more spots for us?
That’s what I’m wondering/hoping
Assuming retention rates are independent of admission rate, the number of spots available to transfers will depend on the class sizes from two years ago (class of 2018) so freshman admission changes this year shouldn’t affect us unless they illustrate a need by the administration to drastically reduce the student body
I’m guessing no one is considering sending Berkeley unsolicited awards/honors updates at this point, but in case anyone else is, this is what I encountered when I was about to email them about mine the other week:
"Q: How can I add letter of recommendation, a new commendation, award, honor, etc., to my UC application? Is it too late?
A: Out of fairness to all applicants, Berkeley does not permit or review unsolicited information. If the campus requires additional information, a form will be displayed in your personal checklist on our secure applicant website or we will reach out to you via email. Typically, unsolicited information or changes to your application will not alter our final admission decision. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE providing new information with correcting false or misleading information on your application. If you have provided information which is no longer true (e.g., you have a grade change or you have dropped a class) you must immediately notify Berkeley in writing about this change."
(from here: http://admissions.berkeley.edu/applicationfaqs)
Though this policy makes sense, it’s a bit frustrating. I wish I had learned about my award last fall, as the awards/honors I was able to include at the time were definitely less noteworthy (though this probably isn’t a make-or-break issue and either way my application is a bit of a long shot).
Sorry for the double post…I’m strongly considering withdrawing from Physics 2. My school’s drop (without consequence) deadline was the first Friday of the semester, and at that time, I still thought I could tough it out through this class and earn a good grade. Despite finding math through Multivariable Calculus/DiffEQ reasonably easy, however, physics is for some reason really not my thing and it’s going to be a struggle for me to even pull off a C at this point with everything I’ve put on my plate. I’ve applied everywhere as a math major, and the only school that sort of requires this class for that major is UCLA (but they would be equally OK with me taking an econ/bio/comp sci sequence, and I’ve completed all the straight-up math prereqs with A’s)–beyond which, since November I’ve grown 99% sure I’m going to want to switch to a Statistics Major anyway (either way, I’m declaring a second major in Philosophy then going to law school).
My withdrawal deadline is a week from today…do you guys think withdrawing would be a deal-breaker for any of the UCs I’ve applied to (UCB, UCLA, UCI, UCSD)?
Why risk it?
Three reasons: There’s a legitimate chance I could end up with a D (which would be way worse than a W), I’d like more time and energy to devote to the remaining month of my other classes, and a 5-credit C would be a big hit to my GPA.
You won’t have your admission rescinded by a UC for getting a c but you could for a W or a D. Since you’re transferring this term I’m going to assume you’re concerned about your GPA because you’re planning on grad school. You should look into this yourself, but it’s my understanding that when grad schools see a W they assume the worst, which doesn’t look good considering it’s a lower division CC class. If it were me I would grit it out and shoot for a b or c because if you end up dropping it and retaking it (or a substitute class) at Berkeley it won’t be any easier and you’ll already have a W on your transcript to boot.
As far as devoting more time to your other classes, you’re either taking the 5 units now or taking them later, so either way time is being taken away from other classes (unless you spend more time in college to complete the class). If you drop the class and retake it later you’re only delaying taking the class concurrently with other classes. The only question is which classes are taken with, and impacted by, those 5 units. My guess would be any classes you’re taking at CC will be easier, and therefore easier to take concurrently with physics/substitute class than anything you’ll take at a UC. There could be other circumstances I’m unaware of though, and it’s you’re decision. Just my 2 cents, hope everything works out!
@billydee Withdrawing will not affect your admissions. Unless the course you are withdrawing from is a prereq, or is required for you to complete your IGETC. Also, I was browsing through last years thread, and the conditions for admissions to Berkeley were to receive at least a B in every course. (Double check because I may be wrong). Other UC’s have diferent criteria, such as no D’s and F’s, and maintain at least a 3.0.
I was in a similar situation a couple weeks ago. I packed too many online classes and had to withdraw. I was already accepted into UCSB. I called them up, and spoke directly with the person who looked over my application, and they went over my file to make sure that this withdraw would not place me under the 60 units required, as well as it not being a prereq. They said I was gucci and made a note on my file and said I had nothing to worry about.
I don’t know about that @hdoan24.
The CoAs are customized for each person. A “B” grade requirement is usually reserved for special cases (such as major required courses in your final CCC semester). A “C” alone in a single course won’t disqualify you as long as you are over a 3.00 GPA ( their definition of “good standing” ) at each campus you attend. A good rule of thumb is if you can take the course as P/NP, you can get away with a “C” in it.
Additionally, while you are correct that most issues arise from IGETC / Major prereqs / 60 unit minimum, I’ve seen situations on campus where withdrawing CAN affect your admissions at Berkeley – especially if your going into an impacted major. The only scenarios where I’ve seen where it is outright ignored are with non-transferable courses / courses 2 units or less.
