Okay so I am currently attending Cal Poly Pomona and I’m considering withdrawing to go to a CC. I’m behind in my math courses so I’ll prob have to stay an extra year and I’ve really been considering grad school so I was thinking it would be better financially in the long run to do community than going to a UC. I’m majoring in Zoology cause I would like to do behavioral research and later when I’m financially stable enough open my own sanctuary. I was wondering if this is a good idea and if so would I still be eligible for the TAG program? And another question is the two UC’s I’m considering are Davis and Santa Barbara, Davis cause it has a strong zoology program and Santa Barbara cause I’d be able to minor in marine bio and I’m particularly interested in studying orcas. But I’m not entirely sure which would be a wise choice.
Honestly, any input is very much appreciated, I just finished my first year of college and I need to make a decision before the next school year starts. Thank you all for your time.
Nobody can tell you whether its “worth it”. You have to think about what the experience, time, cost, etc. would be like on the alternatives and decide.
People have many ideas in mind when they say “do research” and I don’t know what yours are. Is it just work for a place doing research as a relatively low-level employee? Is it run research programs? Before you commit yourself further you need to ask yourself about your goals and see how feasible they are. The standard for those actually running research programs in the sciences is a PhD, and there’s a glut of them (as a few minutes online will show you) so even then a job is by no means assured. With just a BS/BA your opportunities are far more limited.
TAG requires 30 units from a Cal CC before you apply so, you’d need to spend an additional year at a CC to make. Not to mention, you’ll need to get a really strong GPA to qualify.
If you want to go to grad school, you need a high GPA, strong test scores and some relevant experience. They won’t care if you got your BS from CP Pomona or UC Davis. Besides, you are going to find similar math requirements at the UC so, there’s really no advantage to making the switch. .
Perhaps a summer class or two in Math at CPP or a CC ill get you back on pace. If not, an extra semester at CPP is probably the best course for you to take - CPP has such a strong STEM reputation,
Yet again, one year transfers TAG and they do not have 30 CCC units when they TAG. I’m emailing the UC to verify and then you stubborn hold-outs can apologize to the community for blindly perpetuating what isn’t true. I’m super-tired of ppl just throwing cr*p out without researching first.
You do not need the 30 semester units from a CCC before TAGing. In fact, the exact comment by the female admissions officer when I asked if non-CCC units count in the 30 needed, was - drum roll - “Of course they count.”
She went on to say they realize ppl may have started elsewhere and they’re fine with it. They want everyone to have an opportunity.
So apologies from @happy2help and @ncalrent for persisting over and over in spreading false info without once ever calling a UC to ask, even with linked evidence to the contrary. I have attached the TAG matrix, which I’ve cited before. In the matrix are phone numbers for all 6 TAG UCs.
Please call them before desseminating wrong info over and over and over. It really isn’t cool. Thx.
@ohm888 looks like you are correct - @hsdfu1998 As long as you meet all the other criteria, TAG may indeed be an option. I apologize for the misdirection.
I double check virtually everything i post here and have spent my share of time with UC and CSU admissions folks. The rules do change sometimes and I am not perfect. In fact, i consulted the very document you linked before hitting submit. I noted, for the first time, that Davis is now stating a preference for full time applicants.
It says,“Who can file a TAG?
Only students transferring directly from a California community college (CCC) are considered for a TAG, including international students (those with a visa). A CCC transfer student is one who has completed at least 30 semester (45 quarter) UC-transferable units at one or more California community colleges, and the last college the student attended in a regular session (fall/spring or fall/winter/spring) before admission to a UC campus is a California community college.”
Which looks to be the requirement to file the TAG and is pretty clear about the 30 units being from a CCC.
CCC enrollment:
Full-time enrollment at a CCC from spring term 2017 through spring term 2018 is expected, though part-time
enrollment is permissible for good cause. Students enrolled part time at a CCC should provide a brief
explanation about reasons for part-time attendance in the section of the UC TAG Application titled “Additional
comments regarding your TAG application” that becomes available during step 1 of the TAG submission
process. An example of “good cause” would be a student’s need to attend school part time because he/she is
employed.
A student must have been enrolled at a CCC spring term 2017.
A student must be enrolled fall term 2017 at the current/primary CCC indicated on the UC TAG
Application.
A student must be enrolled at a CCC winter or spring term 2018
B. Unit requirements
Students must have completed at least 30 semester (45 quarter) transferable units, including units for any
AP and IB credit, by the end of summer 2017. Students who have completed fewer than 30 semester (45
quarter) units do not qualify for a TAG. These students should apply for admission through the regular UC
application process.
If coursework duplicates AP or IB credit it is possible that students may not receive unit credit for
duplicate coursework. The AP chart and IB chart in the UC Davis General Catalog provides details about
earning International Baccalaureate and earning Advanced Placement credit.
Students must complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) transferable units by the end of spring 2018—
regardless of UC eligibility at the time of high school graduation—and meet the TAG enrollment
provisions and limitations in Section I.
Students must meet the definition of a CCC student by completing a minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter)
transferable units at a CCC by the end of spring 2018, not including units for any AP or IB credit.
I have looked over the years and have never seen that much specificity in a UC document. suppose there are 2 important takeaways -
1 - when it is your future at stake double check everything with the source. things change and people are sometimes wrong in their assertions. (In this case me)
2. TAG is a nuanced program, especially if your path isn’t the standard one - full time and through a single CCC. Complicating matters, it changes a bet year to year so, something that worked a few years ago may not longer be viable. Of course, the reverse is also true. Do you own homework before concluding (either way) if it is an option for you.
Again apologies to anyone negatively impacted by my misinterpretation.