<p>Hey everyone. I don't know if this is the right section for this, so mods please move accordingly. Thank you.</p>
<p>I'll start off by introducing myself. I'm 20, I live in Los Angeles, and am currently working on getting my GED. I dropped out of high school after 9th grade and never really collected many credits while I was enrolled anyway. It's now almost 5 years later and I'm starting to get back up on my feet academically. I'm working on a GED test booklet and am hoping to complete the book and take the test by summertime, so I can enroll in a college during fall semester.</p>
<p>I have many questions, since I have been out of the loop for so long. I guess I'll start with the biggest one which is, what are my chances of eventually making it to a 4 year college? I have an idea of what I want to major in but nothing strikes me as a definite choice as of yet. I have been looking at UC Santa Barbara since my cousin graduated from there and she says it's a great school. I think this is still pretty far out of reach though, so my next question is, what steps would I have to take after getting my GED in order to achieve this? I'm guessing I need to enroll at a community college, and take a few general classes first? Or would I simply have to take an SAT test and given that I score well, I may be able to apply at UCSB (or whatever college I finally choose)?</p>
<p>Like I said I am kind of clueless when it comes to this so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>You will need to do 2 years at a community college. You need to complete all of the IGETC requirements during your first three semesters. If you get a certain GPA, you can sign a TAG agreement with a UC (all UCs except Berkeley and LA offer this). TAG guarantees you admission to the UC that you sign it with. There is no need to take the SAT. </p>
<p>Do you know what major you would like? It is important to start the prereq classes for your major, and knowing what these are will help you plan your course schedule. </p>
<p>Finally, CC enrollment begins around now, so contact your local CC and ask your questions there. You may not be able to sign up for fall semester since you don’t yet have your GED.</p>
<p>Check out assist.org to help you with course planning.</p>
<p>Two years, that is kind of overwhelming to think about since I’ve been told much less, but anyways.</p>
<p>Here it says I need a total of 34 units, or 11 courses: [University</a> of California - Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/transfer/requirements/additional-requirements/igetc/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/transfer/requirements/additional-requirements/igetc/index.html)</p>
<p>If I were to take 4 courses per semester, wouldn’t I be able to finish within 3 semesters? Unless I am just repeating what you said… then disregard this.</p>
<p>It also says on UCSB’s admissions page that I need a total of 60 semester credits, which I am confused about. Would I need IGETC + 26 more credits? I am considering computer engineering as a major. Are the IGETC courses based off each major or is there a general set of classes I have to take?</p>
<p>I suppose I should just contact the CC and probably UCSB directly for my answers, just figured I’d get an idea. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Some, but not all, UCs take lower division transfers. You could check with individual schools to see. I know Berkeley doesn’t. SB does not either: <a href=“http://www.admissions.ucsb.edu/faq.asp?subsection=8”>http://www.admissions.ucsb.edu/faq.asp?subsection=8</a> At UCs that do accept lower division transfers, they are put into a different pool than junior transfers and have a much lower acceptance rate. Also, UC tuition is much more expensive than CC, if that is something you need to worry about. There is no reason to go into more debt over a UC when you can get the same credits for cheaper. </p>
<p>IGETC is equivalent to Gen Eds. It is very rare to be accepted without completing them. Yes, you will need to complete IGETC and some extra units to get 60 for a junior transfer (or 30 for a sophomore transfer). </p>
<p><a href=“Transfer Preparation | College of Engineering - UC Santa Barbara”>Transfer Preparation | College of Engineering - UC Santa Barbara;
<p>Here are the prereqs for a computer engineering major at UCSB:
One year calculus for science majors
Differential equations
Linear algebra
Three semesters calculus-based physics
One semester general chemistry and lab
Intro computer programming in C/C++
Second course in C/C++ with data structures
Circuits and devices
Assembly language/computer architecture/digital logic</p>
<p>Because you haven’t taken much math, I assume, it may take you longer than 2 years to complete the requirements because you will have to get through some very high level math. Try not to get discouraged, I’m sure you can do it! </p>
<p>If your CC does not offer all of these courses, try to get them at another CC nearby. If you can’t get them, it’ll be fine, as long as you get most of them and all of the ones offered at your local CC.</p>
<p>Okay, that makes sense. I would most likely transfer as a junior in that case.</p>
<p>Lastly, how does TAG differ from IGETC? I would still need to complete 60 units before transferring, correct?</p>
<p>And I know it’s far off from my initial choice, but what I would really like to major in is Psychology/Sociology. I guess my family really wants me to study engineering but that isn’t very important to me. I’m not too great with numbers.</p>
<p>IGETC is a set of classes that you need to complete before you transfer. TAG (transfer admission guarantee) is an agreement sign that guarantees you admission to a UC. You can only sign a TAG with one UC. For UCSB, you need a 3.2 GPA. You apply for a TAG in the fall of your second year of CC, after you have completed 30 units. Your TAG depends on the completion of 60 units with a GPA of 3.2 to maintain your acceptance. Here is more information: <a href=“http://www.admissions.ucsb.edu/pdf/UCSB%20Fall%202012-13%20TAG.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.ucsb.edu/pdf/UCSB%20Fall%202012-13%20TAG.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you aren’t good with numbers, I wouldn’t suggest an engineering major. That is a recipe for disaster. If you are passionate about psych/sociology, do a LOT of research about career opportunities. Psych majors are the most unemployed of all college graduates.</p>
<p>Appreciate the info, really cleared things up for me.</p>