I am 19 and just began my second year of community college. By the end of this semester, I should have about 45 credits, and by the end of next semester, I should have about 60 credits. I have done really well at community college, and might be transferring to a school like Cal, UCLA, USC, UWashington–Seattle, etc.
On the other hand, the social life at community college is really rough. I was very popular in high school, but most of my high school friends could afford college, and therefore, I was left in the dust at community college.
So my question is, could I transfer to these schools as a sophomore applicant, even though I have enough credits? I could potentially take fewer classes each semester, or just graduate in the winter instead (a semester early).
I have already taken into consideration that the cost will obviously be more if I chose this path. I am also one of the youngest in my class (I just turned 19), so I am basically the same age as the class below me.
Thanks.
You need to contact each place and find out what their policy is. Many places will only accept 60 semester hours of transfer credit from a community college. If you have earned more credits than that, you might have the option of choosing which credits to use toward your degree.
The California public universities prefer to take junior level transfers.
Ok, but neither of you are addressing my question. Would I be allowed to transfer in as a sophomore rather than a junior?
If you have below 60 credits, then very few UC’s accept Sophomore level transfers and have limits on which majors they accept. It is difficult for most transfers to have all the major prep classes completed for transfer under the 60 units. If you will have 60 units of UC transferable credits by Spring 2018, yes you can transfer to the UC’s and that would be the preferable path at least for the UC’s. It will also make you a Junior level transfer with 60 credits. As long as you have completed all required transfer courses with a competitive GPA, you will be fine for the UC’s. I cannot answer for the other schools.
Here is a link for UC Transfer GPA by campus and major.
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
You’d have to check the schools’ transfer policies and/or check with their registrar. At my son’s college, class standing is automatically determined based on the number of credits a student has. Last year you mentioned you were at Brandeis. Do the 45 credits you’ll have by the end of this semester include whatever you earned there? Colleges will consider all attempted credits.
Are you from MA? Public colleges in CA won’t be affordable if you’re an OOS student. Since costs are an issue you need to pick some options you know for sure will be affordable. I’d try to maximize your credits, not minimize them. The goal (especially for lower income students) is to get a degree. It’s pretty risky to try to add a year (and come up with a way to finance it) because you want more time to
socialize. How will you pay for a 5th year of college?