So, I got into UCI since I applied last November. However, I have been considering community college for awhile as well. If I go to community college will it hurt my chances if I reapply to UCI later on down the line? This has been worrying me all day.
No, it definitely shouldn’t. Also, do you know if community colleges have any deadlines for registering? I haven’t gotten in UCI and I’m thinking of going to community college.
UCI participates in the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program which guarantees your admission and major provided you complete the requirements. The requirements are generally 3.4+ overall GPA, 3.0+ major GPA, and a list of required courses for your major that you can find on assist.org. There are about five majors that do not participate in the TAG program, but if you do well, you will likely be admitted through regular admission.
I recommend you first check which courses articulate for your major to UCI from a community college you are considering attending.
If anything, being accepted to UCI already will positively influence future admission if they are considered.
UCI Transfer Success here! Super long post alert lol
TAG is how I got my acceptance earlier than everyone else. I tagged biz econ.
I honestly don’t regret the CC route. I have found my niche and am positive about the direction I am headed. I was not active in HS (did NHS, arts club, dance club, APs/IB english, but none of that leadership overachieving nonsense haha, had avg stats blah blah blah)
You can apply anytime for cc but you but better to apply early asap and do orientation. My cc has a program with hs seniors where if you complete the early program, you get priority reg for 1 year. If you complete the Summer Advantage Program, you get 2 yrs priority reg. I work at outreach so we specialize in catering to hs
Depending on your major, students at cc take around 2-3 yrs to finish ge’s and major prep (if stem then focus on major prep). CC is also good if undecided cuz it allows you to test the waters.
Bae Factors:
-Assist.org
-Counselors (multiple to get diff perspectives)
-Transfer success center (they are ahmaazing): workshops, one on one appts with uni reps, uni tours, help with apps and questions about the transfer process. Keep in touch with them from day 1. They have the info on transfer agreements.
-Go to the damn office hours and even talk to the professors outside of the class/office. Get to know them and let them get to know you on a deeper level.
-SCHOLAR-FREAKING-SHIPS and FINANCIAL AID
–> if you have applied for fafsa, YAYYY!!! You are on your way to freee moneeehhh 
Honestly though, Finan Aid Office, Student Placement Office (Jobs on campus), and Scholarship Offices are keeeeyyy. Look into CC’s that offer scholarships to Freshmen in the Fall. Like. HOP TO IT. We have a Buy-the-Book Scholarship cuz them textbooks be dammmm expensive… Board of Gov’s Fee Waiver is legit. BOG is across all California Comm Colleges though. It waives the unit fees, so you don’t need to pay per unit.
-Career Services --> may host finan aid and job workshops, etc. They help if you are unsure about what career path you want to do and can even help with resumes and finding jobs on/off campus.
-Workshops, Programs, etc.-- Stay aware of the different types of workshops that are offered. This could be bulletins, emails, classroom announcements.
- Campus Involvement - I was really big on this for 1.5 years. (was zero involved first sem but got a 4.0 lol that sem) ASG (student gov), ICC (interclub council). Clubs (make your own club if you want), Honor Societies (I am prez of Phi Theta Kappa), etc. Like legit tho. I was basically everywhere. I was commisioner for ASG-went to the meetings=got to know students and faculty. I was also ICC rep spring 2016. This gets you on the email lists so you stay the first to know what events/opportunities are happening. (went to ASACC conference this way) Conferences are also a great way to know other students and faculty from other CC's. You can find your diff fams at school. I basically know most of the faculty, staff, and students. It's good to be recognized esp for rec letters (SCHOLARSHIPS, private unis, jobs)
-Outside Involvement-- Pursue what you are genuinely passionate about or relates to your major lol. I prefer the first option. Explore, learn, create. Don’t just build up your resume but also build up yourself.
-Internships are hella bae–I regret not pursuing an internship (summer or during school year) This provides invaluable xp particularily in the field you want to study. You can also use this to figure out if you like it or not
-Honors Program - UCI Honors to Honors Progam – if your CC participates in this, then you get automatically into UCI CHP with 3.7 gpa and completion of H2H program. Honors Program also opens up research conferences like HTCC (Cali) where you present research at UCI (I was moderator 1st time and now presenting research this year on 4.1.17 lel) RESEARCH IS STRESSED AT UC LEVEL.
-Job (if you plan on working pt/ft) -I worked at Outreach Office pt. I got hired as a student ambassador (found out through the emails) and then qualified to be a Student Ambassador (fanceh, huh?) I honestly LOVE my job. I get to educate students on the college process through application workshops, finan aid wrkshps, college fairs, etc. I wouldn’t mind working OT. We do tours for elem, middle, hs, and others.
-Student Life and Leadership - Again, they host events, workshops, etc We have Student Leadership Institute that is in conjunction with CSUF (also accepted) where you basically get ceritified as a leader after completing a bunch of workshops. I did this and was on the committee the following sem.
-Programs and Services-
-Extended Opp Programs and Services
-Disabled Students P&S
-CAMP
-Veterans
-more (it’s late lol)
-If your CC has a first-yr center, that is GREAT
If you pursue the CC route, really get to know the college and what they offer. I know this might seem like a lot, but there are so many services that are offered only to benefit YOU, the student!!
Tips:
-Getting involved on campus only benefits you through exploring your likes and dislikes while figuring out who you are. Once you get involved, build up your rep and word spreads quickly and you might land yourself on some recs/offers. Even PR might like you a lot.
-Business cards are hella handy.
-For every hour you’re in class, plan on spending at least 2-3 hrs outside of class for study/review/hw/etc.
-Positivity is key, at least, in my philosophy. No, seriously. Postive energy is infectious. I was an introvert when i first started, but I have found that I can be myself with limited judgement (people don’t want to be mean to me lol)
-Not everyone you meet is going to be your best friend. There are those select people who will stay with you your entire life. Keep them.
-BE THE MOST PROACTIVE EVER!!! I cannot stress this enough. I was not proactive at all my first sem and missed sooo many opportunities…like scholarships…
-10000000% effort and proactiveness lol
-It’s not possible to be everywhere and do everything without crashing. Balance is key. and tea. Tea is soothing.
- You are not me and I am not you. We are all unique and have our strengths.
-Getting a BA is not everyone’s goal. CC’s offer certificates
Welp, I hope this helps a bit. If you have any questions, pm me. I wish you the best in your endeavors (gosh, that is overused so many dammm times but it’s inclusive enough).
=major hugs for you and everyone!!! >w<= (I respectfully apologize if you are not a huggy person…here’s a =high-five= instead :D)
Have a beautiful day/afternoon/evening!
~CC
^^^^^Fabulous post. It should be pinned :)^^^^^
awww shucks >w< thank you @uciparent !!! I was thinking of putting a link for the google doc if anyone is interested along with updates, grammatical corrections, and revelations lol XD It would also look fancier and more readable haha
@jtverdon If you don’t mind me asking a few question.
- What major did you get accepted to?
- Can you list all AP exams you have taken with scores and all AP exams you plan on taking in May?
- Why are you considering CC, is it a finacial decision, or a personal preference?
@uciparent theatre major. I am actually a gap year student which I took the year off for personal reasons. I took three and passed one. AP psych. Personal preference for me. I’ve had some health problems over the past few years.
@darkarchang3l thanks for post. Good read!
@jtverdon awww you’re welcome and thank you
@darkarchang3l would you suggest I talk to a counselor. I am also not technically right out of high school.
@jtverdon I would suggest you talk to multiple counselors! 
There are plenty of people in CC that are not hs students.
The counseling center should have walk-ins/appts.