Hi, I would like for someone to double check my plan because it’s very untraditional.
Objective: Transfer into a UC with junior status as an early graduate from high school
I will be a senior in high school starting this upcoming fall but am planning to graduate early and attend a community college for two college semesters (Fall 2019 & Spring 2020). To fulfill my last bundle of high school credits, I will be taking duel enrollment classes at CC that will count towards IGETC, my major preparatory requirements (UCLA Econ Major… I’ve looked at ASSIST.org), and my remaining high school credits. I already have 13 college semester units from ap tests alone so if I take 4 classes each semester for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 I should be able to reach the 34 semester units required by IGETC. Is this possible?
My parents forced me to take a chemistry class at community college the summer after my freshman year of high school and I did very poorly because I didn’t have the drive to succeed in the class at that moment. Will this class show up on my community college transfer transcript (It will most definitely hurt my GPA if it does)? If it does I will probably decide to waive it. Will this “W” hurt my chances at getting into my desired college?
PS: I’ve done my research on UCLA TAP, TAG, and various scholarship opportunities.
@ucbalumnus -
your thoughts?
The 34 semester units for IGETC is not what counts to be eligible to transfer; to transfer into a UC school as a junior you have to have 60 semester units. Will you have that many?
Also I don’t understand what you mean by decide to “waive it” with respect to the chemistry class. You are required to report all college classes taken. If that college gave you a letter grade then that is what the UC schools will use. You can’t ignore it, unless that school has the option at this late date to go back and retroactively withdraw from the class. That would be rare.
@mikemac
Right, that makes sense. I will only have 41 semester units with the plan I stated above.
However, if I choose to take 5 classes per semester and take 3 semesters worth of classes I will be looking at 62 semester units. Does this seem logical?
I got a C in that chemistry class but I was not very motivated then. Will this drastically affect my chances?
I commend you since you have determined what you want to major in and you’ve focused on a select set of colleges. If you have any doubts in these two items, major and colleges, then go for a more traditional approach to college admission.
I am a CA resident and parent of a rising Junior in a CA high school. If my child knew his intended major (with certainty) and college choices (UC and CSU as a first choice) then I’d be recommending to him a path like yours.
The community college transfer opportunity in CA is amazing.
You are focusing on the IGETC humanities classes, but make sure to put emphasis on the major-specific classes. Transfer to UCLA, as a junior, one year after your normal high school graduation date.
A “W” is a withdrawal not a Waive and yes any community college course taken will show up on your transcript and if it is UC transferable, it will also be included in your UC Transferable GPA. I agree with @mikemac, that you will need a minimum 60 semester/90 quarter units to transfer to any UC which includes IGETC credits and along with your major course requirements, so will you have this minimum met by Spring 2020? Some of your AP credits may not be used towards your major requirements so make sure you check these requirements for UCLA.
Here is the UC transfer GPA admit rate by campus and major (2018 data is the most current available): https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major
That makes sense. I’m still trying to sort everything out.
So instead of taking 4 classes per semester for 2 semesters (Fall 2019, Spring 2020), I’m now thinking of taking 5 classes per semester for 3 semesters (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020). This will leave me with 62 semester units (Including AP credits). Will I still be able to apply to UC’s Fall 2019 this way? Or will that extra summer semester force me to apply Fall 2020?
@Gumbymom
Thank you so much. This means a lot. My dad has always taught me to be practical and to research all my options before making big decisions especially regarding college. My college terminology may be off at times but I’m still learning 
@diegodavis
You will need to 60 semester/90 quarter units by Spring 2020 if you plan to matriculate by Fall 2020, so taking some summer courses to meet that minimum will not work.
For UCLA Econ, you are looking at achieving a 3.8+ UC Transferable GPA for a solid chance at transfer, so yes a C will not help you.
Assuming that you’re in California, the most number of units that you can take at a CCC is 11 semester units each semester while you are still in HS. Also, you won’t be considered for applying as a transfer student until after you’ve graduated from HS.
I would say that it’s almost a certainty that you can’t apply for UCLA or any other UC for the 2020-21 school year unless you apply as a HS student. You should aim for applying for the 2021-22 school year.
I teach at a community college. You need to be careful about taking too many units each semester as you need to keep your GPA up, especially if you want to transfer to a school like UCLA into an impacted major. I would suggest you talk to a counselor at your community college. If you can find a nearby community college that has a UCLA TAP certified program, then apply to join it and work to get TAP certified. It is an excellent program and a great way to increase your chances of getting in as a transfer student.