Santa Clara University

Although the November 30th UC Admissions deadline has passed, there still remains many options to consider – especially for community college students. Many private universities offer transfer admission agreements or contracts. Among the various private universities, Santa Clara University is one of them. Located within the Bay Area of California and near community colleges such as Foothill College and De Anza College, Santa Clara University is an option to consider for transfer students.

Under Santa Clara University’s Transfer Admission Agreement, a list and overview of guidelines are provided to aid in the transfer process which is as follows:

1. Transfer Admission Agreements (TAAs) may be written for fall quarter admission only
2. TAAs are submitted to Santa Clara from January 1st to March 1st (this allows students to include their most recent transcript, which includes the fall term grades along with the TAA)
3. Required Courses: It is recommended that you refer to your school’s most recent transfer guide for courses recommended for particular majors
4. Additional courses are required for the specific majors of: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Computer Science, and Economics
5. Grade Point Average (GPA): SCU requires a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in transferable courses for Arts & Sciences. The School of Engineering and the Leavey School of Business require a minimum GPA of 3.5
6. Transfer students must earn at least 30 transferable semester units or 45 transferable quarter units (these courses must include the required courses for each major) by the end of the Fall term (courses planned for the Summer Term will not be considered in the TAA)
7. Students with English as a second language must complete their 2 English Composition and Math courses with a B or higher by Fall term. Students who have not satisfied these requirements can prove their language proficiency by submitting SAT and TOEFL (Test of English a Foreign Language) scores.
8. No “Pass/No Pass” or “Credit” basis is accepted
9. The following students are not eligible for TAAs:

• Students who have completed post-secondary coursework outside of the United States
• Students on academic probation who have been disqualified from another college or university
• Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree

For additional information students can visit the Santa Clara University contact page.

Related posts:

1. UC Santa Cruz Not Accepting Applications for Winter 2011
2. San Jose State University Fall 2011 Applicants
3. San José State University (SJSU) Spring 2011 Admission Applications

University of California

thousands upon thousands of applications are filled out, submitted, and review by the University of California (UC) admissions departments. Many of those who apply are not admitted, but a percentage of applicants do go on to continue their education at a University of California campus. Throughout high schools in America (and specifically the state of California), workshops are held for University of California applicants in particular. These workshops aim to provide a general and informed overview of the application process, what information you would need present to fill out the online form, and in many cases, provide help and guidance regarding the personal statement portion of the application process.

It is generally known that when applying to a University of California (UC) – or any university for that matter – a factor in your chances of being admitted to the college of your choice falls within two major categories:

Academic Grades and your Personal Statement

Your grades act and serve as a reflection for the type of student you are in the classroom, or how strong you are in a particular subject or subjects. Your personal statement is a closer and more intimate view of that you as a person. The personal statement provides the University of California’s admission officers a better idea of who you are as an individual. This is where you have the opportunity to say something about yourself that you grades do not or have not already reflected.

Although your academic records/grades and your personal statement are two of the largest and most significant factors in your application process, there are still many parts of the process that are addressed, considered, and weighed carefully by the admissions board of University of California. One of the major categories of criteria that admissions officers also consider are your Activities and Awards section of the online application. This section of the UC application includes criteria such as:

1. Awards/Honors
2. Extracurricular Activities
3. Community Service
4. Education Preparation Programs
5. Coursework Other than A-G
6. Work Experience

Year in and year out, many University of California applicants focus primarily on filling out the portion of the application regarding academia and personal statements. In doing so, it is very easy to overlook or underestimate the importance of the Activities and Awards section. This section plays an important role in the decision making process for a number of different reasons. To begin with, the awards/honors section adds to your overall picture as to what type of applicant you are, i.e. a highly motivated individual who seeks out competitions and awards to become recognized in a particular talent, subject, or discipline.

Extracurricular activities allow you to appear well-rounded by displaying what you prefer to do on your off time from school. Community service shows your involvement in the world around you. The number of different educational preparation programs you are involved in shows your level of concern regarding the future of your education. Coursework other than A-G reveals your interest in subjects not strictly required by your school system, and work experience portrays a certain ability to time manage your life so that you can both receive an education, and realize yourself as part of the workforce in your community.

For these reasons, it is important not to overlook sections on your University of California applicant as they can really improve upon your application as a whole and say something about you that otherwise who not have been known to the admissions board of the UC system.

To take a look at the actual steps you will need to take to apply, visit the UC Application

Related posts:

1. University of California (UC) Application Checklist
2. 4 Days Until the 2011 UC Application Filing Period
3. Transfer Applicants, Walk-through the 2011 UC Application

California State University Accepting Spring 2011 Applicants

August 31, 2010 was supposed to be the application deadline for students interested in transferring to a CSU for spring 2011.  However, in an announcement yesterday, the CSU Chancellor’s Office sent out a notice informing community colleges of their intention to continue to accept applications until September 27, 2010.  However, the applicants admission status is continent on the state budget and restoring the funded needed for the increase in student enrollment.

