<p>So I got accepted into UCSD, but really wanted to go to LA. However, my parents are cool with me going to CC and then trying to transfer to LA. The thing I have to decide now is if I should just go straight to SD or if I should try CC then transfer. I know CC is a lot cheaper which would greatly help my parents out financially, considering that are eventually going to also put my bro and sis to college in a couple of years. And if I were to go to a CC, I would for sure take the TAP program and enroll in Honors classes. I might also try to find a job and what not to help pay for school.
If I go to SD, on the other hand, then I would probably have to stay there for the four years, but at least I would get that coveted college "experience." I'm also applying as an engineer, which SD is also well-known for. However, I don't really like the campus. When I visited it, I just didn't get that "feeling" I got with LA. It had this relaxed, but boring atmosphere around it. I would also have to stay with my grandparents since they live like 10 minutes away from it, and even though I love them dearly, I kind of don't want to spend my first two years of college with my grandparents.
The reason I'm kind of worrying over this is because I am a really good student (top 10 of my class, straight A's, multiple AP classes, etc.), so going to a CC might be a little too easy and laid-back (and some might say embarrassing). I also don't want to spend any extra time there if classes get too full and I have to wait. Additionally, going there doesn't ensure I gain admission into LA; it just says I get priority consideration (and since I'm applying as an engineer, that'll make it even harder...)
As of right now, I'm leaning over CC. I know that if I stay focused, dedicated and strong, there will be a high chance I'll get in. I could also save my parents a lot of $$$ and help them at home. But I'm still keeping an open mind and want to see what others think. Any feedback would be great!</p>
<p>I say if you know you’re set on wanting to get a degree from UCLA, then go to CC, and here’s why:</p>
<p>
Yes, you will be doing your parents a huge favor if they plan to contribute to your college expenses. Hundreds of thousands of students choose the CC route every year for a variety of reasons - including financial, which brings me to my next point . . .</p>
<p>
It is often cited that the initial “experience” is overrated. Many transfers acknowledge that they do not feel left out of that social scene once they transfer and still get a great deal of the traditional experience in terms of social context, especially if they stay in campus dorms and get involved with student groups and clubs.</p>
<p>
While it can be said that any school is what you make of it (by your personal efforts), most CCs are like this too. But the difference with the UCSD atmosphere you describe and a comparable one at CC is that for one you’re paying 2-3X the $ to experience that atmosphere. IMO, if you know you won’t be ahppy at UCSD, and happiness is an important factor for you, then do not attend. Some people say that any student eventually grows accustomed to attending a school they didn’t originally find as a fit, but it usually take a while - like the first couple years which is the time you would spend at the CC anyway.</p>
<p>
If you mean TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee), then UCLA does not participate in that program, but many other UCs do and you can use that as a back-up against UCLA. Usually, Honros program students gain priority registration for classes which helps them gain access to the popular classes that fill up quickly, and from the looks of your proclaimed academic history, I don’t think you’d have trouble keeping up with Honors. If you think CC will be too easy for you, and you might be suprised at the intellectual challenges you find there, then the better as you will maintain a high GPA which will help your transfer options. IMO, CC is not embarrassing, but for those who think it is, I propose: a CC student save thousands of $ and in the end their degree says something like, perhaps, UCLA while a student that chose on their current options (not CC, but a lower tired UC or CSU) won’t have that brand on their degree and may have potentially spent twice as much. I personally don’t care for prestiege, but those who do can view it that way.</p>
<p>Trying to major in an engineering facet WILL make it harder to transfer only in the sense that there are more classes to take for Major Pre-requisites. It will be advised that you do not follow gen-eds, or IGETC requirements because if you tried to complete both as a CC student before you transfer, then you will end up staying 3 or possibly 4+ years, depending on class availability at your specific CC. UCs know this, so they explicitly advise that certain majors like Engineering just work on the Major pre-requisites which can be found per school at [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“Welcome to ASSIST”>Welcome to ASSIST)</p>
<p>Stay motivated, determined and competitive, and you should have a great shot at getting into UCLA. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your very informative reply! You brought up some really good points.
By the way, the TAP program from LA stands for the Transfer Alliance Program, which just ensures that I get priority consideration when applying to LA. The program also says I get an increased chance in admission. However, I was also wondering, can I TAG to other UCs even though I want to attend LA? I thought TAG was a contract, so you HAVE to attend the UC you signed with. But I hope that I’m wrong, just in case if I don’t get in I can have a good fallback.
