Tips on UC Transfer

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>So after spending 3 years at a CCC, and just recently transferring to UCB this Fall, I wanted to make a post on my suggestions to current & future transfers.</p>

<p>Background info:
ucGPA: 3.85
cGPA: 3.71
mGPA: 3.93
Major: Molecular/cell biology
Goals: Pharmacy school
Reasons why I think I got into UCB: good gpa, decent amount of ec’s, great essays.</p>

<ol>
<li>Figure out what you want to do asap, then plan the most efficient route possible. </li>
</ol>

<p>The reasoning behind this is simple. Spending whole semesters taking classes that you don’t need is just a huge waste of time. Sure, you get some experience in different fields, but in the end, at least in my case, you want your time to be spent as efficiently as possible. Also meet with different advisers because some will be better than others, and some will have specialties. For example, my main adviser was a former ADCOM member for a medical school. </p>

<ol>
<li>Research your courses and professors.</li>
</ol>

<p>Try to get a sense of your courses/professors before school starts. The reasoning behind this is to give you an idea of how demanding the course is, and how to better plan your schedule. This is important because you want to make adjustments for labs and possible breaks before lectures so you have time to study for exams/finals. There are many ways you can do this which include: professor reviews (ratemyprof etc), asking other students who have already taken the course, googling your professor’s name and finding their school website which will have syllabi, handouts, or other useful information. It’s also useful to know which courses offer extra credit because EC is always good.</p>

<p>Every semester, my classmates were always surprised that I came to class the first day with the syllabus and textbooks. It also looks good when your professor is handing out syllabi and you already have everything ready to go (gives a good impression on day 1).</p>

<ol>
<li>Go to office hours…</li>
</ol>

<p>It’s really sad how many students never go to any office hours. It’s the only time that you get a chance to talk to your professors and for them to get to know you. I was able to become a teaching assistant for four major science classes because I went to office hours, asked questions whenever I could, and did well in labs. Those experiences gave me a great outline for one of my application essays btw…</p>

<ol>
<li>Study efficiently</li>
</ol>

<p>This one seems obvious, but to many students it’s not. One of the most important skills I suggest all CC students learn is to study from a textbook. There are many reasons why this is so crucial, but the main being that this will prepare you for UC courses. Forming study groups is also a must. Not only are you meeting new people (which are probably going into the same career direction that you are) but it’s been proven that when you explain something to someone else it really helps you solidify that knowledge. Always remember that time management is truly the key to college. </p>

<ol>
<li>EC’s are important, but your GPA is priority #1.</li>
</ol>

<p>Get involved in clubs, volunteer activities, teacher assisting etc. This things are important but it really depends on what your career goals are. Some goals require lots of EC’s whereas others don’t, so do the research on your own whether or not you really need them. Your GPA should be #1. </p>

<p>We have all heard anecdotes about people getting into great schools with low gpa’s but do you really want to be an anecdote? Don’t let yourself get into a position where you are making posts on here asking “has anyone ever heard of ___________ getting into _________” Secure your UC application by obtaining the highest GPA possible, especially in your IGETC/Major reqs. You can do this by mixing up your GE with your major reqs, not taking a full semester of GE’s which then forces yourself to take a full semester of reqs (more for science majors).</p>

<p>Conclusion:</p>

<p>I just wrote all of this off the top of my head, so I’m sure I probably forgot some details, but I hope this helps some of you. Oh and the most important thing about school is your attitude. If you go to school with the attitude “I don’t want to be here but my parents are forcing me” then you will not do well. If you can motivate yourself to realize that school is an investment that will pay off for the rest of your life then you can accomplish anything.</p>

<p>Also this is coming from a guy who never planned on going to college, and didn’t start going to a CC until I was almost 23.</p>

<p>Ask questions if you want but I’m pretty busy with just 13 sem. units at Cal! GOOD LUCK AND GO BEARS!!!</p>

2

<p>hey thanks for the information. it really seems useful for potential uc transfers out there.
I actually want to attend a UC and I am a OOS high school rising senior…</p>

