I am a student who graduated in the middle of my sophomore year by taking the California High School Proficiency Exam. I felt that the high school education system was lacking, especially with the new Common Core curriculum, and so decided to graduate early to acquire a better education. What are my chances of getting into CU Boulder?
GPA 4.0 UW 4.5 Weighted in High school. Got A’s in Chemistry and Physics courses. Expected to achieve a 4.0 at my community college.
ACT: Yet to take in April (They wouldn’t waive my SAT/ACT requirement despite my unique situation)
Major : Aerospace Engineering
Extra curriculars: Many computer and modified model rocket projects to back my aerospace interest and background.
I am essentially trying to play off my community college courses as “missed” high school work, rather than as a full fledged transfer student, essentially taking general eds and math classes at CC to prepare for first year engineering calculus courses. I am an out of state student expected to pay the tuition in full, which may increase my chances and desire in the eyes of the admission officers.
I am in agonizing pain just waiting for this damn ACT test to come along so the committee can review my application. CU Boulder is my number one choice, and the only college I applied to. (Well it kinda would have to be my number one choice).
What are my chances? I know my GPA and ECs are strong, along with a good personal essay detailing my desire in orbital mechanics and such, but it sounds like a hit or miss given my unique situation with taking the CHSPE and graduating early.
I don’t understand if you are applying as a freshman or a transfer student, but I think either way, your math grades and scores matter a lot.
Some community colleges are better than others in CA. One way to understand yours is to see where you can transfer in state, What math have you taken, what grades in math and what test scores in math? Math is key for Aerospace engineering at any university. Have you looked carefully at UCLA’s Mechanical and Aerospace program, which would cost you less and may have a path from your community college? http://www.mae.ucla.edu
I am required to apply as a transfer student, given that I am a full time community college student and not a dual enrolled high school student with a few classes completed. However, I am playing off my courses taken as missed high school work, given my situation of graduating high school early and essentially missing 3 years of high school coursework. Once I am to transfer, I would be taking all the same classes as would a first year engineering student.
I have proven a strong background in math, both in high school and now currently in community college, but then again it’s not like I have calc 3 and differential equations under my belt.
The one reason I decided not to transfer in state is the minimum 60 unit requirement across all UCs and CSUs here in California. As a result of the sheer volume of students who apply, all public schools in CA have a required 60 units before you can even be considered, basically a “filter” for serious students.
This is the part where my surrounding area screwed me over. In order to fulfill that 60 unit requirement (which ends up actually being 80 or so), I would have to take 5-6 semesters (instead of the standard 2 year 4 semester route) of intense math and coursework. I would also have to travel between 5 different community colleges, as there are REQUIRED classes before you can be considered for a STEM Major, most of which are not offered at my current community college. If I do get accepted at this point, I would still be behind a semester or two as most colleges have a very unique set of classes Aerospace majors would have to take in their normal freshman and sophomore years which would have to be fulfilled before moving on to upper division course work.
I am trying to start on my college education as soon as possible without barriers and obstacles.