Large Drop Second Semester - Chance me plz! Forum

[dtl]

So here is the story.

Last semester I ended up with a 3.889 and a spot tied for second. This semester my GPA dropped to 3.762 with a big B and B+ pulling everything down. Given the curve and some statistical magic this means I most likely dropped to around 8% or 13/142. I am currently at University of Arizona ranked in early 40's.

My family is going through some major hard times (including my mother's diagnosis with cancer) in Los Angeles so I am hoping to transfer to that area. I also would be interested in Berkeley or other T14 schools (my mother told me if I pass up a really good school she would be too pissed with me to let me help her through treatment.)

Is it worth trying for berkeley with my stats? I am applying USC/UCLA/UC Irvine for sure because of the area - do I have a fair shot at those? Also - is the T10 something I should be trying for or is that unrealistic with my huge drop?

[abc12345675]

That's not a LARGE jump. You're in the top 10%, you can most likely transfer to USC no problem. I'd give GULC an app, too.

[dtl]

Hrm. I did think it was a pretty big drop but I see that it could be much worse.

Would UCLA be worthwhile to try for then? Berkeley? There seems to be very few ~40s ranked school transfers in the yahoo group database.

Thanks!

[abc12345675]

Yeah I'd try UCLA. Don't know much about Boalt's transfer policies, so I couldn't give you a fair answer there.

But definitely SC and UCLA. I bet you get in to atleast 1

[keg411]

So here is the story.

Last semester I ended up with a 3.889 and a spot tied for second. This semester my GPA dropped to 3.762 with a big B and B+ pulling everything down. Given the curve and some statistical magic this means I most likely dropped to around 8% or 13/142. I am currently at University of Arizona ranked in early 40's.

My family is going through some major hard times (including my mother's diagnosis with cancer) in Los Angeles so I am hoping to transfer to that area. I also would be interested in Berkeley or other T14 schools (my mother told me if I pass up a really good school she would be too pissed with me to let me help her through treatment.)

Is it worth trying for berkeley with my stats? I am applying USC/UCLA/UC Irvine for sure because of the area - do I have a fair shot at those? Also - is the T10 something I should be trying for or is that unrealistic with my huge drop?

If you need to be in LA, why would you apply to Berkeley? Focus on USC/UCLA/Irvine.
I also don't think you're totally shut out of Berkeley with those stats (if you didn't need to be in LA), but they got super picky last year. If you're a CA resident, it will help.

[dtl]

Well, my mother is the one who needs me here. She also told me if I give up a better school she would disown me. So I am leaning towards UCLA/USC but if I get into a significantly better school I may consider it.

Thanks for the replies. I sent applications. Any more opinions would be much appreciated. I am bad at the waiting game.

[Tiresias]

Coming from USC, I would say you are well within the range to get admitted here. I would also emphasize your mother's condition. I know this may seem like milking pity, but it is not. It is a legitimate reason to transfer, and a compelling one at that. It can be used to explain (a) your desire to attend USC/UCLA and (b) the drop in your grades (even if there may be other factors at work).

In fact, we recently had a visiting student from U of AZ this past year. One thing that helped him get here was the fact that his family was here and he wanted to be close to family.

[forestgirl]

I'm not familiar with LA whatsoever so I won't attempt to chance you on any of those schools. This is just a solidarity reply because quite literally, I think we have nearly the exact same grades. I went from 3.88 to 3.6, with a cumulative GPA of 3.74. I'm still top 6% so it may not be as bad as you fear when you get your rank. Go for it-- you've got nothing to lose besides the app fee.

[dtl]

The solidarity is much appreciated! I walked into my finals more confident than first semester. I was extremely surprised when I got a B and B+ (at a 3.33 school).

Are you attempting transfers as well? I had all sorts of highfalutin plans for T1-6 apps but now it just seems like throwing app money away.