<p>Well, then here I am. The rush of SAT prep/college apps/college acceptances are over. I am left with a choice that a year ago, would have made me literally laugh thinking about. UCLA offered me the UC Merced/UCLA transfer program (garenteed acceptance to UCLA when I reach 60 credits). With my IB Diploma+massive amounts of AP credits, I can logicaly expect to spend no longer than a year in Merced. My "back up" school is UC Davis which of course has postives; but it is no UCLA. Basicaly, I am torn between accepting Merceds year of hell then transfer to UCLA heaven, or spend all my years in UC Davis purgatory. What do you guys think (current UCLA students and fellow Merced shared experience students advice welcome! :) )</p>
<p>Merced transfer, UCLA is awesome</p>
<p>It is really up to what surroundings you want.</p>
<p>Swallow your pride for a year and do the shared program. In a year it won't even matter that you were at merced. Whereas if you pick Davis you will be there for all your undergrad.</p>
<p>I can't offer any knowledge on the experience of the program though.</p>
<p>
[quote]
With my IB Diploma+massive amounts of AP credits, I can logicaly expect to spend no longer than a year in Merced.
[/quote]
Are you eligible to leave Merced just when you have a certain number of transferable units, or when 2 calendar years have passed? I haven't seen the offer letter, but be sure you are going to be able to get out in 1 year if that's what you expect :)</p>
<p>But if I was in your shoes and it really was only 1 year, I'd jump at it.</p>
<p>Dietbeer: Before you make a decision that is dependent on you being at Merced for only a year, call UCLA Admissions and ask how that works (with IB credit...) I got my IB diploma last year so I started started with 30 units but that doesn't mean I will be able to complete undergrad in 3 years (like I thought I would be able to this time last year.)<br>
It's probably best to know all the answers before making your final decision. Another thing, the % rate of people that actually get the full IB diploma is low in comparison to the number that actually take the tests, and since you won't find out until July and you have to SIR somewhere by May 1, it's another risk if you are banking on getting the full 30 points.
Still, if I were in your position I would probably strongly consider the Merced/UCLA transfer program... I wouldn't want to spend 4 years at Davis.</p>
<p>Ah yes, I have indeed spoke with an admission officer at both UCLA and UCM, and they have confirmed that it is possible to transfer in one year, but I must have credit for at least three classes at merced, and meet core requirements for a transfer, I have spoken with the UC Merced admission officer and he said even with my current scores on AP/IB exams I have 20 sem. credits. IB Diploma adds 30 more, maybe 15-20 will be of use. So, in reality I wont have to worry about Merced for more than a year theres always CC to clean up some additional credits, but I highly doubt it will come to that...so any more thoughts UCLA worth this?</p>
<p>You're gonna have to do the UCLA program, trust me...you'll thank me later.</p>
<p>Merced won't be hell, it will be okay for one year, then you get UCLA as the reward. Good deal.</p>
<p>Just go to a CC (with a TAP program, hopefully) near your house, so you can stay at your own home and do well, and then apply for transfer after a year. Atleast, that's what I would do, because I wouldn't want to spend a year at Merced, I really like my home though, so you may feel differently. Either way, my ultimate destination would be UCLA, since it's such a great school. Good luck :)</p>
<p>but if you go to cc then there is a chance of not getting into UCLA again, but in merced you are guaranteed to come to UCLA</p>
<p>Someone of his caliber would have to really screw up at CC to not get into UCLA.</p>
<p>Here's my take on your situation. You mentioned 'UCLA heaven' and 'UC Davis purgatory.' If you read Dante, which I presume you did, you know that Dante was the only one with a ticket out of Inferno and Purgatorio. </p>
<p>Instead of getting 'stuck' in Purgatorio, do what Dante did. He went through Inferno and Purgatorio to reach UCLA.</p>
<p>You dig?</p>
<p>dietbeer: I would do the Merced to UCLA transfer... especially since it will only be a year.</p>
<p>I'd go to Merced and then transfer. Also, try not to think of it as a year of hell, think of yourself as a visiting student. Every college has its pluses and minuses, and if you go into Merced thinking it'll be a giant stinkhole the year will be significantly less pleasant.</p>
<p>Merced will no be a "giant stinkhole" as long as you do what cambridgeguy suggests: go in with a positive outlook.</p>
<p>At the very worst, you'll have a lot of really nice weekends in Yosemite. I'm sort of jealous! :)</p>
<p>haha "sort of jealous" x_x, but yeah I am starting to think the Merced path to UCLA isnt too bad</p>