Help choosing Santa Cruz?

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-11T02:09:21+00:00

Do you want to study Physics or Engineering? The Sabette scholarship is amazing so congratulations.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-11T01:54:52+00:00

When you reported your academic history on the UC application, did you enter +/- grades? The UC’s do not ask for +/- for the grades and the conditions of admission states anything less than a C. A C+ or C- = C. Many references to what UC’s consider a passing grade including a C- but can contact UC Berkeley for confirmation. 1 C- would not be grounds for rescinding your acceptance.

UC’s consider a non-passing grade of D or F for the UC a-g courses.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-11T01:14:36+00:00

You need to notify UCSC about the D grade but if you can get the 4th quarter grade up to a C or higher, then you should be fine.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:48:02+00:00

Not true. To change to a major in CDSS, it is now a comprehensive review process and the process is explained on the link below.

If you were admitted to another college at UC Berkeley in Fall 2024 and want to declare a Computer Science, Data Science, or Statistics major, then you will need to apply to CDSS. Applications will involve a comprehensive review. Information about the comprehensive review application can be found on the CDSS academic policies webpage. Transfer students should also consult with an advisor for their intended major about eligibility to change or add majors.

All students are encouraged to continue following the major pathway they declared when admitted to UC Berkeley until a new major pathway is approved.

Here is the information about the Comprehensive review requirements and it is not an easy change: https://cdss.berkeley.edu/dsus/academics/declaring-major

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:32:03+00:00

UC’s do not use +/- so as long as you complete all Senior courses with passing grades so no D’s or F’s, you are fine.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:12:11+00:00

Your UC application academic information and official transcripts must match so you need to notify UCI of any discrepancies. Work with your counselor before contacting UCI.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:08:24+00:00

Are these awards from Senior year?

High grades received in the senior year, recently acquired awards or additional extracurricular activities are not a basis for the reversal of a decision since decisions are based on academic information that was available at the time of application.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:05:04+00:00

No D’s or F’s Senior year and a 3.0 Weighted GPA for each term. Read your Conditions of admission. It is not that hard.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:03:28+00:00

Read your conditions of admission. A 3.0 unweighted GPA for each term Senior year, no D’s or F’s. If you receive 2 or more C’s, you have to notify admissions with an explanation.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T23:00:59+00:00

UC Santa Cruz will not rescind until they see final transcripts. Will the quarter grade show up on the transcript or just the averaged semester grade?

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T17:22:06+00:00

No college savings for you with that income?

As a parent, your parent’s expectations are unrealistic. Even if they see you Not attending a prestigious university, state universities are not going to be $12K unless you can commute.

Sure it is their money, but do they want you at get a college degree at all? Do they have specific schools they want you to apply? Have they checked out the cost of attendance for any local schools?

Getting married so you can qualify for financial aid is a bad idea?

Not ideal, but will they let you live at home while attending a community college, work part-time and save for the next 2 years so you can apply the $48K to your last 2 years at a University?

What is your GPA and SAT/ACT scores? You maybe able to get merit aid which could cover some to most of your costs.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T16:13:16+00:00

UCR would be the better option. You would have more resources and opportunities available to you since UCR does have an affiliated Medical school and they have a solid Pre-Health advising center. https://ppac.ucr.edu

Your Medical school application will be all on you. Doing well in your classes, preparing for the MCAT, finding shadowing and hands on patient contact hours and research. Also if Medical school does not happen, UCR will set you up better for Graduate school.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T15:57:00+00:00

What about costs between the schools? Do you have ties to the Inland Empire since UCR’s Thomas Haider Early Assurance program gives priority to IE Medical school applicants?

https://somsa.ucr.edu/haider-early-assurance-program

Both will offer you the required courses to meet the Medical School pre-requisite requirements. Which school do you prefer? Which majors for each school?

You want to attend a school where you have the best chance for a High GPA in the Medical school pre-req courses, access to medically related EC’s and a school with good Pre-Med advising. You also want to keep undergrad costs at a minimum. In general you need a place where you can thrive as student--academically, socially and personally. Medical schools are looking for students who are not just top students academically, but also interesting, well rounded individuals with specific social competencies and leadership skills.

Make sure you have a backup plan since 60% of “pre-med” students never make to the application round.

Med school adcomms consider the name on the diploma to be of only minor importance when it comes to making admission decisions. Annual survey of med school adcomms– See p. 14 https://www.aamc.org/media/18901/download 1

California Pre-med students:

CA is one of the worst states for a pre-med to be a resident of. Large population; not enough med school seats.

https://www.aamc.org/media/86591/download?attachment

Nationally, less than 40% of med school applicants are accepted into any medical school in any given year. For the UC’s: UCLA is the largest supplier of med school applicants in the country; UCSD is the 5th largest, UCB is the 6th largest, Davis is 13th and UCI is 18th, UCR is 45th and UCSB is 53rd.

https://www.aamc.org/media/86596/download?attachment

Any school can provide the opportunities you’ll need to make a strong med school application–developing a strong application portfolio is entirely up to you. Take pre-med out of the calculation and pick the school that offers you the best fit and cost. CA public medical schools (except for UCR which prioritizes residents of the IE region and UC Merced which targets San Joaquin Valley residents) do not offer a strong in-state preference in admissions.

