<p>I have breezed through my first year of Community College with a 4.0 gpa. Never got higher than a 2.5 gpa in highschool but am taking full advantage of my education now. I am a engineering major and have read about the rigorousness of the engineering classes at universities. Is it usually a killing field for CC transfers (especially engineering majors) when they go on to more prestigious universities or are they better off than the incoming freshman?</p>
<p>Similar situation here. 3 years at CC, 4.0 GPA. Calc 1-4, physics w/ calc 1-2, among many others.</p>
<p>I start computer engineering at UMN this fall. I have heard varying “stories” on difficulty between CC and University courses. At UMN orientation they said “Expect the courses to be far more difficult.” Honestly, this “sort-of” excites me. The courses I’ve taken at CC have been “relatively” easy. In theory, we should be learning the same thing no matter where we take the courses. </p>
<p>I read a post earlier today (on this site) about a guy and his peer’s who transferred from CC to major University to study engineering, continued their 4.0 GPA’s. I’ve also read on here people who claim University courses are a nightmare compared to CC courses. My personal opinion is these people want to feel of an elevated status, because they are at a University and we are at “lowly” CC.</p>
<p>I’ve heard first hand accounts that people from CC were much more prepared than the students who went through the University course sequences. Teachers at a CC want to teach, and can teach (at least from my experience). People who are at a University want to research, and don’t care about teaching. </p>
<p>I think this all boils down to who the individual is, and their study habits. Should the courses be more challenging as their number goes from 1xxx to 2xxx? I think yes. Will there be new struggles as we transition from CC to University? Yes. Will we find a way to get the best grade we can? Yes.</p>
<p>With all this said, I am preparing for the worst. I am putting full expectations on studying almost all day everyday. I quit my part-time job in order to free up my weekends. I’ve told my friends, “you may not see much of me at all this upcoming school year.”</p>
<p>Sorry my post got long, but I like hearing I am not the only one who worries about this.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Thanks jawzzy you reply was very informative. I know how hard it is to put off friends but it only betters one’s work ethic and determination to get the work done. I’m glad to hear im not the only one in my predicament either.</p>
<p>I’ve heard similar comments, but I think it really comes down to the individual school, the specific class, and the individual taking the class. Some CC’s are going to have a much easier curriculum. The CC I’m in focuses very heavily on engineering programs. The math courses here are quite rigorous, as are the physics courses. I imagine the courses I’ll have after transferring will be more difficult, but it’s also worth noting that a typical transfer student coming from a CC is going to go straight into their upper level courses after transferring. The upper level courses are going to be more difficult than the intro courses, no matter where you’re coming from.</p>
<p>I’m sure my CC doesn’t have the kind of rigor in the intro courses that one would get at MIT or Caltech or something…but they’re far from easy. Our math, physics and chemistry are all great programs. The people teaching them are passionate about their subjects, and definitely don’t make it easy for people. It’s not impossible, but you certainly have to put the work in if you want a good grade.</p>
<p>Great points comfortablycurt. I think you hit the nail on the head with this line “I think it really comes down… to the individual taking the class.” From my 3 years in CC the majority of people who fail are the people who can’t seem to do their homework on time, don’t study, party, work too much, etc. But these same people find a million excuses why they are failing the class. The people I know who “truly” put school first, do well.</p>