How will Adcoms view transferring from a UC to a CSU

[LincolnTwins]

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To give a little background: I go to a UC right now, but am considering moving to a Cal State.

The economy hit my family hard, and we were forced out of our house this quarter, so I decided not to take any science classes to help with moving and stuff (My mom stays at home with my bro and sis, and my dad is gone 3/4 of the month because he is a truckdriver). Furthermore, I didn't take any in the Fall Quarter because of a summer program I did that helped me mature about deciding what I wanted to do in life.

The thing is, I know UCs have a reputation for being "harder" than CSUs but CSUs are cheaper. I dont want Adcoms to think I am running away from a UC, but I dont know where Ill get the money to stay at this UC (I have a 3.44 science gpa, 3.58 math+sci gpa, and 3.8 overall gpa- which I think should show I am capable of getting into pharm school).

I want to give my self the best opportunities later on down the road, and want to get into the best pharm school I can (I am shooting for UCSF, USC, UCSD). Will going to a CSU lower my chances?

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

 

[eightonesix]

Sorry to hear about the change 🙁 Did you really want to stay at a UC? If so, they can offer you money (after filling out FAFSA and such) esp with your GPA. I go to UC Davis and one of my friends is getting through school on all scholarship money. But I understand your situation. People from CSUs get into grad schools on the same footing that UCs do, even people just from CCs with the pre-pharm work, so it is not necessarily much different. Although Ive been told (and possibly lied to for this matter) that UCs hold higher prestige and recognition for the difficulty of classes. I'm sure that when you apply you could mention reasons as to why you switched, but if anything, you continuing to do well with school and additional stuff to boost your application should be just fine 🙂

 

[UES Girl]

To give a little background: I go to a UC right now, but am considering moving to a Cal State.

The economy hit my family hard, and we were forced out of our house this quarter, so I decided not to take any science classes to help with moving and stuff (My mom stays at home with my bro and sis, and my dad is gone 3/4 of the month because he is a truckdriver). Furthermore, I didn't take any in the Fall Quarter because of a summer program I did that helped me mature about deciding what I wanted to do in life.

The thing is, I know UCs have a reputation for being "harder" than CSUs but CSUs are cheaper. I dont want Adcoms to think I am running away from a UC, but I dont know where Ill get the money to stay at this UC (I have a 3.44 science gpa, 3.58 math+sci gpa, and 3.8 overall gpa- which I think should show I am capable of getting into pharm school).

I want to give my self the best opportunities later on down the road, and want to get into the best pharm school I can (I am shooting for UCSF, USC, UCSD). Will going to a CSU lower my chances?

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

It's really up to what kind of candidate you are and how you present yourself. Simply going to UC isn't going to make up for being a weak candidate. Just like going to CSU isn't a dead sentence. I went to and am graduating from CSU from the start and I already landed 4 interviews out fo the 5 letters that I received. Still have like 10 letters coming in. At the same time I know people that went to UC and didn't get in anywhere. It's really up to you and how hard you are willing to work.

 

[FresnoPharmD]

They'll understand the move if you explain it to them like that. A CSU is completely what you make of it. I'm graduating from one and I've fared pretty well in this whole process. I think you'll be fine. 🙂

 

[jmcfa002]

I actually did what you thinking about, went from a UC to CSU, and for mainly for the same reason (money). Its only my 2nd quarter at CSU, so I can't tell you if it matters to adcoms yet. I didn't realized it until I started at Cal State, but I really didn't like the UC I was at. It was probably one of the best decisions I'v made, as long as it doens't harshly affect me. E-mail the schools you are planning on applying to and let them know the reasons and see what they say. That may give you a better idea.

Hope that helps