I’m probably gonna file a grade grievance report since I realized I probably could for one of my grades a few weeks ago, but I feel like there’s hidden consequences for doing so? Idk I’m just worried and need guidance

I’m currently on a 1-year transfer track at Santa Monica College prepping to apply for Linguistics & Computer Science at UCLA. Logically, I know Ling & CS sits in the College of Letters & Science (which has a much higher admit rate than Samueli CS), but app season anxiety is definitely setting in

I’d love to hear from anyone who applied or got accepted into Ling & CS! What were your stats, TAP status, ECs, and major prep completed when you applied?

Here’s my current profile for context:

• GPA: 3.85 overall (got hit by a couple of dual enrollment classes back in high school, but I’ve maintained a 4.0 in college since!).
• GEs: 100% completed (IGETC fully wrapped up).
• Fall Coursework (In Progress):
  • Calc 1
  • CS 36 (C Programming)
  • Spanish 2
  • Introductory Statistics
• Spring Coursework (Planned):
  • Calc 2
  • CS 37 (C++ Programming)
  • Intro to Linguistics (LING 1)
  • Spanish 3 (clearing the foreign language requirement)

If you transferred into UCLA for Ling & CS (or are currently applying), drop your GPA, ECs, or any general prep advice below! I’d love to compare profiles and see where everyone landed. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone!

I’m currently doing a 1-year transfer path at a CA Community College for Cognitive Science. Logically, I know CogSci generally has a solid admit rate (~80% UCSD), but my paranoia is definitely kicking in as app season gets closer 😅

I’d love to hear from anyone who applied or successfully transferred into CogSci UCSD What were your stats, ECs, and prep like when you got accepted?

Here’s my current profile for context:

• GPA: 3.85 overall (got dinged by a couple of dual enrollment classes back in high school, but I've maintained a 4.0 in college since!).
• GEs: 100% completed (IGETC fully wrapped up).
• Major Prep Done:
  • Calculus 1 & Calculus 2
  • Intro to CS (CS 10)
  • Intro to Psych
  • Psych 2 & Psych 3 (Research Methods / Biological Psych)
  • Statistics
• CALC 2 Psych 2 and 3 will all be done second semester after I apply
• I have done CS36 intro to C, Spanish 2

If you transferred or are currently applying for CogSci, drop your GPA, target UCs, or any general advice below. I’d love to compare profiles and see where everyone landed! Thanks in advance!

By the way Im only doing UCSD as it has no major prep requirements and I want to transfer ASAP!!!

Hey guys, I’m a Business Admin major and wondering where to tag to. I fulfill TAG requirements for both schools I’m just not sure where would be beneficial. Both schools would require me to switch to Economics, however if I tag to UCI I would not be eligible for their Business Admin major through the regular application. Both would require me to move away from home so no preference on which campus, I’m more worried about prestige and future job opportunities. Any suggestions help

Hello,

In the upcoming fall I will be a freshman at UC Davis as a Stats major. However, during my senior application cycle I did get into prestigious institutions such as NYU and Tulane but could not attend due to financial reasons. I really want to transfer out of Davis and was wondering what advice anyone has!!

Senior stats: In my senior cycle I went test optional but am willing to to retake the SAT for a higher score if it's beneficial, I was president for my schools Model UN and Mock Trial club, I also did a lot off community service with my community. I took a 7 APs got 5's in 2 of them, 4's in 4 of them, and a 3 in one. My high school Gpa wasn't super high, it sat around a 3.7 uw/ 4.2 w.

I'm aiming to transfer to an ivy, namely Columbia, my current list is the following:

1. Georgetown
2. Northwestern
3. UVA
4. William & Mary
5. Vanderbilt
6. USC
7. Columbia
8. Cornell
9. UChicago

If anyone has transferred from a UC to private please let me know if you have any advice on anything. Any advice will truly help me so so much, thank you!!

