UCSB minimum requirements (GPA question)?

Graduate School
1

<p>Ok, so I’m an Anthro major and Spring 2011 admit to Berkeley. I am transfering from CC with 70 units and I plan to take 16 units per semester (plus two summer classes) so that I may graduate on time (end of Spring 2012). UCSB, from a topical standpoint has the most interesting looking graduate program imo and I’d do anything to get in. Upon reviewing their graduate admission requirements, it states:</p>

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<p>^I guess my question would be, what exactly is meant by the bolded statement? Does “two years” in my case also count the last semester of community college, where I decided to transfer the max of 70? Or by “two years”, do they mean my University-level course work, or major/upper division course work? By getting a 4.0 at Berkeley, would this not significantly increase my chances and do they generally neglect the community college record in place of an outstanding upper division record (not that my lower division is dismal, I just could have done much better early on)?</p>

<p>So far, I’m at a 3.2 overall btw (I got accepted to UCB based on a sharp upwards trend and stellar personal statement).</p>

2

<p>There are two standards here: the hard minimum requirements and what the admissions committee will look at.</p>

<p>The hard minimum means that they will take your GPA for the last two years (when you apply), combining colleges if necessary, and if you fulfill the requirements, they will look at your application more closely. If you don’t meet the requirements, the application will likely get an automatically rejection.</p>

<p>When they look more closely at your application, they will want to see that upward trend. Because you are coming from a CC, they will probably pay more attention to your Berkeley grades than they will your CC, and then in your upper level anthropology courses. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t assume that you will get a 4.0 at Berkeley. Although it will be possible, few students accomplish perfect grades for a sustained time. The good news is that a B+ or A- here or there won’t hurt you. The even better news is that grades, while important, are not deciding factors for admission. Make sure you read <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>^Thanks for the reply. Yea, I won’t count on getting a 4.0 so I’ll just say that I’ll bust my butt to get one. I get it now though, if I meet he minimum requirements then they’d look at my application to see those upward trends and anything else that could benefit me. I’m going to be in my senior year next Fall though so I just hope that I can get enough research experience before I apply next year. I’ll try to land some positions in the Spring, Summer and next Fall, hopefully that will demonstrate adequate interest and experience in my field.</p>

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<p>I have a question:</p>

<p>Do most grad schools look at your last two years? or last so how many credit hours?</p>

<p>And to Oenomaus: My advice is to ask like crazy for a research position. I had to ask the advisors and go ask a couple of professors. Probably talked to 12 people before I found a professor who is looking for research students. He turned me down though and told me to take his class. I did well and now he gave me a research position. I start this spring semester and hopefully I prove myself to be kept for summer and fall semester. Also look into outside your university for research.</p>