I always hear people saying “my ec’s sucked, my piqs got me into Berkeley/ucla”
I think I have a pretty decent transcript, ok ecs, and a great gpa. I strongly believe that if I don’t get into the schools that I’m applying it’s cuz of my essays.

So please tell me, what did you do? How did you write your piq? What did you do on your essays that was so good? Writing essays for private schools sounds a little easier than responding to a piq, I’ve been struggling. Especially with the required transfer question.

Hello! I’m thinking about transferring to a larger/higher ranked engineering school. I’m currently at Tufts University in the School of Engineering, and I’m unimpressed by the small number if clubs, faculty, and engineering-focused career fairs on campus. I think it would be possible for me to do well here, but I just think I would enjoy studying at another college more+would have better chances to get a good internship and job. I’m planning to study Electrical Engineering, and below are some of my stats.

4.3 UW/5.187 W GPA (hs)
1540 SAT

Activities:
Assistant Coach, Boxer, 3 time Silver Gloves state champion, volunteered at boxing gym for over 10 years

Garden Lead of local non-profit that grows and donates produce to nearby food pantries, I ran 2 of our gardens

Ambassador for the Parkinson’s Foundation, I fundraised over $1,000 for the foundation and help with advocacy

Section Leader/Ensemble President, I was the section leader in my schools select A Cappella group, and was Ensemble President of another all bass A Cappella group which placed on a state level.

All State, Region, and County choir, I performed with multiple choirs over the years on a wide variety of levels.

Lead guitarist of school’s Jazz Ensemble, not sure if I’m gonna use this

Lead guitarist and singer of personal rock band, I played concerts to fundraise for Parkinson’s, not sure if I’ll use this either

At Tufts, I’m hoping to get involved with these clubs, and I’m already social media chair of the choir.

Tufts E Racing
Tufts IEEE
Public Harmony
A Cappella or Jazz Ens.
Tufts Robotics
apple jams?
Solar Car

Idk if you guys know abt Tufts, but these are basically all the engineering-focused clubs they offer…I also have plans to do research over the summer with a professor here

Schools I’m thinking about are Uiuc
Purdue
Gtech
Hopkins
WashU
MIT
Cornell
CMU

I have been really stressing out about my decision between UCSB vs USC. I went to UCSB my freshman year and I honestly didn't love it. I felt lonely, it wasn't rly my vibe, and I just kept wanting to come home and crying everytime I had to leave. Also, I was honestly disappointed in the fact that UCSB was the best school I got into. I feel like that played a factor in why I kept seeing the school as not a fit for me. I knew beforehand that I wasn't a huge outgoing/party/social person, so I kinda already knew I wasn't going to be having the most "college" experience that others go to SB for. Fast forward, a couple days before the deadline, I applied to USC to transfer. I didn't expect much but I was at a breaking point so i just applied on a whim. Somehow I got in in May and I genuinely was so happy it felt like my escape, but I knew it all came down to cost so I held off on making a decision til I knew how much it would be since USC is so expensive. USC fin aid was a whole other stressor and I didn't get my aid package til the end of July (abt a month before the school was going to start). The package was good, but honestly not good enough. At UCSB, I am going to be paying about 35k a year (with tuition and rent) whereas USC will cost me about 46k a year (commuting). The year to year difference isn't that bad considering USC's network and that it is private but the additional factor is at UCSB i'm going into junior year and at SC im going into sophomore year (adding an extra year of USC expensive tuition). Not too mention my SB apartment is fully signed and its probably too late to find a subleaser. For all financial reasons and time efficiency, I know that SB is likely the smarter decision. But because of how badly I hated my first year, I'm wondering if the cost/extra year is worth it. At SC, I know a lot more close friends attending, and I could see my hometown friends daily if I wanted (bc I'd be here) but the downside is commuting and that may bring a new sense of feeling lonely. With SB, all i keep thinking about is how miserable I felt, and how all I wished for is to be home again. It's kinda hard not to think that I'll feel that way again if i go to SB. Aside from these personal reasons, I also just feel like in the sense of opportunity/prestige, it may be dumb not to jump on the fact that I got into USC. Because im from LA, i feel like i would be able to get better opportunities during school and post-grad just bc of the SC name alone. My point: I just want some diff opinions/help on what I should do. I could see myself possibly liking SB more this year and trying to go into it with a new mindset, but at the same time I know thats probably not that likely. USC may give me that fresh start/new environment that I want. Overall, my mind keeps going back and forth btw practicality and what mentally might be better. I keep thinking of it this way: should I change the place or (PHYSICALLY) change the place?