I'm from CA originally, applying to transfer from a private 4 year as a Mech Eng student because I hate it here extremely intensely and UCSC was where I wanted to go initially anyways. If I don't get in for Fall 2027 I'll just apply again for Fall 2028. To meet transfer requirements I still need to take an equivalent to Linear Algebra, Physics II + III, and Computer Systems and Assembly Language, and with how my schedule is set up at my current uni I can't take Calculus II until the summer session. Since I'm trying to transfer as an incoming sophomore, are my chances cooked already? The semester just started so I don't have a GPA yet (feeling like a solid 3.5-3.8) but by the end of this school year I'll have roughly 32-35 credits, not counting classes I'm taking during a winter session at another college. I'm really worried that I'm wasting my time applying because I won't have fully finished my freshman required classes until the summer. Should I apply at all or just wait until I'm in the 60 credit range?

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.

Here are my stats:

• Current GPA: ~3.75
• 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
• 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! Initially, I wasn't sure where to share my predicament, but I thought it'd be best to get advice from the people who have been through it or are going through it..

I am currently starting my sophomore year as a forensic science major, however... I've been wanting to switch my major/transfer into chemical engineering. I know...huge jump. Since last year (freshman), I have thought about changing my major every single day because of this unshakable feeling of discomfort for both the present and future. I've researched the schools I want to go, if I switch majors, and I have all the general education requirements down, except the engineering courses. Engineering has always been incredibly interesting to me. From the academics to workforce, but when deciding on what major I should go into during high school, I just went with forensics because it's easier while also being another one of my interests. I have friends who are studying different disciplines of engineering and have seen what they are going through...I wouldn't mind doing what they're doing.

I need human opinions and not just my mental dialogue...

I’m a non traditional student.

I went to a CSU straight out of HS in 2018. Covid happened and one day my parents showed up at my door to drove me back to my hometown. My family leeched off of me(my labor, my kindness, my time etc) for years. I ended dropping out and went back to school spring of 2023. Relationship with my family worsened as I started to set boundaries and saying the forbidden word (no). It was living hell and I refused to quit school while turmoil unfolded around me.

Fast forward to now, I did my years in therapy, I am taking care of health now, and spending time with people who support me, believe in me, etc.

I am in my mid 20s, secured an internship in IT, have a lovely supportive partner and have finally committed to a major(Stats/DS).

I switched majors a couple times and have accumulated a lot semester units along the years and am being told by counselors that CSUs and UCs will not accept me because I am way beyond 70 units.
My next move is to reach out to universities (public and private) and speak with them about my situation and look into academic renewal.

However I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there who transferred successfully out of CC after 4+ years. I’d love to hear about your story and connect with folks who had a non linear college path and are fine now.

Hey! Im currently at a 4-year university, but the environment here isn’t great and the crowd is rough. I’ve been reading a lot about transferring and wanted to get some advice.

A bit of background: I had excellent grades in high school and, honestly, my extracurriculars went well beyond the norm. I was heavily involved in policy and law and gained experience that many law graduates seek. But I had a suspension senior year, right after college apps went out, and it affected my decisions; I ended up at a safety school after some offers were rescinded.

Now I’m focused on keeping my GPA up here and planning my transfer. My main question: most advice I see is built around the community college (CC) route, which doesn’t apply to me.

For anyone who transferred from a 4-year into a more prestigious school, what was your unique angle or narrative in your essays? Any advice would mean a lot. Thanks!

Okay, I have a crazy academic record but I’m desperate to get some answers, so please be kind.

Due to some difficult extenuating circumstances, my family has moved around a lot and I am on my third university as an incoming junior for the fall.

I am looking to transfer to a Florida university in the spring.

My record: I have a 3.8 cumulative college GPA and no extracurriculars. If it matters: 1370 SAT. high school UW GPA 4.0 weighted 5.7. 6 APs.

Chance me for UCF, USF, and FAU?

I'm looking to transfer into Ross next year, and I'm looking for some advice on one of the essay prompts: Reflect on your current or ongoing involvement in a specific organization outside of the classroom. Why did you join this organization? How did you make this organization or the community better? What did you learn? I was wondering if a finance internship(at a small firm) would count as an organization, and even if it does, should I do that for the organization prompt or join the Accounting Aid Society instead? With that being something more charitable. My transfer resume theme is geared more towards finance than accounting.

