UC Riverside to Cal

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m going to enter my sophomore year at UC Riverside, and a couple of months after I sent my acceptance, I have been planning to transfer out. It was only after I graduated that I realized that my counselor did absolutely nothing to help me and didn’t take into consideration the environment I wanted to be in, plus she thought I was stupid and had no hope. I graduated with a 3.32. Even though I love it at UC Riverside (mostly the people), I feel like I could use a more challenging environment, and one that has more classes in my area of interest (European/Nordic studies).
Generic background information: I’m half white half Vietnamese, grew up in San Francisco. I went to a private French immersion school from pre school to my senior year, so I speak fluent French, in addition to having French citizenship. My dad has a six digit income, but since most of our money went towards rent (2 bedroom apartment, had/have to share a room with my mom (marital issues) and brother for a bit over 10 years) and education, there wasn’t much left for vacation or other expenses, so I definitely sympathize with lower income students, and definitely advocate for a stronger welfare state, for which my passion for Nordic studies comes in.
I’m a current double major in Political Science and Sociology, and have a 3.76 average GPA, 3.77 polisci GPA (which I hope to raise with the last requirement I have left), and 4.0 in sociology. I took one upper division class my last quarter, in European Politics, got an A- in that (and I think I did a lot better than the other students in that class), and am on the Chancellor’s List. That’s about all I’ve got going for me academically. I’m also planning on taking various online non-credit courses from accredited universities (Emory University, Lund University, HEC Paris, Université de Genève), and will take my chance at learning Finnish, since it’s a culture that I’m quite interested in, and would love to study more in depth in all its aspects.
EC wise, I don’t have much. I’ve always been shy, and my shyness carried into my freshman year. However, I’m now a member of the Sexual Assault and Violence Education group on campus, so I’ll be tabling and giving presentations, and ASUCR might have an anti sexual assault committee so I’ll probably join that as well. In addition, I plan on joining the Make-a-Wish foundation as a volunteer, a Wish Maker if possible, and helping out at the Rape Crisis Center. I don’t have the possibility to do much this summer since I’m taking two classes, and I’ll be getting surgery for scoliosis, which knocks out six to eight weeks of my summer.
With this information, do you think I have a chance of a possible transfer to Cal? European/Nordic studies is what I’m going to try to push for (I want to work in Europe, hopefully in the European Union if I can), the environment (more competitive, offers more social issues wise as far as I’m aware, and the fact that there is just so much more to do and I feel a lot more at home on the campus), and maybe mention some places that I would like to volunteer at that I can’t seem to find in Riverside (Prisoner’s Literature Project and Yeah! (fights against youth homelessness)). </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your time!</p>

2

<p>So I think you will be overwhelmed by Cal. The pace is much faster than Riverside. So you have checked out working in Europe? You’ve done your research? From what I understand, it is more difficult getting a work visa in Europe than here. You have to already have an employer that is willing to sponsor you there before you move there because you are not allowed to work in the EU without a sponsor. </p>

<p>You are also required to file taxes there and here in the states. Have your really thought about all that? If your family is tight for money, why would you want to add another financial burden to their plate.</p>

3

<p>@"aunt bea"‌
OP has French citizenship, so they may not have the same Visa issues. I’m not sure why the OP’s future finances would be a burden to her family…</p>

<p>@calgirl95 I don’t think you will overwhelmed by the academics at Cal. You are already doing well at Riverside. It will definitely be more challenging, but you seem like you may be up for it. People from CC do well as Cal transfers, so I think you can too.</p>

<p>You mentioned that you can be shy, and I would say that could be am issue going forward. But again, you seem to be putting yourself out there, so maybe you’re already beginning to open up.</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard, cal isn’t very open to inter UC transfers, but IMO, you may the kind of student they’re looking for :-). Definitely apply, and see what happens. </p>

4

<p>@"aunt bea"‌ Working in Europe is not what I’m concerned about at the moment. Like I mentioned, I have French citizenship so it would be easier for me to settle there. And while we do have some financial burden, my parents are prepared to give me and and my brother the best education that we can get/afford. Right now I’m currently working on transferring. What makes you say that I’m going to have a hard time at Cal?
@2016Candles‌ I am definitely up to the challenge. My boyfriend goes to Cal, and he’s stayed up until 3 or 4AM working, though he’s a CS major, so the level of ‘hard’ isn’t necessarily the same :stuck_out_tongue: It’s the fact that I’m an inter-UC transfer that worries me the most, since CC students make up something like 90% of transfer admits, so I’m hoping my reasons are compelling enough and that I can get better grades this coming year to be competitive. Thank you so much for your answer!</p>

5

<p>I mentioned being overwhelmed because you seem to be thriving at UCR and doing well. Cal is a horse of a different color and I don’t think you’ll have issues with the academics. I think the issues will be with the transition away from what you’ve become accustomed to at UCR- like the people you’ve met.<br>
You need to set time management boundaries with the boyfriend about making sure you both get study time. Otherwise, go for it!</p>

6

<p>I agree with @2016candles. You seem to be doing very well at UCR and your command of languages is impressive. I’m not sure how eventually working in Europe is putting a drain on your family and I think auntbea might have misunderstood.</p>

<p>The only major hurdle is UCB is the one UC not big on UC-UC transfers. It happens but more rarely than the others. Is there another top tier UC that offers Nordic Studies? If so, hedge your bets with those as well - although if it ends up that UCB is the only other UC that offers it, that could play in your favor. On the other hand, i can’t imagine Nordic Studies has people beating down the door to get in, so that has to help.</p>

<p>I say go for it!</p>

7

<p>I say go for it too and I sincerely hope you get in!! </p>