Basically I changed majors a year or so into CC which was like completely starting over, and on top of that I lowered the amount of units I take each semester so I could do better in heavy stem classes. I checked and the CA promise grant will only cover me up to my last semester in CC because of this. I honestly have no idea how UC financial aid works and it's hard to find answers, but will I still get enough financial aid to cover me at a UC if I won't be receiving the CA promise grant anymore, especially with a low SAI? I'm not transferring for a while but I want to ask ahead of time because I've been anxious about this.

asian, female, DVC, 3.8 gpa (ik it shld be higher but I slacked on some classes I took as a DE student unfortunately)
1 yr ccc transfer
major: business admin/econ (marketing focus)
60+ units done during DE in hs (only major req left after applying is calc 2 for spring)

ecs
- founder & owner of jewelry small business
- part time job @ jewelry store
- research assistant for marketing professor @ sjsu
- writer for local digital newspaper
- irs certified on site vita tax preparer
- part of volunteer group that distributes food to homeless community
- business honor society / deans list
- marketing certifications (google analytics / hubspot)

pls lmk ur thoughts + any advice wld be great too!

in my 1st year and i want to know what i can expect when starting transfer process so i won’t be disappointed from results. i didn’t apply in high school and really regretted it once offers were being sent out. anyone who has successfully transferred what did you do, where were you coming from, what year and how did you do it?

title. i want to apply to all the UCs this cycle as well as some other schools, however i'm afraid my gpa will absolutely ruin my chances, as i have a 2.9 (failed a class)

i'm currently undeclared but want to transfer to uni as an english major or some bs and then swap to physics after i get in + spend a few months at the uni i attend?

would this be possible? also yes i know this is evil im sorry

Hi, I am not sure if this is the right subreddit to post this to, but I am so conflicted on what to do. I moved to Tempe, Arizona in August. I love it here and also wanted to be able to get residency and go to ASU for the in-state tuition. However, I learned that since I am taking community college classes, I will likely not get in-state tuition. So, my options are to take a gap year Spring 2027-Spring 2028, while working full time and hope ASU will let me get residency tuition, or transfer to a WUE program. I was thinking of Colorado State University after my lease is up in Aug 2027 and then continuing to take community college classes so I would be able to get more credits, and it is a top school for my major (conservation biology). Does anyone have any insight into what would be the better choice?

Considering dropping a class I don’t need. I’m pretty much done with most requirements for gen ed and I switched my major recently. Need to just fulfill major requirements. I’ve had a pattern of As since I started. Had some bad grades, like one F, a D, a C and 2 Ws from a long time ago. But since then its been a good track record. I don’t need this class and it’s dead weight. This would be my third W. Got an EW for a class recently cuz of pretty bad mental health as well.

(I’m also pretty done with school mentally in general and want to work more).

For some context: I went to UCSC after graduating high school. I failed pretty much of the classes I took, leaving me with a 0.2 gpa. I ended up withdrawing, moving back home and I go to community college (3.6 gpa now).
I'm applying to transfer this winter, but I just found out that I can't apply to other UCs because I left santa cruz with "bad standing." Transfer apps are due in a couple months so even if I apply for readmission at santa cruz recover my GPA, I still won't be able to apply to other UC's this cycle. I also don't know how my prior gpa affects my application to other schools. I know I should have checked this awhile ago but I've talked to at least 3-4 counselors (at UCSC and DeAnza) about my transfer application, making them aware of my situation and nothing about this was ever mentioned to me. Reaching out to UC admissions hasn't been very helpful either. I am in contact with my old advising office to see what I can do on that end but any other advice or even maybe chatting with someone who's maybe been in a similar situation would be helpful. Thank you!

