<p>Hello all, </p>
<p>I was just wondering what differences there are between UC Berkeley’s Transfer Alliance Program and Starting Point Mentorship Program. I’ve read around and couldn’t find much difference between the two. Maybe i’m totally off. School me if i’m wrong please :)</p>
<p>Warm regards.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, TAP is invitation-only but anyone can sign up for SPMP.</p>
<p>How do you get invited Ms. Sun?</p>
<p>Not invitation only AFAIK. Not too sure how that invitation-only thing would work out actually. I’ve met quite a few other UCB Tap students and didn’t hear anything about being invited in. I simply talked to the UCB rep when she came to my CCC and that got the ball rolling. You’ll have to answer a few questions, then fill out an application, then you’ll hear back if you get in.</p>
<p>I never heard of SPMP but from reading the description, TAP has a Cal counselor help you and SPMP has a Cal student help you. The counselor being an employee of Berkeley they have access to official information that really helps to get solid info. You can ask them anything about UCB and they’ll help you. The counselor also makes trips down to the CCC so you can speak to them in person. But the main thing is during the UC App time they help guide you through the whole process, including helping you write the personal statement.</p>
<p>SPMP seems like you get paired with a student and exchange any questions you may have about berkeley. Also being a student, I highly doubt they will ever travel down to wherever to speak one-on-one. I’m in LA so I doubt they would travel down here to talk personally. It is probably best to join both programs, TAP to help you get in, and SPMP to help you get settled into the school once you’re in.</p>
<p>@MeStudyStuff
What questions did he/she ask you? I heard you have to be a low income/minority/first generation college student in order to participate, is it true?</p>
<p>They asked me some questions to see if I was eligible. And yes, the requirements are similar to what you wrote. Low income, underrepresented minority in Berkeley, and/or first person in your family to go to college. I think there might be more but I can’t seem to find information specifically stating what they are looking for.</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t mean you get an invitation in the mail or anything like that. Some CCCs have TAP counselors and your CCC counselor either refer you or you can talk to the TAP counselor and get into the program. There are some eligibility requirements you have to meet (first gen and/or low-income). I have an old list of CCCs that participate in TAP from 2008 at [Ms</a>. Sun’s UC Admissions Blog - Berkeley Transfer Alliance Project](<a href=“Error”>Error). You can always stop by the Transfer Center at your CCC to ask whether the college participates in TAP.</p>
<p>@MsSun I was just thrown off when you wrote, “TAP is invitation-only.” lol just joshing you, you’re awesome!</p>
<p>Hahaha, no worries … I guess “restricted” is probably a better description than “invitation-only.” Although I think that’s how Berkeley describes it :)</p>
<p>@MeStudyStuff
Thanks!</p>