Ideal GPA for transferring from Santa Monica College to UCLA?

I currently attend Santa Monica College and want to know what GPA is typically needed to transfer to UCLA. If anyone has insight or personal stories about transferring, I would appreciate it!

Generally speaking, to be competitive for an admission offer from UCLA as a transfer student, aiming for a college GPA of 3.5 or higher is advisable. However, the exact GPA requirement can vary depending on the program or department to which you are applying.

For instance, if you're applying to highly competitive programs such as Engineering or the School of Theater, Film, and Television, the transfer GPA is often higher, sometimes approaching 4.0. Conversely, for less competitive programs, you might have a shot with a little lower GPA.

Keep in mind though that a high GPA alone will not guarantee admission. UCLA, like many universities, looks at the entire application holistically. In other words, while a strong GPA is an important part of your application, things like your extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation will also be considered.

Lastly, the odds of being accepted can be significantly higher if you are qualified for and take advantage of the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program available to California community college students. UCLA, however, is not a participating member of the TAG program, so this won't be applicable in your situation.

In conclusion, while there are no definite GPA thresholds, consistently achieving high grades in your courses at Santa Monica College will bolster your chances of admission. Aim for at least a 3.5, but remember that the more competitive your desired program, the higher your GPA should ideally be. Reach out to transfer admissions at UCLA for program specific GPA averages. Also, make sure your whole application - activities, essays, and recs - is strong.