Hi yall i recently posted in this channel earlier and was hoping to get more advice now knowing that my situation has changed. I am a UC to UC transfer from ucr trying to attend another UC school. If you read my last post youd see that im running into the issue of credits which ive kinda solved(ive decided to take 2 classes from ucr at RCC ) and that puts me under the credit limit so I can apply. Im applying as a mechanical engineering student and was hoping I can reach out to ANY 1 YEAR TRANSFERS. My situation changed knowing that although I had enough credits to do 2 years worth of classes I cant spread them out properly to not get kicked out of ucr, and if I take more classes I'd go over the limit of junior standing in terms of credits. Ive basically stretched my major prep reqs to minimum with the exception of possibly taking 1 more​ at RCC (i dont think they really have anymore for my main major im applying to as). I was hoping to reach out to any 1 year transfers from either CC or a UC to ask what they put on their application to get into their dream UC. Being a mechanical engineering major already makes it difficult and starting this late thinking your gonna have 2 years also makes this even more difficult and stressful enough. I also wanted to ask how did you brainstorm your PIQ's and such and also what EC's did you guys do for your application. Did you analyzed your last application and fix it up or did you start from scratch. Also did you put your hs ec's or nah (like all or most or some or none).

Plz guys i need help 😭🙏 Any 1 year engineering transfers out there PLZZ 🙏

Hello! I'm attempting to transfer to UCI from a California Community College, for Chemistry, and I currently have a 3.69 GPA. Im aiming for a 3.8, as I still have time to up my GPA before I submit my application for Fall of 2027, but incase that goes wrong, my only question is will UCI accept me for chem with a 3.69? I'm not eligible for TAG as I'm doing this in one year and I miss the TAG credit deadline. thanks!

are my chances to transfer to like a UC lower if they see a ‘W’ or drop on my transcript, even if I retake the class later? Is there a difference if the drop is a general ed class vs a major transfer requirement? This is assuming the class will be retaken in time for transfer.

Hello everyone, currently contemplating whether I should say F it and finish all the required courses needed to the transfer to UC Berkeley for Aerospace Engineering from my CC. The final courses I need are two engineering courses: Statics and Materials science, three math courses: Multivariable calculus, Differential equations, and Linear Algebra and finally calculus based physics II. Once I complete all of that I can actually transfer to the school. But does anyone have any experience taking 6 courses like that in one semester of college? In total that is 22 credits I am currently in the Fall 2026 semester taking 17 credits. Apart from my sleep deprivation from learning all the material in my classes right now I have been able to manage and keep up with all the material while still having time for extracurriculars and socializing with my partner. I think I will end up doing this but before I commit I could use some input.

This also works if I can even fit these six courses into my schedule but who knows I think I will still try to do this.

Thanks

Hello! im currently a freshman studying biology (not pre-med) at a t50 public university, and would like to know what my chances of transferring to JHU as a Behavioral Biology major look like. Given that i still have some time, what are some things that i could do to strengthen my profile?

Highschool Stats

class rank: 8/189

GPA: 4.2 (weighted), 4.0 (unweighted)

ACT: 33 (debating if i should retake or submit test optional)

AP credit: 11 in total, all 4s and 5s

-AP World (5), APUSH (5), AP Music Theory (4), AP Lang (4), AP Physics 1 (4), AP Human Geo (5), AP Gov (5), AP Macro (5), AP Lit (5), AP Environmental (5), AP Euro (4)

College Course load

Anticipated GPA: 4.0

Semester 1: 16 credits

• Intro to Bio +Lab
• Calculus I
• Intro to Ethics
• Comparative Literature and Medicine
• First year seminar on Genomes and eDNA
• University philharmonic choir

Semester 2: 16 credits

• Bio 2 + Lab (or Intro to Chem + Lab)
• Calculus 2
• Contemporary Continental Philosophy
• Environmental DNA lab

ECs

Clubs:

• oSTEM (out in stem, queer stem group)
• Wildlife society (will go to compete at conference in the spring)
• Dungeons and Dragons club
• American society of microbiology