That said, @billydee should definitely contact admissions and / or [the math undergrad adviser](Thomas Brown | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley) directly. Physics II is not direct prerequisite for the math major, but it’s a related to some of the upper division electives.
whats better?
Communications at UCLA or media studies at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is definitely a better name, but UCLA is next to hollywood and the entertainment industry…
@SevenBlue7 UCLA’s Communications major.
@goldencub You did say that you are a philosophy major correct?
What philosophy courses did you happen to take already if you don’t mind me asking
Does anyone happen to know the admit rate for students coming from a CSU?
@psyphil12 I took Philos 12A (Symbolic Logic) at Berkeley last summer, 25A (Ancient Phil) last Fall at CCSF, and am currently taking 25C (Modern Phil) at CCSF - so all of the prereqs for Cal will be done by the end of this semester.
I also took Intro to Philosophy, History of Modern European Philosophy (took it before I knew that CCSF offered a course that articulates with Berkeley, so I’m worried I might not get credit for it), Ethics, and Buddhist philosophy (taking it now).
Why?
@goldencub I was just trying to see if anyone was able to get the prereqs done for philosophy. I’am coming from a community college in southern California and I haven’t been able to find any of the prereqs offered in any of my local colleges, so i’m in hopes that they will take my 3 unit History of Modern Philosophy.
I’m starting to doubt that UCB will even accept me because I have only taken 4 philosophy courses in my 3 years at a cc.
Sorry for the random question btw!
@psyphil12 Yeah, few applicants have them done. Berkeley’s Philosophy program is very fussy with which courses articulate. That being said, symbolic logic and the ancient/modern phil series is generally not nearly as rigorous as the offerings at Cal - and they cover less/different material. So it’s all for the best.
Many philosophy transfers don’t have any of them completed, so they take 1-2 prereqs over the summer, and take the third in the Fall. It usually works out fine. Many philosophy majors also P/NP symbolic logic, because it is generally looked upon as the most difficult prereq. I didn’t think it was too bad (loved it, actually), but I met a bunch of philosophy transfers/majors in the class, and that’s what they said.
4 philosophy classes is fine. Were your personal statements decent? They seem to primarily care about GPA - 3.6 or so seems to be the average of admitted philosophy majors (often with 0 prereqs completed).
You can petition for credit for your History of Modern Phil class - but honestly, having taken both History of Modern Phil and Modern Phil (with the latter one actually articulating, being modeled after the Berkeley course), there’s a huge difference, and you’ll probably want to take Modern Phil at Cal if you’re accepted.
What are your stats, out of curiosity?
Also based on the break room chatter I’ve heard:
Historically, Freshmen and Transfer admissions usually alternate in their volatility so while seeing such seeing a drastic drop for the freshmen is very grim, it’s also good news in the way that it’s very unlikely to repeat itself at that magnitude with transfer admissions for this application year.
The bad news is they both tend to mirror one another so it’s not farfetched to expect a drop in transfer admits as well. The only instances where trends didn’t correspond for both freshmen and transfers were in 1997, 2009, and 2015 but those can be attributed to unplanned budget increases. Sadly, the current budget shortfall has yet to be resolved so it’s doubtful this application cycle will get a reprieve. ( See: http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/UC-Berkeley-to-eliminate-500-staff-jobs-7244049.php )
(The NIH budget was doubled in the 1997 FY allowing the UCs to accept a large influx additional transfers immediately while the freshmen saw stabilized admit numbers for the next 5 years. In the 2009 FY, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed and the long term allocation saw a 9% increase which favored freshmen admissions. Lastly in the 2015 FY, the UC system sold off considerable equities in favor of diversifying assets and subsequently accepted more freshmen to match it’s financial changes.)
@goldencub Oh alright! Yea that’s what the UCB representative that came to my college said also.
I would like to think my personal statements were decent enough. I had a transfer student from UCI read them but it’s hard to say since my first prompt was about the two majors (psychology & philosophy) that have heavily influenced my academic career and I applied as. My second prompt was just about my ethnic background. Ahhh man as of right now my GPA is at a 3.45 so I’m short two points of that 3.6 
Lets hope I do get accepted so I can take it there then!
Major: Philosophy (UCB & UCLA)/ Psychology (UCI, UCSB, UCR)
GPA: 3.45
Pre-reqs: In progress for UCLA but none for UCB
E.C: President of the Psychology Club, Honors Program member, worked at DLR for 5 months, volunteered at MSH, Puente Program, and worked on an independent study about feminism with the chair of the philosophy department.
Accepted: UCSB, UCR, CSULA, CSUF, CSUDH, & SFSU
I think I reached a little too high by applying to UCLA & UCB but oh well now.