And what do you mean about me not having to take the IEGTC requirements? So I don’t have to take the required courses?</p>
<p>Oh, TAP. Very well then. But, yes, you can apply via TAG to another UC other than LA and still choose to attend LA. It’s the Transfer Admission Guarantee, not the Transfer Attend Guarantee. CC students typically apply to a handful of UCs and TAG to one - you can only TAG to one UC per year.</p>
<p>IGETC is the series of courses that UCs suggest (absolutely not required) you to take to fill general education requirements. These are the courses that include basic English and Math, some arts and humanities classes, sciences like basic Chemistry and Biology, and a couple classes of Foreign Language. Typically following IGETC will bank the student almost all of the required 60 semester (90 quarter) units to transfer. This is the basic req to transfer so that the incoming student can meet the Junior status reqs once attending the UC.</p>
<p>However, for some majors, like Engineering, the UCs advise students NOT to follow the IGETC. This is because the Major requirements outpace the general ed requirements in terms of credit amount. Some majors are more demanding on the amount of classes that you need to take. So if a student tried to do IGETC AND Major pre-reqs in certain majors, it would put them well above the credit req and perpetuate their stay at a CC. IGETC is only recommended for those who’s major pre-reqs do not get them close the the credit requirement, like if the major pre-reqs for transfer were only a class or two, like Political Science often is. Those two classes will only net the student 5-10 qtr credits. So, to fill the rest (80 more), the UCs have come up with a way for those students to fulfill all their basic ed reqs: IGETC. Your CC should have tons of info on this. If not, post here, or PM me and I will point you in some more directions.</p>
<p>FYI, AP credits can be used towards the IGETC as well.</p>
<p>Hi I am a CC student at LA Harbor college and I can vouch for the previous poster. Do not make IGETC your priority. Some counselors will recommend you do so too.
As long as you mention you are an engineering student they will understand.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a little bit of the college experience ( though it won’t be as great as a UC), I suggest you check out LACC, SMC, or Pasadena CC. I think Glendale CC has some student involvement as well but I don’t know much about the school.
The LA CCs are currently going through some building improvements and I feel so jealous of incoming freshmen because they will have a 21st century mini-University feeling, but I got to see Pierce and it looks great but seems pretty dead after 2pm. The CC you go to DOES matter. The suggestions I have given are those that offer many courses with many professors. If you go to LA Harbor, you have the option of 1 professor for calculus based physics and 1 professor for ordinary differential equations which is only offered once a year, same with physics.</p>
<p>You definitely want to stay near LA. Also, remember to make calculus and physics your highest priority in class schedule. You also want to petition to take calculus off the bat. I know many students who got held back by the placement exam.</p>
<p>That’s if you think of going the CC route. Of course you must do what you is right though. I think you can also transfer out of SD into LA, but that is really rare. Haven’t heard many ppl do it.</p>
<p>Oh and I will complete the IGETC but mostly because I didn’t have a major my first year. I will be staying another year to make a grand total of 3. But if I had chosen a major early on, I could have easily done all pre-reqs and even the IGETC in 2 years.</p>
<p>Summer and winter classes can benefit you greatly. Take advantage of them if the opportunity arises.</p>
<p>@turtlerock: Ok. So if I TAG UCSD and meet the requirements, will I FOR SURE gain admission to there again? I was just wondering, just in case my plan doesn’t fall through.
And what are the chances of me getting into LA if I major in computer engineering. I heard that was an impacted major, so it would be harder for me to get accepted.
@DeadSupra: I live in San Jose, so I can’t go to CCs in LA 
Do you know any CC near my area that will help give me a better chance of getting in? I’m thinking about De Anza, Foothill and West Valley. The first one has a high transfer rate into UCs, but the last two have the transfer program for LA.</p>
<p>Yes, that’s what the G in TAG represents - Guarantee. Of course you will need to meet all of the contract requirements of the TAG up until your last day in CC (these are usually like GPA reqs and coursework completion, and you may not be guaranteed your selected major). Once you submit the TAG (you have to meet certain reqs just to even do that), then it’s kind of a continuing process keeping the UC up to speed on your academic progress until the year is finished out. It helps the UC ensure you don’t blow off any final obligations.</p>
<p>BE AWARE: TAGs, especially at UCSD, are becoming increasingly competitive still. Some requirements have recently been raised and may continue to be more stringent. For example, the GPA req for UCSD is 3.5.</p>
<p>IMO, if you got accepted to UCSD from HS, then as long as you really strive to perform the best in your studies, then you should have a shot at UCLA as a transfer. Of course there’s no telling what the next 2 years (or less, or more) can hold in terms of the competition.</p>
<p>I think De Anza would be a great school to pursue a UC. I just took my placement tests there today :p</p>
<p>Try to join the honors or a sport to gain priority registration and save yourself some headaches.</p>
<p>@Lilaznandyx - You would also be very mistaken assuming a CC would hands down be easier than a university. At my CC, our physics program is well known to be harder than every UC except for LA/Berk. Sure GE’s are easy, but that’s true anywhere. If you’re into math/science then CC classes can be a challenge and you will find people much smarter than you and people who easily compete. Consider three groups of students.
The first is students like me, going to CC for primarily financial purposes. The second is foreign students who need English training and the ilk but have already taken many of the advanced physical science courses in their home country. Lastly, you have people who already have university degrees and are coming back to refresh or gain more knowledge. We had a Harvard grad in a chem class last semester.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t know about CC’s near San Jose, sorry.
