r/TransferStudents

I committed to UCLA and am honestly really not liking it. I’ve visited campus several times since then and I just don’t like it. I realize I made the wrong choice and made that choice for the wrong reasons. (Family pressure and all that) as well as what I want out of college. Obviously this is a good choice either way and I’m thankful for either opportunity.

However, with the reality of school starting soon and visiting the campus, and seeing where I’m going to be and what life is like, I don’t like it at all. As well as I realize my career/life goals fall more in line with Berkeley. Or rather, Berkeley’s notoriety and proximity to the Bay Area is something that falls in line with what I want to accomplish. I also realize Berkeley is now my dream after really debating it over the last couple of months.

This would involve me reapplying as a CCC student and doing the app cycle again. Anyone else experience reapplying? Also, I’m looking for real advice and guidance, not just simple pointers. Thank you.

hi everyone, imma make this short:

- i am set to complete Cal-GETC by the end of my final spring semester

- i meet all of the application requirements for UCSD

- i meet all of my major/transfer requirements for UCSD

- i am missing two courses listed on assist

will this affect my admission?

Hi
I’m a first time community college student (I was kinda forced into community college because I moved states senior year and had horrible issues with residency at the 4 year I was going to go to)

I heard that only around 29-30% of community college student gets their bachelor’s degree and that over 80% of community college students plan on transferring to a 4 year

I’m scared of being in the 70% of people who don’t transfer😭
My community college has a program where all credits transfer to any college in my current state but the transfer rates at my comm college is around 29%

I’m lowkey scared of failing

I can’t even drive either so I’m already mega mega behind because of this weird move

I just started my first semester at a California community college. I have 18 Credits filled from taking AP classes, and at the end of the semester, I'll have 34 total credits, I also plan to take 16 credits next semester, and will take 10 credits in the summer. (I will complete cal-getc next semester as well)

This means that before next fall, I'd have my 60 transferable credits completed. As someone trying to transfer to a California community college, what do I do? I can't apply this semester because I don't even have a gpa, but if I wait till next year to apply I'll have nothing to really do all year, and will just take some random classes.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue?

Any advice?

So I've been trying to plan my transfer path for the past few months and honestly I'm a little frustrated right now. I paid for one of those generic college planning services that basically just gave me a list of requirements I could have found on the school's website myself. No help figuring out what order to take things in, no guidance on whether my current credits actually count toward anything, just a PDF and a 'good luck.'

Now I'm trying to understand how transfer acceptance rates actually factor into planning which classes to take. Like, does it matter that my target school has a 25% transfer acceptance rate if I dont have the exact prereqs they want? I feel like the rate itself is almost useless without knowing what the accepted students actually did to get there.

I've got maybe 3 semesters before I want to transfer and I'm terrified of taking the wrong class and losing time or money. The planning tool I used gave me zero help with sequencing, which is the part I actually needed.

Has anyone found a resource or approach that actually maps out a realistic semester by semester path based on where you want to go? Not just a checklist, but something that accounts for the order things need to happen in.

Had to go to ucm for financial reasons but not really the happiest here. I’m a biochem major looking to transfer to ucd to be closer to family and I was wondering how hard it is to transfer and if anyone has done it, what were your stats + extracurriculars?

GPA: 1.1
ECs:
Placed top 10 in national burger eating competition
Free style rap battles against professionals at my local retirment home
Ran a mile in under 10 minutes
Cured the common cold(I gave my friend an Advil)
Poured mentos in coke and documented the results
1000k instagram followers

hello, i would like to attend uc berkley and i current go to ucsb (studying computer engineering) i wanna do eecs and berkley.

- inc sophomore
- gpa. 4.0 (a couple upper div classes)
- I have a paper published at a top AI conference where i’m a first author
- current Machine learning engineering intern pretty prominent tech company (FAANG adjacent)
- AI fellow at a pretty well known startup in llm data space
- i got some projects in the ai space that i think r pretty cool
- some highschool stuff (research paper etc)

Hey everyone, I’m trying to plan out my path to a 4 year bachelor's degree in business, but I keep running into a wall when searching online. Every time I look up information on an Associate in Business Transfer, search engines and articles treat it like a terminal degree meant for jumping straight into the workforce, which isn't what I want.
I’m planning to use a community college transfer track to knock out my first two years before moving to a university. However, I have two main questions and would love to hear from anyone who has taken this route:

1. Is a transfer business associate’s degree actually a good option for transitioning to a 4 year university, or are you better off doing a general transfer (like a liberal arts/AA) and figuring it out later?
   2. Does it penalize you or limit you if you are still undecided on your specific business major? (I know I want to major in something business related eventually likely a specific field like finance, marketing, or accounting… rather than just a generic general business bachelor's but I haven't locked down the exact focus yet).

