HELP! Changing majors after an AA and 86 units, will I be able to get classes to transfer?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi, I'm currently attending Pasadena City College. I've spent 3 years (2010-2013) studying as an English Lit major, and got my AA in Eng Lit in Fall 2013. (GPA: 3.36)</p>

<p>Then I was forced to leave school for a year due to a lot of circumstances, and I the course of 2014 I've decided to not transfer as an English major, but to switch to Chemical Engineering. I've registered for 19 units of Chem, Maths (still taking PreCalc), Biol, etc for Spring 2014 and I'm dedicated to returning to school and take as long as I need (hopefully not more than 4 years since I'm essentially starting CC over w/ this new high-unit major) to accomplish my goal and transfer.</p>

<p>That's all well and good, but there's a problem. According to the Student Success Act of 2012, I believe it states I will lose my BOGW fee waiver after 110 units (which I can live with I suppose, I won't even get fin aid after getting my AA), BUT they also say I will lose my priority registration after taking 100 units, which I will easily surpass, given my situation.</p>

<p>If I lose all priority registration (I will LITERALLY be registering last along with concurrent HS students) I doubt there is ANY way I will be able to get the classes I need for my major (Chem, Calc-based Physics, Maths) at all.</p>

<p>Has this law essentially blocked me from getting a second chance at going through the CCC system in another discipline than my original one? OR...</p>

<p>Could I possibly get by it by going through a different CC? If I apply to Glendale Community College, for example, and do all my studies (Maths, Physics, Chem) THERE (with the exception of the entry level classes I'll be taking now) will I be able to get around losing my priority registration? (And, fingers crossed, maybe even keep my BOGW tuition fee waiver?) I could wait to transfer my courses for IGETC cert right before applying for transfer.</p>

<p>I'm so distressed to hear how complicated my goal is becoming to achieve, anyone have advice as to what I should do? I'm planning to speak to an academic counselor at PCC on Tuesday or Wednesday about this. Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>bump</p>

3

<p>The people at PCC are the ones who will be able to answer your questions with more certainty. So make careful notes for that conversation, and then find something to distract you from this issue until you can meet with them.</p>

4

<p>You are jeopardizing not only your CalGrant, but also your opportunity to transfer into UC. And it is not only your BOG fee waiver that is in jeopardy, but the overall CalGrant for your remaining two years at a 4-year school- I believe CalGrant has a maximum combined community college and 4-yr of six years of coverage. You can’t dodge the BOG fee waiver limits by changing community colleges. The board of Governors is state-wide.</p>

<p>Your best bet may be to transfer to UC as an English major, then take classes at UC to transfer over from the college of LAS to the college of Engineering (not an easy feat in itself!), if UC is your target. Have a discussion about unit limits NOW. Both at PCC and at UC. UC limits the number of units you can have and remain enrolled as an undergraduate, as well as limiting transfer students to between 60 -90 units. In January, it is not unlikely that Gov. Brown will recommend to the Regents (he is one of the Regents) of UC to even further restrict units as a budget-saving measure (UC tuition is subsidized by State taxes, so reducing time-in-school per student increases number of students served per tax dollar).</p>

<p>You really need PCC- and UC- specific advice on this, and as soon as possible!! It is too complex for an internet forum.</p>