<p>Hi everyone! I am new to CC just like I'm new to the the US. I'm currently a senior and looking for community college before transferring to UC/CSU. I'm quite sure that my major is Chemistry (I hope I won't change it in the future). I am still considering between IVC and OCC since I heard a lot of different things about them. I came to both campuses and they're both good to me since I couldn't visit any real lecture time. </p>
<p>Anyone who has experiences on these 2 schools please give me some ideas. I heard that IVC is a very competitive college =>it's hard to maintain high GPA but it has the highest transfer rate to UC. Is that true? Please give me some ideas about this. </p>
<p><em>IVC</em>
_ Takes about 35 mins driving (local)
_ Very quiet
_ The campus is small yet nice and modern (I just love their lab. Not sure if students are allowed to use them)
_ Small class size
_ Not very much activities
_ I took the placement test and got into Math 3A and WR201
_ I am still waiting for their financial aid </p>
<p><em>OCC</em>
_ Takes about 25 mins driving (local)
_ Vey crowded
_ Very big campus and class size
_ A lot of activities
_ I did receive my FAFSA awards which is good for my situation
_ I'm not sure about my placement test results</p>
<p>I'm planning on Honor Program. What are the real differences between normal and honor class based on experiences? (except from academic priority)
One more thing about IGETC. Is it required to transfer to UC? since I don't think I can finish GED + major requirement + IGETC in 2-3 years. </p>
<p>I know I have a lot of questions but please help me. Thank you so much !!!</p>
<p>Pick the CCC you would enjoy being at because in the end, CSU and UCs don’t care at all which of the hundreds of CCCs a student transfers from. They primarily look at your GPA and don’t fuss with which particular CCC you came from.</p>
<p>For CSUs, after taking in-state vs out-of-state into account (and for in-state, if the student is considered a “local transfer” to their particular CSU or not), the ONLY FACTOR is GPA. Nothing else. </p>
<p>For UCs, it is still GPA driven, with some look to the LOR, Essay and ECs. But when it all boils down, it is the GPA. Which CCC you attended has zero bearing on anything.</p>
<p>Difference between normal and honor classes is minimal. They are intended to cover the same material but with more discussion and often an extra project. For example, for an English class, an honors section might have one additional paper or for a Bio class, a few extra labs. The honor classes are to be smaller so the students can just go deeper into discussion and mastery–but NOT to actually cover a wider range of material per se.</p>
<p>Some of the UCs will say not to worry about finishing IGETC and to just get all the science stuff done (plus the obvious GEs like English Composition, math, etc). You need to check with EACH UC to find out their policy for EACH MAJOR. If the UC/Major waives the IGETC, each will have slightly different requirements. This can make it hard to plan when aiming at several different UCs (and even moreso if wanting to also apply to CSUs as well)… you have to just decide what your top priority is and go with that. If you have a strong GPA at CCC, aim for UC requirements first.</p>
<p>Also, many many many students are unable to transfer out of a CCC in just 2 years. You may need to overload to manage it–and even then it might not work if you can’t get into classes you need because of over crowded CCC campuses and all the cut courses. Just be aware of that possibility. I do know students who got through in 2 years, but they took 18 - 20 units per semester, some summer school, and didn’t take any fluff classes or have to repeat anything. However, a downside of 20 units is that not every student can overload and keep a good GPA, so a third year is needed instead for some.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your answer annikasorrensen… I do have my mind on the track now :)</p>