If you’ve done this or transferred from a community college into a university business school while undecided, I’d love to hear your thoughts or what you wish you had known!

I’m a CCC student applying to Berkeley for Fall 2027. My expected UC-transferable GPA is gonna be around 3.6–3.63 after this Fall, assuming things go right.
My GPA is obviously my biggest concern, but my transcript has a pretty cool upward trend.

I had a terrible start to community college with multiple withdrawals/repeats and completed only about 23 units during my first year and a half. My GPA was around a 2.8 before Spring 2026. Since then, I’ve completely changed how I approach school and have been taking increasingly rigorous coursework in calculus, discrete math, statistics, Python/C++/Java, computer science theory, data science, etc. It was a pretty big change, I got a lot done in a semester, winter intercession and a summer.

My current Fall semester is particularly technical/heavy, and I’m expecting most if not straight A’s because my semester beforehand was rigorous and I did pretty well. I’m also at 57 transferable units at the moment so I’ll definitely meet the minimum after this semester.

Before transferring, I’m also taking DSA, Calculus III, linear algebra/differential equations, and an other relevant data-science/computer-science related classes. One of my PIQs directly addresses my early academic performance, what caused it, what I changed, and the resulting turnaround.

My academic interest is data science, particularly the intersection of cognition, AI, machine learning, and data science. Because of that, I’m genuinely interested in both Berkeley Cognitive Science and Data Science.

I’m currently debating whether I should apply directly to Data Science or apply to Cognitive Science and potentially add Data Science as a second major after transferring. I checked assist.org and I’m going to have all but one of the Data Science lower-division prerequisites completed, along with all but one of my CogSci preparation courses. But those classes are under the “highly-recommended” rather than core-classes.

For people familiar with Berkeley transfer admissions: how realistic do you think my chances are if I apply directly to Data Science with a ~3.6 but this level of upward trend and technical rigor? How different would you view my chances applying to Cognitive Science?

And if I were admitted to CogSci, how realistic would adding Data Science as a second major be if I arrive with basically just all of the datasci lower-division preparation completed?

I’m not looking for reassurance or made-up percentages, cause Im also happy going to SJSU or colleges in my area lol. I’d especially appreciate input from Berkeley transfers who applied with similar GPAs/upward trends, particularly CogSci or Data Science applicants.

for example, if i want to transfer from ivc to ucsd as a psych BA major, should i just complete the courses shown below? or should i complete every course on assist.org? for those of you who got into ucsd, how many classes on assist did u have completed? does it make a big difference in admission?

thanks :p

https://preview.redd.it/8wmi629u66kh1.png?width=900&format=png&auto=webp&s=858da169fcd41c7ba2d8307cb629ea1de4372455

I’m applying to some of the T20’s cause they offer free college for broke people like me, but does anyone know if there are any non-T25’s that also offer significant financial aid/are completely free?

I’m in NYS

I’m starting community college this September as a freshman! I graduated with the class of ’26, and I’ve spent the summer planning out my 2 years at CC. Originally, my goal was to get an AA in Philosophy and transfer to UCLA. But after researching the cost of attending UCLA as an out-of-state student, I realized it probably wouldn’t be financially realistic for me as a low-income student.

Then I discovered USC’s Philosophy, Politics, & Law (PPL) major in Dornsife, and it honestly feels perfect for me. I was already planning to major in Philosophy with the goal of going to law school, and I LOVE USC’s campus, school spirit, and financial aid opportunities.

My biggest question is what I should do during my 2 years at CC. I have two possible plans:

A — Play it safe:

Get my AA in Philosophy, focus on keeping my GPA as high as possible, graduate with honors, and participate in clubs/leadership.

B — Dual enroll in LSPAR:

My CC also offers a Legal Studies–Paralegal (LSPAR) program, so I could dual enroll in Philosophy + LSPAR. I’d be able to graduate with 2 degrees and be able to work as a paralegal or assistant at a law firm during my last 2 years!

I’m trying to figure out which would make me the stronger USC Dornsife/PPL transfer applicant.
Would the LSPAR coursework be beneficial because it gives me legal experience/coursework, or would it be better to keep things simple, protect my GPA, and focus entirely on Philosophy?

If you were in my position, would you choose A or B—and why?

