TOEFL (Internet-Based Test) with a score of 97(out of 120), which I consider a good score; since the minimum required for a Community College is 61.</p>

<p>Then, I applied and was accepted to three community colleges: Diablo Valley College, Berkeley City College and Foothill College. Because, these three CC have good transfer rates to UCB and I think I am going to choose Foothill College.</p>

<p>There are some more details I would like to include about my present situation:</p>

<p>I have a GPA of 14/15 out of 20 in my “Home” University, but I am still on the 15/20 top students of my major. (In Europe it is rare to have high grades on good universities);
I had a scholarship for my freshman year due to my high school grades. I won several distinction awards due to my excellence on some subjects.
Since in Europe and in the Bologna Agreement, Universities do not have General Education and have three years programs, my ECTS would correspond with the major credits; in other words, to the two last years of an American program (junior and senior years);</p>

<p>After doing some brainstorming and research about this problem / opportunity, I came with solutions: I can go two years to a CC (taking General Education courses) and then try to transfer to UCB or another University. The problem is that I doubt the 4 year University would accept (part of) those credits, since I am already CC transfer student. Despite it, I thought about hybrid solution with CC credits and “Portuguese” credits, but I think UCB is looking for applicants from CC with 90 units of general education.</p>

<p>This is my situation; I would like to know your opinion. I am aware this may sound complicated and may have confused you, but I am free to explain it again. Besides it, I would be happy to know your opinion about which CC should I pick.</p>

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<p>I’m doing something similar. I completed my A-levels in London, England and held an offer for BA International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (the LSE) I eventually did not make. (They asked for AAB, I received ABB…was three marks away from an A! Was absolutely devastated initially as it’s one of the best universities in the world!) In a way, this was sort of a good thing, as I was starting to grow desperately homesick (I am originally from Calfornia) so instead I decided to move back to California, live with my Mom, and attend a CC to complete my General Ed requirements as England doesn’t do that kind of stuff either. My A-levels will not have gone to waste, though. I spoke to the International Admissions Specialist at Berkeley, and she told me that once I complete my General Ed Reqs and transfer out, they will give me twenty-seven semester units for what I’ve done so far…so will hopefully graduate from college in 3 to 3.5 years, rather than the usual 4. UCLA and UCSD also said the same. Think they might do the same for you; I’d definitely ask.</p>

<p>As for which CC to go to, it doesn’t really matter, so long as it’s decent. There are some that transfer more students out to UCs than others, like Santa Monica Community College down here in Southern California, but if you’re a bright enough student and involve yourself in campus activities, you should be fine at most CCs. I’ve known so many people who transferred out from a wide range of CCs to the likes of Berkeley and UCLA, so don’t worry too much about that.</p>

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<p>Your situation is definitely more complicated than most. Unfortunately, I really have no advice for you as my knowledge in this area is very limited. I just wanted to let you know that Cal offers concurrent enrollment opportunities to some of the CC’s. For instance, at my CC Ohlone College, students can take one course at Cal per semester paying the same price they normally pay at Ohlone. If you are intent on transferring to Cal, you might want to take advantage of this opportunity. It would allow you to get some major prereq’s out of the way while you are in CC. Also, the grades received in these concurrent courses become part of your permanent GPA at Cal. Assuming you receive good grades in these courses, it could increase your chance of being accepted when you apply. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Monkeyface…wth! i just noticed that this post was created over a month ago. lol…</p>

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<p>Oh I see…</p>