But definitely apply now and get a registration date. That’s if you are going the CC route.</p>
<p>CCs are getting very packed, even for calculus and physics classes. Review the professors on ratemyprofessor but also note that many students may exaggerate a professor’s difficulty. The more professors and classes a CC offers, the easier it will be on you and scheduling. That’s just the rule of thumb I suggest you use.</p>
<p>I advised to go near an CC in LA because I know many universities give priority to nearby students. I don’t know if the same applies to UCLA though.</p>
<p>And while the classes at CCs are smaller, some CCs are still ill-equipped. Physics and calculus classes at a UC may use computer programs or videos to show how cross product or 3D object rotation for example. My CC still uses the old fashion “and this line is actually pointing out of the blackboard.”
On top of that, if there is only 1 professor teaching calculus-based electromagnetism, he can pretty much run things the way he wants.</p>
<p>How hard is it to get into a CC Honors Program? I have about a 4.5 GPA and was wondering if it would be easy for me to get in.
Btw. Do you guys have any opinions about UC Davis or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo? Because I also got in there too and I heard their engineering programs are really good.</p>
<p>Cal Poly has an amazing engineering program (btw I have a friend who chose it over UCLA). Employers like to hire them because their curriculum is “hands on,” meaning that they are ready to go right from graduation. It’s also nice that it’s technically a CSU so it’s cheaper 
Definitely go to the SLO forum and check it out. </p>
<p>The CC route sounds like a good one too. You sound motivated so I’m sure you’d do well in CC and have great options transferring. I don’t know about the honors program but I’d be surprised if someone with a 4.5 couldn’t get in…</p>
<p>^Agreed on both points above.</p>
<p>SLO is great for Engineering.</p>
<p>Honors program requirements may differ from CC to CC, but generally as long as you have a high GPA you can apply to it and get in. The program has the student take courses that are supposed to be more challenging (“Honors”), but I’ve heard they aren’t really different from regular types of classes. Students try to get n the program all the time just for the registration benefit. Your GPA seems like there should be no trouble admitting you to the program.</p>
<p>That’s good to know. Have any of you guys visited SLO? I kind of want to know if it has a nice campus or has an atmosphere comparable to UCLA. I’m still leaning a little towards CC, but I just want to keep my options open…</p>
<p>I’ve visited SLO. The atmosphere is different from UCLA but collegey in its own way. It’s not too far from San jose is there any way you could visit?</p>
<p>Just to add on to what turtlerock said, at LAHC we have an honors program that requires the student to take at least 6 courses that are all general Ed courses, several hours of community service, and attend an honors workshop. Some 4-years give special perks to honors to honors transfer. Some don’t. For example, UCLA gives priority acceptance under their letters and science but since you are engineerig, the school just consideration into your application. Onthe other hand, San Jose State gives a $500 book voucher, a spot as semi-finalist in SVE scholarship which is $22,000 and some other perks.</p>
<p>I know this because I work at the front desk of counseling at CC. Message me if you have more questions about CCs. Remember to look up at assist.org as well. I think we forget to mention that a lot of times.</p>
<p>SLO is great in engineering. A BS degree in engineering there basically means you are ready to work. If you want to look into research or more than just getting an engineering job, look into UCs.
SLO is different from UCLA entirely however. The environment is way more natural with mountains, hiking paths, hills, beach, etc.</p>
<p>I want to visit SLO, but it’s about three hours away from San Jose, and I don’t think my parents will have enough time. I’ll try my best though I heard Cal Poly has a really nice recreational center and a beautiful landscape, but the thing is I’m more of a city kid. I like that urban, cosmopolitan, crowded LA/New York-esque atmosphere.</p>
<p>The reason I’m so worried and antsy about this CC thing is because I don’t want to spend another two years working just so I can get rejected again. I mean, I’ve been accepted to some amazing colleges, so is it worth it to throw it all away for my dream school? I don’t want to turn down all these colleges and then find out LA doesn’t want me again. What if the colleges which have accepted me now won’t want me two years from now, along with LA? I don’t mean to sound all negative. I’m just scared my plan won’t fall through…</p>
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<p>These are all appropriate worries. No one can tell the future, and like the weather, California colleges seem to be changing rapidly. No telling where their admissions outlooks will sit a few years from now. On the other hand, it may be argued in the most cliched but sincere manner that you’ll never know unless you try. This is also where we insert the cliche of “It’s a choice only you can make.”</p>
<p>Really, IMO, if you continue to reflect well within your studies like you have thus far in life, then, as I’ve stated before, I imagine the UCLA admissions officers will give you a good hard look.</p>
<p>The best advice I think I can give you is to always strive to do your best, but prepare that your UCLA attempts may be repeated. There are things you can do to curb another rejection like a TAG for another UC, or applying to prestigious private CA colleges like USC.</p>
<p>Again, it’s something you should think hard about and taking the time to write out and compare the pros and cons and risks of each route can help in making your decision.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>I know…But it’s such a hard decision to make. Right now, I’m leaning towards CC, because I don’t really see myself going to any of those schools (well at least for now…). But I would hate to regret that decision in the future if my goals aren’t achieved. I mean, how many of you guys who went to community college are actually happy that you did? And did you manage to get into your dream school by taking this route?</p>
<p>Anybody there please…</p>