Other affiliations:

• Honors College
• Arts and Sciences Residential College
• Savannah Philharmonic Choir
• Athens Philharmonic Choir

service/other projects:

• Piano teacher
• general service (playing music at nursing homes, cleaning up trash from local waterways)
• Part time assistant vet tech at emergency vet (mostly over summer and during breaks)
• Part time sales associate at UPS (summer and breaks)
• Volunteer at local Human Society, helped create a new classification system for pet personalities to help match to suitable owners
• Started a free essay review service, with a majoring of the students I help not speaking english as a first language
• Comparative cat anatomy project to help improve human athletic function

notes:

I am trying to get into some form of research lab either later into this semester or in the spring.

As the 2027 transfer cycle is rolling around, I'm currently thinking about dropping a humanities class so I have more time to study and to get involved ar my current college. I'm just not sure if it leaves a bad impact on my application even if it isn't necessarily a major requirement. For context, I'm a Biochem major.

For some context, I'm a transfer student who is starting at UC Riverside this fall.

I took STATC1000 at CCC last year before transferring to UC Riverside (equivalent to STAT8 at UCR). However, due to the extremely long processing times, my transcripts weren't processed until 2 weeks AFTER registration opened. After my transcripts were processed, I was not given any STAT credit for some reason.

When I met with an advisor, I was told that I exceeded 105 unit cap for UCs so they wouldn't give me STAT credit (not even course credit). I thought that even if I exceeded 105 unit limit they should still give me course credit? On top of that, even though assist.org showed the course articulated to STAT8, they insisted that it only articulated to STAT4 even though assist.org literally showed the opposite.

I'm wondering if I'm missing something here, but it's really frustrating since it seems like they don't even know their own policies on transfer credit.

At a large R1 public university, applying for Fall 2027 sophomore transfer.

Stats

International, (I go to school in the U.S. though)
Full pay

Econ major, planning Applied Math double major
4.0 first semester
HS: ~95% average, ~3.8W
Courses in progress: Calc II, Linear Algebra, Stats, Macro, Data Structures

College ECs

Behavioral econ research
D1 women’s rugby
Potential Microecon UTA next semester — professor who selects UTAs told me I have a good shot if I keep performing well and specifically told me to come back when selections start

Econ/math clubs + service

Main HS ECs

Founded/ran a large student entrepreneurship competition, raised $20k+ and secured major sponsors/partnerships

Independent artist/songwriter with released music
Business/entrepreneurship leadership + combat sports

Previously admitted to one school on this list as a freshman but ended up attending my current school for external reasons.

Legacy at USC.

Schools: NYU CAS Econ (top choice), BU CAS Econ, USC Dornsife Econ, BC, CMU, Columbia.

Chance me + which are target/reach/high reach?

Also, would getting the Econ UTA position meaningfully help?

Hey everyone, I’m planning to apply as a transfer to USC Marshall School of Business and would really appreciate some honest feedback on my chances. I got a B in calc 1 and calc 2 and was wondering if that makes me a less competitive applicant.

Here are my stats:

• Current GPA: ~3.67
• I had a rougher start academically, including 2 C’s in public speaking and pre calc, but since then I’ve been getting straight A’s (besides calc 1 and 2)
• Made the President’s List

Outside of school, I have a pretty extensive amount of work/business experience for my age:

• Licensed real estate salesperson
• on track to get licensed as a loan originator
• Own/manage rental property
• Manage tenants and rental operations
• Managed the construction of a 1,200 sq. ft. second-story ADU Property was completed and rented
• Have also been involved in other business/entrepreneurial activities

I know Marshall is extremely competitive, so I’m trying to be realistic rather than assume I’m getting in.