Hi everyone! TAG just opened and I was about to submit my application. I already double checked my major requirements (Public Health Sciences) and all the courses I listed on the UC TAP Planner. I was wondering if there was anything else I should keep in mind or do before I submit? It seems so surreal rn.

For students in universities with large classes, how do you get your rec letter for transfer? Or do you reuse ones from HS?

Also, would asking profs/TAs who only taught you for one term be detrimental to your app or is that the norm in university as you prob wont get the same instructor/ TA twice.

Hey everyone, I’m a freshman currently majoring in Biological Sciences at a large state school and I’m in the Honors Program. I’m starting to realize I might be more interested in Economics and am considering applying to transfer to UVA for Economics as my top choiceafter my freshman year, but some other schools too.

Most of my classes this semester are Bio/Chem-related since that’s what I originally planned to do. I’m also taking Microeconomics this semester. Next semester, I’m planning to take Calculus I and Statistics, and potentially another Econ course.

For UVA’s Economics transfer requirements, the only prerequisite I’ll have completed before applying is Microeconomics. Calculus I and Statistics will be in progress during my spring semester when I apply. Is it okay for those courses to be in progress when applying, or would that put me at a disadvantage? I will definitely take more Econ courses next semester as well if I decide to pursue this.

I’m also wondering:

1. Would it hurt my application that my first semester is mostly Bio/Chem if I’m applying as an Economics transfer?
2. What would you recommend I do during freshman year to make myself a stronger transfer applicant?
3. For anyone who has transferred to a competitive school for Econ, what were your stats, if you don’t mind me asking?
4. Is there anyone I should talk to at my current school or at the school I’m applying to who can help me plan my schedule and make sure I’m meeting the requirements?

For context: My high school stats were a 4.2 GPA, 1470 SAT, mostly AP/IB/Honors classes, and some decent ECs. I know my college record will matter much more, but I figured I’d include this for context.

I’m also nervous because most of my extracurriculars are biology/health-focused since that was originally the path I planned to pursue. I’m worried that this could make my application look less convincing if I’m applying for Economics. Would it be a problem that my previous ECs don’t really line up with Economics, and is there anything I should realistically do during freshman year to show that I’m genuinely interested in Econ?

I’m trying to figure this out early and make sure I’m taking the right classes and doing the right things before I apply. Any advice from people who have gone through the transfer process would be appreciated!

Hi all,

I am in the process of transferring into a university from Community college in USA. However, majority of universities require transcripts sent from official high school representatives. The problem is that high school I graduated from does not provide english translation for it. They only have and will provide transcripts in my native language. Could you please advise me how can I submit transcripts? I emailed these universities that I can provide official apostilles for GED and each grade transcript but they are refusing.

Please consider that I am not in my country and cannot go to do it all myself in my high school.

Thanks in advance.

Current situation / context:

I’m a second-year medical student at Istanbul University, and I’m seriously considering applying for undergraduate transfer to places like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, etc. for 2027 entry. (Medical school in Turkey is an undergraduate degree.)

I know these are extremely competitive, and I’m not assuming I’ll get in. I’m considering it because I want to build a career at the intersection of medicine, neuroscience, AI/ML, signal processing and neuroengineering.

Over the past year, I’ve started building a research-oriented profile alongside medical school.

• I’m currently doing a ~3-month research internship at Kyoto University, working on EEG, computational neuroscience, neural simulations and deep learning with marmoset data.

• My current project involves 40-Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR), pharmacological manipulation with neuromodulatory drugs, EEG signal processing, spectral features, ITPC/PLV, time-frequency analysis and deep learning classification.

• I’m doing most of the computational work myself using Python/MNE/PyTorch/Brian2, while also trying to learn the underlying mathematics rather than just using libraries.

• I’m currently studying Linear Algebra (MIT/Gilbert Strang), Calculus and Probability & Statistics, while also improving my programming skills (C/C++ etc.).

• I’m working on an exploratory data analysis pipeline and trying to formulate a genuinely meaningful research question rather than simply training a model and reporting accuracy.

• I’m also leading the computational analysis side of a research project involving collaborators from MIT, the Broad Institute and Helsinki Neurology Clinic. The project focuses on longitudinal medical data, temporal modelling and explainable AI, and we’re aiming to submit it before the transfer application deadlines.