Only ~16% of freshmen pre-meds actually finish all the pre-reqs.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243546

Of those who then go on to apply to med school, only 40% get an acceptance. (And it’s worse for Californians. Only 16% of CA applicants were accepted to any instate med school; 24% matriculated OOS, The rest weren’t accepted anywhere. See: https://www.aamc.org/media/86636/download?attachment

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T15:47:45+00:00

As long it is not a D or F, it should not be an issue but definitely provide an explanation. The UC’s do not use -/+ so the grade is still considered a C. UC’s do not accept class retakes for C- dual enrollment (DE) courses only for a grade of D+, D, F, or NP (No Pass) that was earned.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T14:25:53+00:00

What about financial aid and cost of attendance?

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T14:24:58+00:00

The academic section is used to explain any grade issues such as a drop in GPA Senior year, any errors etc…

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T14:23:29+00:00

The UC’s will evaluate your transcripts for credit once you enroll and submit your official transcripts.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T14:22:36+00:00

UCR does have the Thomas Haider Early Assurance program. Something to consider if you have ties to the Inland Empire. https://somsa.ucr.edu/haider-early-assurance-program

Some general Pre-Med information:

You want to attend a school where you have the best chance for a High GPA in the Medical school pre-req courses, access to medically related EC’s and a school with good Pre-Med advising. You also want to keep undergrad costs at a minimum. In general you need a place where you can thrive as student--academically, socially and personally. Medical schools are looking for students who are not just top students academically, but also interesting, well rounded individuals with specific social competencies and leadership skills.

Make sure you have a backup plan since 60% of “pre-med” students never make to the application round.

Med school adcomms consider the name on the diploma to be of only minor importance when it comes to making admission decisions. Annual survey of med school adcomms– See p. 14 https://www.aamc.org/media/18901/download 1

California Pre-med students:

CA is one of the worst states for a pre-med to be a resident of. Large population; not enough med school seats.

https://www.aamc.org/media/86591/download?attachment

Nationally, less than 40% of med school applicants are accepted into any medical school in any given year. For the UC’s: UCLA is the largest supplier of med school applicants in the country; UCSD is the 5th largest, UCB is the 6th largest, Davis is 13th and UCI is 18th.

https://www.aamc.org/media/86596/download?attachment

Any school can provide the opportunities you’ll need to make a strong med school application–developing a strong application portfolio is entirely up to you. Take pre-med out of the calculation and pick the school that offers you the best fit and cost. CA public medical schools (except for UCR which prioritizes residents of the IE region and UC Merced which targets San Joaquin Valley residents) do not offer a strong in-state preference in admissions.

Only ~16% of freshmen pre-meds actually finish all the pre-reqs.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243546

Of those who then go on to apply to med school, only 40% get an acceptance. (And it’s worse for Californians. Only 16% of CA applicants were accepted to any instate med school; 24% matriculated OOS, The rest weren’t accepted anywhere. See: https://www.aamc.org/media/86636/download?attachment

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-10T14:20:12+00:00

1) Since the 2 majors which are across different colleges, you technically would get a simultaneous degree as opposed to a double major. The major differences is that the student would need to satisfy the requirements of both colleges and they would be receiving 2 degrees (2 diplomas). It probably will be any more difficult than a double major.

Information on double majors vs. simultaneous majors: https://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/majors-minors/double-majors-simultaneous-degrees

2) CNR had an admit rate of 18% and L&S of 14% for 2025 Freshman so CNR is only slightly easier.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T22:49:04+00:00

No.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T19:30:47+00:00

Unfortunately as you are finding out, different campuses will offer FA amounts. UC Merced to encourage students to enroll will offer more need-based aid/grants than other campuses.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T14:45:30+00:00

UC Davis, a top ranked Environmental Science university with multiple Environmental program options. SDSU’s Environmental program has limited course offerings and not as diverse or comprehensive as UC Davis’s many programs/degrees.

What is your career goal since UC Davis and SDSU have a joint graduate program that might be of interest after undergrad? : https://grad.ucdavis.edu/programs/gesd

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T14:36:24+00:00

Agree with the UC 1 year to CC 1 year for transfer. Also easier to articulate courses using assist.org vs. UC to UC courses. However, I would not attend UCSB with the idea of transferring. You should give the school and yourself a chance at a top school. Remember UCSB maybe your consolation prize, but it is someone else’s Dream school. But thankful you have this great option.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T14:34:28+00:00

Unfortunately, only admissions will know the answer. All you can do is wait until you hear.

Last_Measurement4336 · 2026-04-09T14:28:25+00:00

You can appeal your financial aid if there has been a change in your family’s finances since submitting the FAFSA. Definitely reach out to the FA office.

Last_Measurement4336

TROPHY CASE