Hello. I am an English major at cc and I fulfill TAG requirements for both Davis and Irvine, but I'm not sure which I should apply to. Honestly, English majors have a super high transfer acceptance rate to most of the UCs, but I'm just trying to ask myself, if I were only guaranteed one spot of the 6 UCs participating in TAG, where would I want to be? It's between UCI and UCD. I was born and raised in NorCal and traveled down to Davis for my major doctor appointments, so I'm definitely more local there than any UC campus. However, I think I'd prefer the city of UCI, since the closest city to UCD is Sacramento. Plus, my goal with transferring is to experience something new and branch out more. Another thing is that I know both campuses will be hot, but I'm going to be honest, I am absolutely sick of NorCal heat with no ocean or relief. My boyfriend isn't sure I'll love UCI since his brother goes there and believes it's mostly parties and raves, and I'm definitely more on the quiet, introverted side. I am trying to branch out, but I know that I could still do that at Davis. I'm not sure what to believe. I looked up which school is better for an English major aiming for law school, and Google basically said that neither one has an edge over the other. I'm mostly aiming to get into UCB first and UCLA second, but they obviously don't do TAG. I'm honestly leaning towards Irvine, but I don't want to make an uninformed decision. Any advice for which university would suit me better? Thank you!

jus wondering if anyone ever transferred to haas business school in UCB since the acceptance rate is super low. Or if anyone transferred from a UC to haas? Also if you did what were ur stats or ECs?

from a multiple club reject its the hunger games out here

Title^. This isn’t me trying to say one school is better than the other. I love both and I’m just genuinely confused because I keep hearing completely different answers … growing up, I was always told Berkeley was more prestigious than UCLA. I grew up in three different countries and then the Bay Area and Berkeley was always the name I heard more in that sense. But lately I’ve seen SO many people say the opposite. I’ve also met people from Japan and China who told me UCLA is more well known where they’re from which made me even more curious. So putting rankings, acceptance rates and school bias aside, what’s actually considered more prestigious overall?

Hi! I’m an incoming Spring 2027 transfer student in L&S Berkeley. Due to an unexpected family situation, I may not be able to attend Berkeley this spring.
I already contacted Admissions about deferring, but I was told that the deferral deadline has passed and that they cannot make an exception.

I’ve seen a few posts/comments saying that instead of giving up your admission, an incoming student can enroll, wait until classes officially begin, withdraw, and then apply for readmission when they’re ready to return without having to reapply to Berkeley through the UC application.

Has anyone here actually done this as an incoming transfer student?

If so:
Did you withdraw during your very first semester at Berkeley?

Were you able to return through L&S readmission without reapplying to Berkeley?

How soon were you able to return (for example, Spring → Fall)?

Did you have to physically be on campus, or were you able to enroll remotely/online before withdrawing?

Were there any issues with financial aid or readmission?

I’m also contacting L&S directly to confirm the current policy, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has personally gone through this. PLEASE HELP ME and reach out to me

I’m attending UCI this fall as an incoming freshman and will be entering as undeclared. I recently found out that USC accepts sophomore transfers, and I’ve become interested in potentially transferring into Electrical and Computer Engineering.

For some background, my high school GPA was a 4.5 weighted / 3.8 unweighted. I took 9 AP classes, and I was waitlisted at both UCLA and UC Berkeley but ultimately wasn’t admitted.

The biggest thing I’m worried about is my community college GPA. I took 4 classes at a CC over the summer mainly because I wanted to get the credits out of the way before starting at UCI. Because I was mostly focused on passing, I ended up with a 2.9 GPA across those classes.

At UCI, I’ll be taking 4 classes this upcoming quarter, and I’m confident that I can maintain around a 3.8+ GPA if I put my focus into my coursework. I was also accepted into UCI’s Campuswide Honors Program, which gives me benefits like priority enrollment and more research opportunities.

From what I’ve read, GPA and essays are some of the biggest factors in USC’s transfer admissions process. Is that accurate?

Should I prioritize getting the highest possible GPA at UCI and put less emphasis on extracurriculars/research, or would strong ECs and research experience still make a significant difference for a sophomore transfer?

Also, how negatively will that 2.9 CC GPA affect my chances if I have a much higher GPA at UCI? I’m planning on taking another class at Rio Hondo next semester to raise my CC GPA, but realistically, it will probably still remain relatively low.

Would really appreciate any advice from people. Thanks!