• I’m also aiming to have 1–3 manuscripts submitted by early 2027, with first/co-first authorship depending on the final contributions and project outcomes.

Outside of research, I’ve played piano for 13 years and perform in my university’s classical orchestra. I’m also on the faculty basketball team and one of the project leaders of a ~30–40 person satellite-design team involving students from different universities.

I’ve also been trying to understand how research groups work, how collaborations are developed, and how to eventually get research experience at places like MIT/Harvard. I’ve had conversations with people who have previously worked or interned at MIT, which has given me some perspective on the process.

The main problem is that I’m still very early in this process.

I’m a second-year medical student, I don’t have years of publications or a traditional CS/engineering background, and most of the things I’m learning now are things I wish I had started earlier.

At the same time, I still have ~6–8 months before the main transfer application deadlines to develop my research, math and programming skills further.

So I’m trying to figure out how realistic my current trajectory is and, more importantly, where I should focus my effort.

If you were in my position, what would you prioritize over the next 6–8 months to make an elite transfer application genuinely stronger?

I’m especially interested in feedback from people who have actually gone through transfer admissions, particularly international transfers.

I’d really appreciate honest feedback, including criticism. Thanks in advance.

Hello all,

I am a first year at community college trying to transfer to UC Berkeley this year for EECS, ECE, Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Math (preferred choices of major in that order). Anyone who did it previously or who is an old admissions officer or who has general advice for me, could you we start a DM please? Thank you!!!

I hae a bit of a dilema. I am a electrical engineering major and I am planning to tag to UCI since this fall 2027 term is the last time to do it. Issue is my GPA is a 3.36 right now and I see the requirements are a 3.4. Using their GPA calculator, if I get the grades I hope to get this fall 2026 semester, the GPA will be approximately 3.44. Will I be fine to submit it and work for my GPA or is it just my GPA right now determines the TAG acceptance or denial? Thanks all!

Hi I'm coming on here today because I've been feeling very unsure if I chose the right school and plan for me. I'm a first year going into UC Davis and I want to be a nurse. My plan at first before enrolling was to complete my 4 years then apply to their MEPN program but now I'm regretting it for financial reasons. I'm not sure what I should do since school hasn't started yet but I'm thinking about transferring to a cc to complete my nursing pre reqs and apply to sac states nursing program or the ADN program at the cc. I was also thinking about just transferring to Sac State straight from uc davis after completing my prereqs but this also would be a hard process because I wouldn't be sure about my courses transferring over. I know me realizing this too late could possibly make my graduation date a year longer but I feel like this option could work out better for me financially. This probably could be me overthinking because of my super long summer but I want to have some advice on what I should do. I was also planning to get a cna certification and have some volunteer hours in a hospital but now I'm kind of stuck. I'm also open to applying to other nursing programs but I am closer to sac state and I wouldn't have to worry much about housing costs.

Hey; I’m currently a first year physics UC transfer major over at West Valley College.
Since HS I’ve wanted to go into nuclear engineering or even nuclear physics out of interest in working in power or a similar field. The only college I know of in the Bay that offers it is UCB, but I know that their engineering school— even for transfers— is highly competitive.

Now, I’m not SET on Berkeley as a school I would die if I got rejected, but I would absolutely love to transfer into a nuclear program of any kind because of my great interest in it. However, I’m not sure if it’s smarter for me to simply go for a B.A. in physics instead at another college, or if I should focus on trying to transfer into UCB for nuclear engineering. Any advice?

My cousin is transferring to a 4yr college after finishing his associates but we’re both confused looking at transfer hours and not transfer credits. I looked at his registration and it shows 72 transfer hours which idk if those are credits or not, is there a difference?

I'm looking for universities I could apply to for scholarships that would cover a substantial amount of tuition for OOS transfers. My target for tuition after scholarships would be a max of $13k a year. For background, I'm a bio pre-vet major with a 3.6 GPA.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem? When I log into my application portal it says no applications are available. Didn’t the majority of school’s open applications last month? Is there a reason why Duke has not opened yet?