Tips for transferring from Diablo Valley College to UCLA?

I'm planning to transfer to UCLA from Diablo Valley College. Can anyone provide advice or share experiences on what I should focus on to make my application strong? Are there specific courses or activities that will improve my chances?

Considering a transfer to a university like UCLA is a great goal! Here's some tips to build a competitive application:

1. Grades: Ensure you're maintaining a high GPA, since this will greatly impact your likelihood of acceptance. A strong GPA signifies to UCLA that you're capable of handling its rigorous academic environment.

2. Courses: Completing all major preparation courses - or as many as possible - should be a priority. These are the courses recommended for your intended major at UCLA. This shows UCLA that you're ready to dive into upper-division coursework.

3. General Education Requirements: Many students seek to complete a set of lower-division general education, or breadth requirements, before transferring. However, in California, being certified as having completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is not a requirement for transfer to UCLA from a California community college.

4. Transfer Agreements: Check if DVC has any transfer agreements with UCLA. Some community colleges in California have Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) agreements with certain UCs. Unfortunately, UCLA does not participate in the TAG program. Still, they do offer a Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) for students transferring from California Community Colleges who are members of their school’s Honors Program or are TAP certified.

5. Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in relevant extracurricular activities, such as clubs or organizations that relate to your intended major, could also strengthen your application. Leadership roles in these organizations would make you stand out even more.

6. Personal Insight Questions: Spend considerable time on your Personal Insight Questions. This is one of the main ways that admission officers get to know you as an individual. Make sure to highlight your strengths, unique experiences, and how you've grown during your time at DVC.

7. Assist.org: Use Assist.org, a student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. This helps you to map your course selection efficiently.

8. Academic Counselor: Regularly meet with an academic counselor at DVC and consider seeking advice from UCLA admissions officers. They can guide you regarding prerequisites and application procedures.

Remember, while academic factors are significant, UCLA uses holistic review, considering all aspects of your application to build a complete picture of you as a candidate.

Happy transferring!