<p>what do you think of an out of stater moving to California for attending a CCC?
do you think it sounds absurd? I’m just trying to figure things out in my life and stuff…</p>

<p>thanks for the post!</p>

3

<p>Want to correct you on EC’s not only clubs but actual work experience (any job that you gets you a paycheck; don’t matter if they relate to your major or not) can be a way better substitute than clubs or volunteer experience</p>

4

<p>@dysfunctional </p>

<p>No, believe it or not it’s actually quite common for OOS students to come to CA and attend a CC then transfer. The only problem I see with your plan is the OOS tuition.</p>

<p>Here are the requirements to get CA residency for Cal:</p>

<p>[Establishing</a> Legal Residence - Office Of The Registrar](<a href=“http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Residency/establish.html]Establishing”>http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Residency/establish.html)</p>

5

<p>@fredfrep</p>

<p>I did put etc meaning more than just what I listed. While I agree that any job experience is experience, and can benefit your application, I’m not so sure about the “can be a way better substitute than clubs or volunteer experience”. Participating in activities because you have a passion for them, not just because your getting a paycheck, can be a strong indicator of a motivated student.</p>

6

<p>Having actual work experience is a huge plus than any activities which can be said for grad school (they require you to have actual work experience in your field for your app)</p>

7

<p>@fredfrep</p>

<p>“Having actual work experience is a huge plus than any activities activities which can be said for grad school” is your opinion. </p>

<p>Also this isn’t a thread on “Tips on Getting into Grad School”, it’s “Tips on UC transfer”. </p>

<p>And if you look at what you originally said in your first post “any job that you gets you a paycheck; don’t matter if they relate to your major or not” your kind of contradicting yourself. For example, work experience as a security guard is hardly going to help you gain admission to a medical school. </p>

<p>I appreciate constructive criticism fredfrep, but I don’t see anything constructive from your posts. Please go somewhere else. Thanks</p>

8

<p>@kamelred u mad bro?, nobody is attacking you… lol </p>

<p>“Having actual work experience is a huge plus than any activities activities WHICH can be said for grad school” (meaning as a example and its true for grad school, ask anyone who’s preparing to go to grad school btw, not my personal opinion)</p>

<p>the reason I said having actual work experience is a lot better than volunteer/club activities is because for obvious reasons, gives more of a advantage in the working world than what extracurricular activities can provide (when comparing between work experience and extracurricular; putting this parentheses for you to not misunderstand things or quote me wrong). Not saying that volunteer/club activities are bad or they are just pointless, those are valuable too but when you find actual work opportunities then its a lot better. Plus, the UC’s tend to favor those who have part-time/full time jobs and studying at the same time, the reason? use your brain to deduce common sense :slight_smile: (not coming from my personal opinion, but heard from counselors at grad schools, professors who graduated at top universities with a MBA, Ph.D, M.A./M.S., etc. that teaches lower division classes, etc. you name it). </p>

<p>When I said “any job with a paycheck; don’t matter if they relate to your major or not” I didn’t want to list long examples of jobs that college students have (ex. waiter/waitress/cashier/…) for undergrads, not for grad school idiot; again use common sense</p>

9

<p>Fred your posts make absolutely no sense. You’re backtracking on your original claim that:</p>

<p>“any job that you gets you a paycheck; don’t matter if they relate to your major or not) can be a way better substitute than clubs or volunteer experience”</p>

<p>This is flat out incorrect and I haven’t heard this anywhere before. I’m pretty sure listing that you are a pizza delivery driver over being in the local business club is not going to help you get into business school. If you left out the “relate to your major or not” part then I would agree. Being an accountant is probably more valuable than being in a business club. </p>

<p>Secondly, this thread has nothing to do with grad school. Why are you bringing up grad school? It’s pretty common sense how work experience is favored for grad school yet this thread is for UC transfers. Not grad school. Also your grammar is awful and I can hardly make out what you are saying.</p>