The College Application Process

Student applications have been handled in the following way thus far:

1. Applications were received at specific CSU campuses
2. CSU campuses began the eligibility review process to admit eligible and qualified students
3. CSU’s waiting to hear about the state budget before offering acceptance notices to students
4. students who have applied for admission to the spring term will be notified by campuses shortly after September 27 regarding the status of their applications

The CSU notice stated:

Should the CSU not receive a restoration of funding and not be able to admit new students for the term, applicants may request their admission application be changed to the fall 2011 term or may request that their application be withdrawn and the application fee be refunded.

New applicants are encouraged to visit the CSUMentor and specific campus websites for additional updates and information.

Related posts:

1. CSU Chancellor’s Office Announces Spring 2011 Transfer Update
2. CSU to Admit New Students This Winter and Spring 2011
3. CSULB Extends Spring 2011 Transfer Application Deadline

photo: csus.edu

An announcement was released early Saturday morning from Sacramento State Admissions Office.  The announcement is in light of the CSU Chancellor’s Office directing all CSU campuses to accept application for admissions for the Spring 2011 quarter.  Even those CSU campuses that were prepared to remain closed are accepting transfer applications from students.   This request was made in an effort to demonstrate unmet student demand and secure the $360 million that would be provided the CSU System should the Governor’s Restoration and additional enrollment growth funding be approved by the legislature.

CSU Sacramento Specific Updates

Sacramento State is now open to receive applications from upper division transfer students for Spring 2011. In the announcement, it stated:

We remain closed to all other categories. We will also remain closed in our impacted programs for Spring 2011: Graphic Design, Interior Design and Nursing.

CSU Sacramento Application Filing Period

As the case with the other CSU campuses, Sacramento State’s Admissions Office will receive applications filed between August 1 and August 30, 2010 only. While these applications may be processed, no applicants will be admitted until we know more about the budget. If the budget improves to the necessary level, the college will be in a position to admit applicants. If the campus does not receive the necessary funds, qualified applicants will have the option to move their application to the Fall 2011 semester or receive a refund of the collected application fee.

For more specific information on Sacramento State, please check their website periodically at: CSU Sacramento

For continued CSU system updates, visit CSU Mentor

Tips on Transferring to Sacramento State

• Meet with your Community College Counselor regularly and develop a Student Education Plan (SEP) to transfer
• Complete the Golden Four:  (A1) Oral communication, (A2) Written communication, (A3) Critical thinking and (B4) Math/ Quantitative Reasoning (college level math) early
• Visit Assist for more information about lower division major pre-requisite courses required for your major
• Meet with a Sacramento State college representative at your college fair or transfer center
• Have copies of college transcripts on hand to complete you college application

Related posts:

1. Spring 2011 Admissions Update From Sacramento State University
2. San José State University (SJSU) Spring 2011 Admission Applications
3. CSU Extends Spring 2011 Application Period

CSULB Transfer Update

San Francisco (CollegeToCareers.com)-  California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) sent out an email Thursday morning to community colleges updating them on recent news about CSULB and the upcoming 2010 – 2011 academic year.  It stated that CSULB remains committed to transfer student success and to partnering with community colleges to help students meet their educational and transfer goals.  The Beach, as it’s affectionately known, is committed to providing the latest transfer admission information to help facilitate transfer students’ access and successful transition to CSULB.

The following are updates for 2010-2011.

Fall 2010:

• CSULB received an unprecedented number of applications for Fall 2010.
• Over 71,000 applications were received of which 21,973 applications were from transfers students.  That’s an increase of 48.6% from previous years.
• Despite budget challenges, CSULB is welcoming approximately 200 more new transfer students this September 2010 than they did last Fall 2009.

Spring 2011:

• At this time, CSULB is closed to transfer students for Spring 2011.  This is consistent to most CSU’s in the CSU system.
• If the state budget is passed in a timely manner and allows for increased enrollment, new transfers will be a priority.

Fall 2011:

• CSULB expects to increase the size of the transfer class for Fall 2011. The size of the increase will depend on the outcome of the state budget.  We will post more here as budget news develops.
• All transfer admission requirements for Fall 2011 must be completed by the end of the previous Spring semester. Summer coursework in progress will no longer be allowed for any majors.
• All impacted majors now require completion of specific lower-division courses along with other supplemental requirements.

A link to our comprehensive impacted majors Web site is provided below.

• Communicative Disorders has been added as an impacted major.