Reply with vents, chance mes, hellos, questions, whatever, I just want to feel some solidarity. It’s rough out here 😢

i'm going into my second year of college... not super happy with my situation and i'm interested to see if anyone has advice

i'm going to my local college and majoring in graphic design.. though i am VERY worried gd will be completely taken by ai, but i'm also super interested in probably every other major.. something well paying and confident will stay on the job market such as nursing. i truly wanna explore my options

i'm also super unhappy with my college life, i yearn for a large university and having more opportunities and moving farther away. i go to a mainly commuter school now so it's pretty boring

i have to pick my major this upcoming semester (ive been undecided) so it's either graphic design something random. i also have no prerequisites to any other major besides arts, so i'm not sure that would work if i were to transfer either
im not sure if i would be considered a transfer or first year student either since i sort of wanna start over. also by the time i'd transfer it would be my third year and i'd be getting free tuition

so i'm essentially wondering if i should just finish a graphic design degree (since i'd be halfway through, but i don't really want to be trapped) and then go back to school. or if anyone thinks it's a good idea to dig deeper into the process of "starting college over"? or should i just go to cc? i'm super sure though that i want to go to a different college/uni and want to explore my options

edit: i also struggle a bit in school so i'm definitely gonna going to have to reallyyyy commit to something like nursing. that's why im doing graphics now

I’m planning to apply to Emory as a transfer for Fall 2027, and I’m trying to be realistic about my chances. I’m originally from Georgia, but I’ve been attending the University of Arizona for the past two years on a full-ride scholarship. I’m still eligible for my scholarship, but I’m considering leaving Arizona for personal reasons, including difficult experiences with racial tensions involving staff and the surrounding community.
My current GPA is around a 3.1. I know that’s below the typical GPA for admitted Emory transfers, although the published minimum is 3.0. I’ve also seen people on here with 3.7–3.9 GPAs asking if they have a chance, so I’m definitely aware that Emory would be a reach for me 😭.
I had legitimate financial circumstances that affected my academic performance, but I’ve had an upward trend since then. I’m currently studying STEM/Pharmaceutical Sciences, but I’m also considering pursuing business if I transfer, potentially through Goizueta, because I’m interested in the intersection of healthcare and business.
I also considered transferring to UGA, but I currently fall below their 3.3 GPA requirement for students with fewer than 60 transferable hours.
For people who have transferred to Emory or are familiar with the transfer admissions process: would you still apply with a 3.1 GPA if you had legitimate circumstances, a strong explanation, and an upward trend? Is there anything specific you would focus on to make the application as competitive as possible?
I’m not expecting anyone to tell me I’m guaranteed admission—I’m just trying to figure out whether this is a realistic reach worth taking a shot on or if I should focus my applications elsewhere. I’m not expecting anyone to tell me I’m guaranteed admission I’m just trying to figure out whether this is a realistic reach or basically a waste of an application.

For context I got a 2.7 in my physics 2 class as an EE major (my current gpa is a 3.5), and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to retake it in the fall or to just suck it up and take physics 3 next.

I'm getting nervous about applying to ucsd as a transfer and cog sci major, I had debilitating mental health for the beginning and middle of my 3 years at cc, and I'm straightening out myself and improving study habits. Still, my gpa sits pretty low. I'm retaking failed classes this semester, and I'm dedicated to getting all A's and have improved my gpa a bit since then. But, if anyone can share a success story about getting in with a low gpa (preferably in my major or one that isn't that selective) I would appreciate any replies.

I want to transfer into UCSD as a Cognitive Science major with Neural Computation and Machine Learning Specialization. Maaaybe add data science as a minor later (if I get in).

Im taking Calc 1, intro to python, intro to java this semester. Also, has anyone transferred without completing all of the courses on assist.org ? Should I take extra semesters to take calc 2,3 and math 20a, and math 20b before transferring? The math classes are really the only ones I dont have completed yet. I really just want to leave my cc and home as soon as possible. Ive been in cc for almost four years, except for 2 gap semesters (year). I know I might be cooked but I would appreciate any hope or advice!

Hey everyone, as the title suggests, I've been having some trouble with CC due to mental health and overall class difficulty. I had a 4.0 in high school but I chose to take the CC route for financial reasons. Now, I don't really know what to do. I'm aiming for HYPSM, but I also have targets in UCLA, Berkeley, and Caltech. I want safeties outside of T20s as well such as UMich, UVA, VLU, and Georgia Tech. I know these seem out of reach, but they were my targets in high school and I got accepted into a few of them before making the CC route decision.

I understand that the first thing I need to do is consider why I got such a low GPA, and I feel personally that the mental health issues have come from isolation in CC, meaning I think I would do better once I get into a T20 or similar. Any advice for what to do? I am about to finish my transfer apps, and I don't have any options for remedial. Thank you so much for any help!

EDIT: To clarify some questions, I am currently at DVC, a CCC, and trying to major in CS!

EDIT 2: I have been scouted recently by T50s (notably Purdue and Brown) and some lower tier universities but not full ride for lacrosse granted i maintain above a 2.0 as I finish out the semester. I’m obviously super grateful, but I’m really hoping to make it on the radar for my targets and reaches due to the ones I listed being better for CS! Thank you all for your support and helping me ground my expectations!