Should I even bother trying to transfer to UCLA?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>I go to a state university in Ohio right now that I don’t feel at home at. I’m a freshman, so I’ve only been here a little over a month. I want to transfer to UCLA, but I have very little hope of getting in coming from a university rather than a community college and as a non-California resident.</p>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL</p>

<p>I have 8 APs:
Environmental Science
Calculus BC
English Language
English Literature
US History
US Government
Microeconomics
Statistics</p>

<p>Student of the Quarter in Math (twice), Student of the Quarter in Science, Student of the Quarter in English</p>

<p>I was salutatorian.</p>

<p>This is the bad part: 32 ACT and 2230 SAT.</p>

<p>790 on both US History and Math Level 2 SAT subject tests</p>

<p>140ish volunteer hours</p>

<p>Worked at a restaurant for two years until I went to college.</p>

<p>Interned with an attorney.</p>

<p>Secretary of Student Council for one year. Students Against Destructive Decisions, Biology Society, Cross Country (for two years, team won state championship one year), Track (for one year), Math tutor for middle school students, Key Club (volunteer organization), National Honor Society, Book Club.</p>

<p>Selected for Key Leadership Program one year,</p>

<p>COLLEGE:</p>

<p>So I’ve only just started but this is so far…</p>

<p>I’m obviously gonna try as hard as I can to get A’s.</p>

<p>Treasurer of Information Systems and Analytics Club and involved in Green Team, College Dems, Actuarial Science Club.</p>

<p>I came in with 35 credits. I’m doing 14 credits this semester, and 16 or more next semester.</p>

<p>Classes: Calc 3, Probability, Business 101, Intro Physics</p>

<p>Double Major in Math/Statistics and Information Systems and Minor in Actuarial Science</p>

<p>I don’t have much hope of getting in, so I just want someone to tell me if I’m wasting my time. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Also, if I can’t get in here, what schools would you say are more in my reach? I really appreciate it, by the way.</p>

3

<p>UCLA doesn’t consider ACT/SAT scores in the admission process for transfer applicants, so you’re good there. Besides, if they did, your scores would be pretty competitive. A 32 ACT/2230 SAT is definitely UCLA caliber, but I digress.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars matter, and your high school ones are great, but you should plan to continue with them or participate in other activities while in college if you want to transfer to UCLA.</p>

<p>Personally, given your high school profile and academic aptitude, I’d say that if you get a 3.7+ in your school, you’d be competitive for UCLA, even though they don’t take many out-of-state applicants, especially ones from out-of-state universities. </p>

<p><a href=“https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof14.htm”>https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof14.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>^This is incomplete, but it gives an idea of how difficult it is to get admitted to UCLA from a school outside of California. The admission rate is about 9%. In spite of those odds, I’d encourage you to apply if you think you have a shot, and maybe even if you think you don’t. It wouldn’t hurt to try.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I viewed that link before posting this question, which is why I was so hopeless. Thanks so much for answering. I have a lot of thinking to do before I apply. And I’ll definitely strive for a 3.7+ GPA. Any other opinions are welcome.</p>

5

<p>Lol the bad part is a 32 on the ACT and a 2230 on the SAT? That’s funny. Obviously you don’t know your grades yet, but if your high school skills transfer over to college, you’re going to be very competitive.</p>

<p>Hold on though, if you came in with 30+ credits, doesn’t that technically give you sophomore standing, and so you can apply this year? Or is that what you’re doing already? I’m not quite sure about that.</p>

6

<p>You still have a good chance. You should definitely apply.</p>

7

<p>@music1990 Sorry if I’m understating my scores. It’s just that this website is notorious for being like a d!ck size comparing contest with ACT and SAT scores, and most people seem to have perfect or near perfect scores. And yes, technically I do have sophomore standing, which is why I’m applying this year so I can attend next year. Thanks for answering by the way!</p>

8

<p>@randombookie Thanks for the encouragement. I guess it’s worth a try - even though it seems near impossible to get accepted transferring from an out-of-state university.</p>

9

<p>@ElmerChelmo, you should still try :slight_smile: Have you thought about private schools? They don’t give priority to anyone as you might already know</p>

10

<p>@randombookie Hmmm, I actually didn’t know that private schools and public schools were different in that respect. I might have to check out some private schools that I have a chance of getting in. I don’t want a repeat of my senior year where I was rejected by multiple top schools because I was wayyyy over my head haha. Thanks! :-bd </p>

11

<p>be sure to have a talk with your parents about whether you can afford UCLA. The cost for an OOS student is over $50K/year and there is absolutely no financial aid available for the OOS tuition portion of the total no matter the demonstrated need.</p>

12

<p>@mikemac Wow, that’s crazy expensive. UCLA may be completely out of the question now. I might need some new transfer friendly schools within my reach.</p>

13

<p>Run the Net Price Calculator: <a href=“http://www.fao.ucla.edu/aid_estimator/”>http://www.fao.ucla.edu/aid_estimator/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;