Remaining competitive for transferring to top schools? With B's or W's?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hey guys,

Just wanted to ask some questions about my academic status right now.

Currently an incoming sophomore Political Science major at a California Community College.

In high school I was an awful student, but that is because I had an awful life that got in the way.

Now at my community college I’ve finished 4 honors classes, and about to finish my 5th one in the summer to get the UCLA TAP certificate done. However my cumulative GPA so far is a 3.85 because I got one B this spring. I also have a plain W in a class this spring, non major and non IGETC. By end of Spring 2016, I will have over the minimum 60 UC units done, with my major prep classes completed as well as full IGETC.

I do have good extracurriculars though, paid internship at a legislators office, as well as part of the regional student government. I ran for my schools student government president but lost, which bummed me out. I will apply for one of the other vacant positions this fall.

My main hook is that I am a self supporting (former) foster youth, and my passions are to help the community and ultimately be a role model to other youth and disadvantaged populations.

I am aiming to apply for transfer to UC Davis, UCLA, UC Berkeley. Some reach/wishful thinking schools aside from that would be Amherst, UPenn, JHU, Stanford. I’l be taking the SAT either this November or January.

Now I realize I’m not the highest ranking student, but I think I’ve done well for what obstacles have came my way. I just wanted to know how I could remain realistic with my goals. I want to be competitive for any of the UC regents scholarships or JKCF undergrad scholarships too. On top of that I plan to go to law school afterwards so either way I’m hitting the ground running each day with school. I just don’t want a semester like this to hold me back, no more W’s and hopefully nothing else less than an A.

2

Great job getting TAP certified. Political science has an average admit at UCLA of 3.7, so you are right in there.
https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof14_mjr.htm#PW

UCs don’t care about Ws, so don’t worry about that one.

Your ECs look great, good job. As well, you story sounds compelling. Make sure to look into scholarship opportunities for former foster youth.

I’m not familiar with privates, so this advice is strictly for the UCs. Look into the TAG program at Davis: http://tag.ucdavis.edu/ which may serve as a safety for you.

For the UCs you do not need a SAT score. They don’t even ask for it on the application.

I’m also not familiar with Regents or JKCF, but my guess is that you have a pretty good shot.

Good luck!

3

UC’s do not care about W’s. You don’t need to take the SAT to transfer to any UC’s. You are definitely a competitive applicant, and you seem right up Berkeley’s alley. For comparison, a friend of mine got into Cal as a PolySci major with a 3.5 and minimal EC’s / decent essays. UCLA TAP is a plus, as well.

That being said, Regents is a reach. You definitely have compelling circumstances, and it is possible for you to get it, but it’s unlikely. They like 4.0 students. I can’t speak for JKCF.

4

@luckie1367 beat me to it.

(Regents at UCB or UCLA is a reach. Davis, not so much.)