transferring out of cal poly slo (UC or USC)

Transfer Students
1

Hello.
I’m currently a journalism student with a minor in integrated marketing communications (within the college of business). I’ve had a unique college experience in that I was barely able to be a student at all. I recently broke free from a toxic and horrifying relationship with my aunt/godmother, in which she groomed and used me for sex trafficking. Prior to that, I dealt with a rough title IX case (I was raped) at cal poly. My financial stability has also been in flux since my dad’s cancer diagnosis.
The people I reached out to during my trials and tribulations did not always practice discretion. One of my journalism professors blabbed to my peers about my rape and lots of rumors came from it. Our department, while strong, is small. My mental health has already been greatly affected by the traumas I’ve experienced. At this point in my life, I really have to consider how harmful Cal Poly has become for me; it’s one bad reminder, and I’d like to start my life anew while this legal case moves forward. I need to be in an environment where I can concentrated on my studies and grow.

I am a fourth year, but will take at least another year to finish school (at Cal Poly), because I withdrew from a couple of quarters and also tried being a part-time student while my life was in limbo.

Barring that, I’m a highly motivated individual. While working at Mustang News, I’ve received awards. I recently got an internship for this coming summer at the ACLU, and I am slated to star in one of Cal Poly’s productions. I have tried to find strength from my assault and actively participate in organizations on campus.

Anyways, I’m looking to transfer to UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, NYU and UO (as of right now) because I have friends and family that go to each, and feel most comfortable in those areas, especially with the programs they offer. If I can, I’d like to continue as a journalism student, but I’m also heavily interested in film, and ethnic studies.

I was hoping someone might be able to provide some help navigating the transfer route. UCB and UCLA are especially difficult to determine transfer credits as I’m coming from a CSU instead of a CC.

Thanks in advance,
fae

2

@Gumbymom Knows everything about this sort of stuff

My heart goes out to you I’m so sorry this happened. Keep in mind NYU is notorious for giving really poor financial aid to transfer students.

3

@faithfulfae:

I am so sorry to hear of the terrible circumstances you have had to deal with at Cal Poly. Also Kudo’s for your perseverance in wanting to finish your education.

How many quarter units have you accumulated at Cal Poly so far? How many are upper division?

First you need to determine how many units from Cal Poly are actually UC transferable. The best way would to make an appointment with a transfer advisor at UCLA and have them evaluate your transcript. There is also limitations on High Unit Junior and Senior Level transfers.

High-unit transfer unit counts:
• Junior standing: 80-89 UC-transferable semester units or 120 quarter units
• Senior standing: 90 or more UC-transferable semester units or 135 quarter units

There are limitations on the # of lower division units that will transfer to each school so first I would go over some of the requirements for UCLA/UCB:

Students will be granted up to 70 sem/105 qtr units of credit for lower division coursework completed at any institution or any combination of institutions. For units beyond the maximum, subject credit for appropriate coursework taken in excess of this unit limitation will be granted and may be used to satisfy requirements.

Units earned through AP, IB, and/or A-Level examinations are not included in the limitation and do not put applicants at risk of being denied admission.

So you could transfer up to 70 semester/105 quarter units of any qualifiable CSU courses to a UC. If you have taken any upper division courses at Cal Poly, then these would be added to the 105 quarter units to give you a final quarter unit count and determine if you are a High Unit Junior or High Unit Senior transfer.

UCLA does not accept High Unit Junior or Senior transfers so if you are at 130 quarter units or higher, you cannot apply for transfer.
UCB does accept some High Unit Junior or Senior transfers but requires a Dean’s review and approval (135 quarter units or more).

I have linked the document which explains this on page 33: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/quick-reference-2016.pdf

That said, a CSU to UC transfer gets low priority in the transfer process. CCC transfers first, then UC to UC transfers, CSU to UC transfers and then finally 4 year to UC transfers.

You also need to figure out which courses at Cal Poly will articulate to the UCLA and/or UCB courses and if they fulfill the transfer requirements in the first place.

I understand your reluctance to remain at Cal Poly, but depending upon how many units you have already accumulated and how many actually transfer, you may be looking at another 2 years of classes to finish your degree. This means more money which may be an issue as you have mentioned in your post.

Are you receiving financial aid to attend Cal Poly? Cal Grant/Pell Grant/Student loans??? You may be receive some FA if you transfer to a UC, but for schools like USC, transfers usually get little aid. How do you plan to pay for tuition costs?

Until you know how many units will transfer, it is difficult to determine if staying at Cal Poly may be the best option to at lease finish you bachelor’s degree without too much additional time and money.

I wish you much luck and I think you really need to see a transfer advisor to determine the if any of this will be academically and financially feasible.

4

@philbegas @Gumbymom Thank you both for the kind words, I do appreciate it :slight_smile:

As far as being a high unit junior or senior, does that mean every upper-division class I’ve taken at Cal Poly contributes to that rank? Or is it any upper-division courses that are transferable. I’m a bit confused on that.

I will be receiving grants from Cal Poly given my new situation. (Disclosure: I found out I’m pregnant and need to be dealing with that as well, so the school is trying to meet me halfway financially).

Does anyone know how USC’s process is like?

5

You can transfer up to 70 semester/105 quarter units of lower division courses to a UC. Any upper division courses are added to the 105 quarter total so for UCLA you need to stay under 120 quarter units or you would probably not be eligible to transfer. UCB like I stated will consider some high unit Junior and Senior transfers. Much will depend upon the major and you would need to go through a Dean’s review.

For USC, they allow up to 64 semester unit credits to be transferred and also require at least an additional 64 credits to be taken at USC towards your degree.

Here is a link for more transfer information: http://admission.usc.edu/transfer/admittedspring/transfercredit.html

6

Oh wait, I misread your post @Gumbymom about how the transfer credits work. I think I understand now.

7

@faithfulfae all lower division top off at 70 semester units no matter how many you have. All upper division are added to that. If you’re a senior it sounds like you may be over the threshold (86.5 semester units for UCLA and 90 semester for Berkeley).

Example 1:
75 lower division (rounded to 70)
20 upper division
90 TOTAL

Example 2:
60 lower division
20 upper division
80 TOTAL

Keep in mind these are only UC-transferable courses. Some Cal Poly courses might not transfer and they won’t count.

It is not too common that ppl over the threshold get in and doubly unlikely that Berkeley will consider you if you are over their threshold as all your courses are from a CSU. UCLA probably similar. Just being honest.

Can you finish out Cal Poly online? That would be your best course of action if you have a great deal of units. The other – and maybe something to consider – is to take a year off, regroup, consider your options and restore your emotional equilibrium. You’ve been through a lot of trauma. I wish you the best of lluck.