So I graduated in the top 2 percent of my high school class. I got into 4 UCs, and am set to go to UCSD. However, I have been having second thoughts abtout this entire plan to go straight to a 4-year because I did not receive a single cent of aid and have two younger siblings that will be in college in a few years (they are already planning on just going to community and transferring). I’ll be honest, the two summer classes I’ve taken at the community college have been moderately challenging but interesting, I don’t even know why people say community sucks so much. You can be the big fish in a small pond and stand out among many of the students there, and it kind of boosts your confidence lol.
Is it too late to just drop everything and go to a 2 year first? If finances weren’t a burden for my family I wouldn’t be stressing out this much and regretting ever working this hard in high school only to be constantly worried about whether this is even worth the stress :(( And what if, just what if I end up not liking it there (which I doubt), and feel guilty about the whole situation.
And I applied to scholarships but my parents said it’s not even worth it because it won’t make a dent in the tuition.
I think it’s too late. I’m not sure, ask @mikemac
It is theoretically not too late to change plans, but you need to check how suitable the CC->transfer plan is. Things to consider:
- You may not be admitted to a desired UC or CSU as a transfer if your CC grades are not high enough.
- If you are very advanced in one or more subjects, starting at CC may impose a temporary "ceiling" because there are no upper division courses at CCs. Advanced students at four year schools may take upper division courses in their frosh or soph years.
- Check http://www.assist.org to see if the frosh/soph courses for your major at UCs and CSUs are covered by the CCs in your area, and check how difficult it is to get into those courses at the CCs (since they are open admission, they cannot regulate enrollment through admission like UCs and CSUs do). Since the fall semester is close to starting at semester system schools (like most CCs), you may be last in the waitlist for popular courses if you register at a CC now. If there are many uncovered courses, you will have to take many "catch up" courses after transfer to the UC or CSU.
CC=>UC is a path that works for tens of thousands of students each year. Given the work ethic and smarts demonstrated by your UCSD admission, you’ll find your way through, no doubt.
As noted above, transfer admission at all UCs and some CSUs is very competitive. To earn your way back into UCSD, you’ll need a 3.7 (give or take) GPA when you apply as a transfer. That’s a pretty tall order but, for someone who earned a 4+ HS GPA, it is probably doable - though since you apply after just 2 semesters, a C in one class can ruin your chances. Scheduling at many CCs can also be a challenge - you’d be making this decision very late so, i’d bet many of the classes you’d want/need at your CC are full.
The other thing is the whole freshman/dorm experience - for most, it changes the way they look at the world. Another consideration - who is sitting next to you in class. Attending a CC will be a significantly different experience than heading to top school like UCSD.
This is why I am such a big fan of transparency with my kids… this is a conversation that should have happened a long time ago but, talk to your parents and see how much of a hardship the $30k/yr will be. Since you got no aid, your family must have a solid income and asset base. If they tell you they have it covered, off to San Diego you go, no worries. If they confess it will break their bank and cost your siblings an education, it is time for plan B.
Good luck
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfer-admissions-summary can show you transfer admit rates by UC campus and GPA. For UCSD in 2014, 86% of transfer applicants with 3.60-4.00 GPA were admitted, but only 36% of those with 3.20-3.59 GPA were admitted. Unfortunately, intended major cannot be indicated, so you cannot see any selectivity differences by major.
its not too late to withdraw and you probably get all deposits back. See https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/enroll/withdrawal/withdrawal-undergraduates.html
As to whether its a good idea to go to a CC instead, that discussion could fill pages and pages. Here are a few things to consider, others may add more in addition to what is written above. Many of your peers at a CC are going to drop out before they get a 4-year degree, so to the extent they influence the level of class discussion, instruction, and what is the “norm” for studying and doing homework that can be a drawback. Its easier to make friends at a 4-year when you start as a lost frosh like everyone else; by junior year many kids have made their core group of friends and aren’t looking for more. If you are outgoing this may be not much of a factor. In terms of getting to know profs for recs you have 1 year if you start as a junior since you’ll be applying for grad school or jobs in the front part of senior year. And unless you were planning on living at home at UCSD, many people would say a lot of what they gained in college came outside of class as they met people with other backgrounds and point of views.
that said, many people xfer and are happy with their experience. Talk it over with some people who have done it both ways (4-year at 1 school or xfer) perhaps older siblings of some of your friends. There is no universal right/wrong answer here, you pays your money and takes your chances…