Important CSULB Links:

Fall 2011 Impacted major preparation with the new supplemental requirements:

Impacted Majors Information

Fall 2009 Transfer GPA’s:

Transfer GPA’s Needed

Additional CSULB Updates:

• Nursing majors get ready!  The School of Nursing will open its doors to a 4.3 million dollar building addition this August which will provide a state-of-the-art computer lab and additional classrooms.
• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will also open this August with a new 126,000 square foot, two story, state-of- the-art recreation facility for all students, associates and affiliates (including CSULB alums).

For additional CSULB transfer information, visit CSULB Admissions .

College Majors:  Start looking at colleges early and complete any major prerequisites a head of time because it will save you time when it comes to transferring…Especially nursing majors!”

Related posts:

1. CSULB to Admit Upper Division Transfers for Spring 2011
2. CSULB will accept upper division transfer applications Spring 2011
3. CSULB Extends Spring 2011 Transfer Application Deadline

UC Santa Cruz Admission 2011

UC Santa Cruz has just made a decision about Winter 2011 admission.  They are planning to send out communication through their Slug Connection.  If you haven’t signed up for their newsletter, I recommend you do so today.

The following notice went out to all community college counselors from the UCSC’s Admissions office.

Breaking News – UC Santa Cruz Not Accepting Applications for Winter 2011

UC Santa Cruz will not be accepting applications from upper-division transfer students for winter 2011, as was originally planned.

The number of fall 2010 transfer students who accepted their offers of admission was much larger than anticipated. With this unprecedented increase, UCSC has met its transfer enrollment goal for the academic year 2010-11. Given our commitment to quality and access to student resources, we will need to close for winter.

UCSC will be accepting applications from new freshmen and new transfer students for fall 2011 in November 2010.

What does this mean for community college students?

Students at community colleges should plan on transferring in the fall semester to a four year university.  However, there are a few schools remaining that will be accepting winter or spring transfers for the 2011 academic year.  I would encourage you to contact the individual school you are interested in attending to find out if they will be accepting mid year transfers.  You can find most of the California 4-year universities contact information on our college directory.

College Majors:  “Contact the school you are wanting to transfer to directly for specific application dates and times if you are not choosing a public college.”

Related posts:

1. Connect With UC Santa Cruz (UCSC)
2. Cal Poly Pomona Now Accepting Spring 2011 Applications
3. CSU to Admit New Students This Winter and Spring 2011

Steps After Acceptance

Many students have heard now if they are being admitted to various four year colleges and universities across the nation.  For those fortunate students that have been admitted to a four year college, either freshman or transfer student, there are a series of steps that you will need to complete in order to complete your acceptance of admissions.

Private colleges, public universities and career colleges all have their own process after sending out the acceptance letters.  Students will be receiving a letter of acceptance which outlines what students are required to do.  For example, UC Berkeley has a specific outline that students should follow, otherwise their admissions will be void.

The outline of steps consists of the following:

STEP ONE: Completing Statement of Intention to Register (SIR).  Similar to student athletes who sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to attend a specific school to play a sport, the regular student population signs a SIR.

UC Berkeley has a their SIR online that you can fill out.  This is their official method of acceptance.  Simply informing the department which you will be working with is not enough.  You need to let the Admissions office know officially via this form.

STEP TWO: Every college has their own online student system.  For UC Berkeley for example, they call it Bear Facts and activating a CalNet ID.  A CalNet ID is your online identity at UC Berkeley and will be used for authentication purposes throughout your time on campus.  Check with the individual campus you are accepted to because they will have their own systems.  UC Santa Barbara has the Gold system.

STEP THREE: Completing Statement of Legal Residence (SLR).  All schools will want to know if you are a resident of the state the college is located in.  This form is required of all new students and enables the Office of the Registrar to determine the fees you will be assessed.  They usually want this form submitted around mid June.  You can usually access this form from the online account you set up in step 2.  Otherwise, you can always call the Registrar’s office.

STEP FOUR: Now its time to fill out the financial aid forms or update them if you already have.  Many students select a few different schools on their FAFSA if they applied to different schools.  But now that you know what school you are attending, you can let FAFSA know the school you will be attending in the fall semester or quarter.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form.

OR

Complete the Non-Immigrant Information Form (NIF).  If you are not a citizen or permanent resident (holding a valid green card) of the United States, complete the online Non-Immigration Information Form (NIF).

Additional Information for New College Students

• Contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) if you are in need of support services
• Use web links to the housing, health and medical insurance, orientations, and other campus resources
• Visit the Registrar’s office for tuition and fee schedules

Regardless of what college you go to, these tend to be the 4 major steps students must follow to ensure they accept their admittance properly and efficiently.

Related posts:

1. UC’s Notify Accepted Transfer Students
2. Touring the UC Campus System
3. San Francisco State University Admissions