<p>So I'm about to enter my second year at a JC and was planning on completely finishing IGETC by this fall and being ready to transfer next year. I am scheduled to take a math class this summer as a pre-req for stats and was going to take stats in the fall. However, now I have to have emergency surgery ASAP and my summer class starts next week... in short, it ain't happening.</p>
<p>I will take stats this spring now, and I technically could still apply this fall. I'm trying to transfer to Cal as a peace & conflict studies major. I have a high GPA but am still not impressed with leaving math until the spring before transfer. I'm sure the UCs wouldn't be either. The 3 years would probably work out better in this regard because I will have math finished at the time I apply. But, I will have IGETC completely finished this spring so any classes I take in my third year would be entirely supplemental.</p>
<p>I'm on bed rest and can't go speak to a counselor, so I'm hoping you guys will have some answers for me! I'd have 75 units at the time of transfer with this route, but I'm not too worried about that. I'll definitely use the lighter class load to rack up some more ECs, so there's a bonus. I also work close to full time so I'm hoping I'll be able to get an even higher GPA with a lighter class load. My question is, will the lighter class load spread over 3 years be unimpressive to admissions officers with ECs and almost full-time work? Also, would it look bad if I finished IGETC AND all of my major pre-reqs and then took another year at the JC?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>A lot of ppl attend CC for 3 years, if not more.</p>
<p>Absolutely. I’m just concerned about taking 12 units per semester vs. 15 and taking an extra year after completely finishing my major pre-reqs and IGETC. I’m probably worrying over nothing, but I definitely do want to make sure it will end up okay!</p>
<p>I also just realized that next semester I will technically only be taking 9 UC-transferable units (13 total), will this matter?</p>
<p>3 years at a CCC will not affect your application negatively in any way. However, I would suggest making sure you still take 12 credits per fall & spring semester so you are considered full time. I’m not sure if this has any influence technically, but I think it makes you look like a more well rounded student if you are still full time and working.</p>
<p>On a personal note, my freshman year of school I was having kidney problems and I kept ignoring it because I had JUST started school at a 4 year university. My kidney ended up failing and I got W’s in all of my classes due to being hospitalized (needing surgery) and recovery etc. Then I got better for half of Winter session, and relapsed again at the end and into the Spring and got a bunch more W’s, D’s, & an F. My teachers were dbags but after that year I decided to go back to CC. I spent 3 years here (finishing IGETC & a ridiculous amount of pre-reqs) and now I’m transferring to Berkeley. </p>
<p>Though I’m a little sad that I’m on a 6 year plan, who really cares? As long as you finish school and do well, that’s the best you can hope for. An extra year to take more classes at your CC and bump up your GPA and application potential might even help you get into a better school than you were planning on going to!</p>
<p>I had years where I took time off. I explained the gaps on my application. The schools just want to hear that you did something productive while you were not in school. Anyhow, I got into UCLA ;)</p>
<p>I spent 10 years at CCC justing taking classes trying to figure out what I really wanted (I was also working at a job I really liked just wasn’t making enough.) Still was accepted to UCSD I don’t think my longer stay at CCC hurt at all.</p>
<p>This was all really helpful, thank you so much!</p>
<p>killmyentourage – Wow, that’s quite an experience! It’s great you made it through and didn’t let your health get the best of you! Berkeley is my top choice also. I am also a little bummed it’s going to take me longer than usual to get my B.A., but that’s really the only con to this it seems. I will definitely appreciate one more year at home to get my stuff together before my transfer.</p>
<p>I got into Cal, I took 4 years to transfer (3 year gap though) and only took 8 units the spring I got accepted to Cal.</p>
<p>People taking 3+ years at CC for a variety of reasons. I don’t think anything that you’ve mentioned looks “bad” necessarily - it’s not the “typical” 2 year route, but obviously, not everyone takes that route. If that is what will work out for you best, then 3 years is perfectly fine.</p>
<p>I was at community college for 15 years. I had to run my business, so I was only able to take a class or two at a time.</p>
<p>I was accepted to UCLA with a 3.55, so I don’t think it will impact you negatively.</p>
<p>Awesome, thank you for all the input everyone!!</p>
<p>I did 3 years due to health reasons too (and several of the quarters I ended up being part time in the end – dropped classes, etc) still got into Berkeley/LA/USC. So long as you have a reason - and I explained mine - they don’t seem to care. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yup. 8 years at CC with no real excuse and no ECs and still got into Cal. I think they just care about GPA, finishing IGETC and having a good personal statement.</p>
<p>*also had about 10 Ws and 2 Fs retaken to get As. UCs respect an upward trend.</p>
<p>This is all really great news!</p>
<p>I do have another question though. I accidentally miscalculated the number of units I would be taking next semester (I’m gonna blame it on being hopped up on pain meds, haha). I’m actually at 11, 7 of them UC transferable. If I’m correct the minimum number of units to be considered full time is 12 – if I only take 11 units how will this affect me in regards to financial aid, etc.? This 1 unit physical science lab is a huge bummer!</p>
<p>Bumping this, still unsure of being one unit shy of full time status will affect financial aid!</p>
<p>Yes if you anything under 2 you are not full time, some finical aid has reduced aid if your are part time but others will give you nada, 11 units will effect you. Look for a 1 unit online class, or a P.E. class in something you might like or would like to learn, but get that 1 unit. Wgay college are you at right now?</p>
<p>Super late reply, sorry about that, recovery time from surgery was longer than expected. I’m currently at Santa Rosa Junior College and I get my fees waived through I think the Pell Grant. I’m actually really confused about how my fees are waived. My parents’ income was a few hundred over the guidelines for the BOG Waiver but I was told that I “qualified through FAFSA” and my enrollment fees and $40 of my parking pass are waived. So, I’m again not sure how this is going to effect me. I’m still sitting at 11 units right now. </p>
<p>Actually, haha, I just saw there’s a 1 unit equine science class that works with my schedule. I had horses basically my entire life before college, so I guess it wouldn’t be totally random if I took it for the full time status. I think I’m gonna go ahead and go for that just to be on the safe side. Thanks a bunch for the response.</p>