Settle for "Okay" or Aim High?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi everyone, I posted bits and pieces of my situation here and there, but I never got a solid response so I’m hoping that laying things out in detail will get me some opinions on it.</p>

<p>I was a mediocre student in high school. It was pretty competitive, and I got too caught up with trying to keep up with my peers-- trying to be the do-it-all high schooler. I got one thing right in my ec’s: I was editor for my yearbook, was in asb, choir, newspaper…involved in a lot of volunteering.<br>
My downfall was my “just okay” academics. I had a hell of a good time in high school and I finished with a 3.9 weighted and a 3.5 unweighted. I got a 1320 on my SAT’s. This all got me into UC Santa Barbara where I will be a second year this coming fall.</p>

<p>In general I was living life in mediocrity, mere adequacy…nothing bad nothing great. Up until I experienced a life changing experience the summer before my Freshman year at ucsb (this isnt something i want to go into too much detail now, but it is what I will base my essay on).<br>
I fed off this experience and used it as motivation to do what in my opinion was pretty good considering all the partying, flunking, dropping out that was going on in all of my surroundings.<br>
I ended my freshman year with a 3.88, making the Honors Program and the Dean’s List twice. I’m currently a Communications major and I have a 4.0 within the major. I’m exploring the possibility of adding as either a double or minor one or both of English and Asian-American Studies.</p>

<p>I want to leave UCSB because after seeing what I am capable of doing with some true motivation, I felt tired and a little disturbed at the horrible UCSB academic environment. I had one bad experience with drinking during high school and I never drank again, but apparently at sb, if you don’t drink, there’s not much to do/anybody to “chill” with. Of course, I do have my close friends, but I want more out of my college experience than to make excuse after excuse for avoiding the parties that seem to be the only thing my school is particularly known for. I just want more of a challenge, and more people I can relate to on a personal and intellectual level.</p>

<p>The three places I’m applying to for sure are UCLA, USC, and Berkeley.<br>
I’ve learned a lot by reading the responses on this forum this summer, and from what I’m seeing, I have a pretty good chance at USC, and just an “okay” chance at UCLA and Berkeley. UCLA communications IS impacted, but I figure if I maintain my SB comm gpa, it shouldn’t be too bad.<br>
What DOES get to me is the fact that CC students receive priority at the UC’s. I worked my ASS off at ucsb, because I never really thought about the possibility of transferring until the end of my second quarter. Had I known that it would be so much easier to transfer from a CC, I would have, and plus save my parents tens of thousands…</p>

<p>But what am I going to do? I’m determined to finish out at least one more year at UCSB, but should I just settle for these colleges? From your responses on this forum, I get the impression that higher-ranked private schools do not discriminate between CC’s and 4yrs, so I may have a fighting chance there. </p>

<p>With that said, how high would you say I should aim, if at all? I don’t want to go through the entire process of application, recs, and mailing if I don’t have a pretty solid chance (I do have two teachers that should make great recs btw). And I would appreciate it if you could single out a couple specific colleges that would fit the description of what I’m looking for. I don’t want to state outright what I’m even considering right now, but after a couple responses, maybe I could match my thoughts with yours…
BTW: My communications emphasis is NOT towards the conventional media/tv/radio/etc. Rather, I’m interested in intercultural communications on a global level, perhaps branching to international relations, etc. </p>

<p>I’m really sorry for the long message, but I don’t think I could get a fair response without laying out all sides of the story. And be easy on the criticism if you may haha, I notice things can get pretty heated on these forums. Anything would help, really though.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>UCLA is the best all around college out of those 3. It has a mix of great academics, great location, and your social life will be solid. UCSB is a very good school, but if it’s really important to you to go to a name school then UCLA is probably your best option. It sounds like you don’t feel that you belong at UCSB. If you keep up the same grades, you should have no trouble transferring to UCLA.</p>

<p>Most people I know love it at University of Casual Sex and Beer. The students (who don’t fail out), know how to party and get good grades.</p>

3

<p>Aim High Yo!</p>

4

<p>You really have not too much, if anything, to lose by aiming high. I say go for it. UCLA and UCB are both top notch, I would just flip a coin. USC should take you without a problem, just because, as you already stated, tend to not give preference to CCs. I think UCLA and UCB are within your reach. I had a friend transfer out of a state school into UCB, as a communications major, with a 3.8, and too, was in the honors program.</p>

5

<p>stupid question honestly. i don’t need to read your post to give you the obvious answer :aim high …in any situation…</p>

6

<p>I agree. Always aim high.</p>

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<p>Worried student: it’s not so much about name schools, but yeah like you said I feel out of place here, and I feel like I’m up for a challenge.</p>

<p>Also I’m not sure if I made it clear, but when I say aim high, I meant higher than the schools I mentioned (UCLA, UCB, USC). Since those are given schools that I will definitely apply to, my question in general is just to stick with those, given everything I wrote about, or should I broaden my choices to even more selective schools?</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies guys.</p>

8

<p>Broaden to even more selective schools… just try your best man (or woman); you NEVER know what will happen. I went into a community college thinking I was just going to attend any UC I get into. Then one day for some crazy reason, I decided to apply to Stanford and ended up getting waitlisted (but then rejected). The point is, I would have never imagined that I’d be close to getting in such a selective school. You should always aim for the best. I just wish I knew that as I entered college two years ago.</p>

9

<p>You always aim WAY high. Go big or go home. I hope this wasnt a post to toot your own horn. You seem to have it all going on, aiming low would be dumb. Obviously.</p>

10

<p>PLEASE aim high. apply to stanford. what’s the worst that can happen? A 3.88/4.0 GPA is EXTREMELY good…you had great extracurriculars in HS…aim high, dude</p>

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<p>wackicracka: I wouldn’t have asked the question if I knew any better-- I didn’t , and I really needed some honest feedback before going through with anything. I felt I COULD give it a shot, but what sense in trusting only my own belief? I felt I should have a solid chance at it before applying, bc I’m not getting any encouragement from any of my peers or parents…</p>

<p>Thankfully I’m getting a good consensus here.</p>

12

<p>I agree with everyone, aim high! wasn’t there an apple commercial about the different people? anyway, mediocrity won’t help you reach your goals, glad you realized it. good luck!</p>

13

<p>I understand what you’re saying. Do you not think that a 3.88/4.0 is good? It just seems odd that you’d ask if you should aim high because of the fact. Anyway, like I said, aim high, because lower is never better. Good Luck with your applications. I’m undergoing some transfer issues too, so I can definitely understand that you’d have questions.</p>