<p>I've heard it is very similar to HS. that's disappointing as I've wanted to experience something new...</p>
<p>What time do classes start? Or do you have the option to pick different times for classes? I'm not an early morning person...</p>
<p>What time can classes go up to? </p>
<p>How is the social life? Do you just go to class and then go home? Or is there actually stuff to do? That's what I'm kinda worried about. I'm not a crazy party guy but I do like to occasionally and unfortunately none of my close friends are going to CCC (I might not sure yet). Going to suck being alone my first year.</p>
<p>Also one other question.</p>
<p>My local CC offers some honors program. The counselor said it doesn't really help you out too much in the transfer process. You can get a 3.0 GPA instead of a 3.5 GPA (since the classes are harder). I don't know much about it. Anyone fill me in on whether it's worth it to do the honors program></p>
<p>thx</p>
<p>Sadly, CC is very similar to high school in a lot of respects. Nobody -- ok, very few -- people live on campus, which can create a lack of community, and most people tend to drive home as soon as classes are done. CC is basically high school with hats and cigarettes. Oh, and lots and lots of cell phones.</p>
<p>You do get to pick your classes and teachers. Utilize sites like ratemyprofessor.com and you will go far, my son. Seriously, this site is a lifesaver! At my school, classes went all the way up to 10pm. (7pm-10pm classes are hard!)</p>
<p>Like I said, the social life is practically nonexistant -- unless you get involved! This means signing up for various clubs, newspaper, student government, sports, etc. Once again, a lot like high school. </p>
<p>As a sidenote, I kind of regret not making the most out of my CC experience, so I would recommend you get involved and join some clubs. You will make a lot of friends, as you are pretty much forced into social situations which you wouldn't be otherwise. Besides, it gives you some extra curriculars to put on your transfer applications.</p>
<p>As for honors programs, I would say it's a good idea, but only depending on your major. You want a high GPA, but challenging coursework can also add an extra edge to your application. Definitely visit another counselor to get a second opinion. Maybe someone else knows more about this? Also, be sure to find out about TAG/TAP programs available at your CC.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>um..i dont think its like HS. i think its a bit more liberating than HS. In HS, the counselors practically pick your classes; this time around, you pick your own schedule. Also, community colleges tend to have older students (30-60 year olds), which makes the experience unique (depending on your class). In political science class a year and a half ago, i had a 60 year old lady in my class. In my econ class, i have a 40 year old mother. So i mean, its not very much like HS. If i had to try to be more specific, i would just say its an independent gathering of students all in there for different reasons; some are part-timers (which tends to be the older crowd), some are full time students (which are usually the young ones). There is no "in crowd" or popular kids, its just like whatever. You go to class, you get your work done, and then you leave. cc = strictly business, and i think many people will agree with me.</p>
<p>I wish so much that I could re-do my community college experience. I entered it not knowing anything and kind of lost with no direction. </p>
<p>My advice to you is to stay focused! Visit a counselor so you know what classes you need to take before transferring. Definitely check ratemyprofessor.com before you sign up for a class. I took a statistics class and did not review the professor before signing up (I didn't know about the site then). The full class of about 45 students dropped down to 8, and I found out about ratemyprofessor and saw he had the absolute worst reviews ever. I ended up getting an F in that class.</p>
<p>I would suggest not taking night classes. Those are sooo hard to stay focused in because you only meet once a week and it is for a ridiculously long lecture (at least 3 hours, usually). Please go to all your classes and keep your eye on the prize! The prize being transferring. I really lost track when it came to this and ended up spending 4 years in community college and 1 year at SF State before (finally) transferring to UCSB (this fall!). I would recommend applying to UCs during the fall of your second year, given you have taken or are in the process of taking the required courses for transfer. I wish I had done this. I would've taken a 6-year college experience and made it a 4-year experience (which is what it should've been - I wasted a lot of time taking b.s. classes).</p>
<p>If you know what you want to major in, you are definitely in a better position. Work with your counselor and/or use assist.org to see what pre-reqs you need to take for that major in relation to your CC and the UC you want to transfer to. </p>
<p>Also, it is so important to get involved in an organization or start an organization. Leadership positions look very good on college applications. Community service and some work experience are also attractive.</p>
<p>Everything can vary drastically from college to college. We can't tell you what it will be like for you specifically.</p>
<p>As for schedules, classes can start at almost any time. At my CC classes can start as early as 7:45 and end as late as 22:00. The length of the class can also vary, anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. With some subjects you get a choice for classes, for example, taking english 101 at my college there will be at least 20 different classes to choose from. But when it comes to other classes they won't always offer every class every semester, and often when they do offer a class there is only one so that you have no choice as to the time. What you need to do is visit the website of the CC and look at the schedule. Spend a long time looking at all the classes that are offered and look at how the times are.</p>
<p>As for social life at my CC, there really isn't any. It really is just an extension of high school in a way. Most people don't bother being social with anyone who they weren't friends with in high school. When a class has a break everybody immediately whips out their cell phones to talk to friends. Most people are still dating the same boy/girl they dated in high school, and a lot of them are engaged or married already.</p>
<p>There aren't really any clubs at my CC, but if there are at yours it would be good to try them out.</p>
<p>Honors works well for some majors. My CC is very limited in the kind of honors classes it offers, so that the program is really only geared towards liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>Donjuan - True, CC can be more "liberating" than high school in that regard. I've had an 81 year old man in one of my scriptwriting classes. He was trying to turn a book he had written 50 years earlier into a movie. It's kind of interesting to be in classes like that where some of the students are older than the teachers. The older students like to ask lots of questions, by the way. Get ready to share a collective sigh with the rest of the class when the 40 year old mom talks about her children for half an hour... </p>
<p>But, in general, I'd say the majority of students are the same age as you (like in high school).</p>
<p>What time do classes start? Or do you have the option to pick different times for classes? I'm not an early morning person...
-You make up your own schedule of classes.</p>
<p>What time can classes go up to?
-earliest offered at my CCC 6:55 am
latest class is over at 10:00 pm</p>
<p>How is the social life? Do you just go to class and then go home? Or is there actually stuff to do? That's what I'm kinda worried about. I'm not a crazy party guy but I do like to occasionally and unfortunately none of my close friends are going to CCC (I might not sure yet). Going to suck being alone my first year.
-Average. Yes. Most CCC's are commuter schools with very little student organizations and even then, the people running them are also a bit disorganized. Strangely enough I went in with this mentality of forget everyone I'm here to learn, do well and transfer but ended up meeting some really cool people & a new great friend. It does broaden your mind to new experiences and that was cool as cheesy as it sounds.</p>
<p>My local CC offers some honors program. The counselor said it doesn't really help you out too much in the transfer process. You can get a 3.0 GPA instead of a 3.5 GPA (since the classes are harder). I don't know much about it. Anyone fill me in on whether it's worth it to do the honors program
-Usually for UCLA know as the Scholars or TAP program. Gives an andvantage to borderline students whom are applying to major in the College of Letters and Sciences. Impacted majors, forget about it, better to have the higher GPA in non-honors courses, I'd say... Good Luck! The first semester CAN be awkward as you are adjusting, lol.</p>
<p>I did LOVE that I eased into adulthood here. I'm only 19 but feel waaaay more responsible for my own success than when I came in straight out of high school. And this is my last semester so it's been cool bc now it's up to you to determine how and what you want to do, no more blaming counselors or parents!</p>