How much longer to stay at community college?

<p>Okay, so. Here's my story:</p>

<p>After this spring, I will have been at CC for three semesters. However, I've been really on and off and switching my plans around a lot. Basically, I'm not sure if I should complete all my requirements in one more year and apply for transfer this coming fall, or stay for two years to show that I'm dedicated to my current major and can be consistent. I can finish all my classes (IGETC and major req) in one year, but I could prep for a double major or something in two. I can go either way, but obviously I'd like to transfer sooner rather than later. I'd like to apply to UCLA and Berkeley (I know, ambitious), and my counselor wouldn't really give me much input on which decision would be safer. Here's what I've done so far:</p>

<p>Fall 07: 3 W's (frequent illness, decided to take a year off. also was away for about a month)
Fall 08: 6 UC transferable units but in classes irrelevant to my new major, was doing a different program
Spring 09: 13 transferable units
Fall 09: one W. left school to travel
Spring 10: taking 7 units, finally decided on my current major. I wish I had signed up for more, but I was out of the country with limited internet to keep trying to add classes</p>

<p>With summer school, I can finish everything by next spring. My major is geography and my GPA is 3.9. I'll be completing the honors program at my school (and this will give me TAP certification). PTK and AGS starting this semester, no real ECs so far but I'm getting involved a couple of volunteer programs this semester since I'll finally be in one place for a while. The only thing I've got is having done quite a bit of traveling. I'm also open to ideas for interesting geography-related ECs if anyone has any.</p>

<p>I'd love some advice, and sorry for the super long post. Thank you!</p>

<p>So you currently have 26 units right now (at the end of the spring semester)?</p>

<p>To get a tag, you need 4 more units, but if 3.9 is your cumulative GPA, you should be fine at almost any UC, but I think you will need to write about the W’s in your personal statement.</p>

<p>You will need 60 units to transfer though, 34 more than you currently have. If you can take 2 courses (6 units) in the summer then you will have to take an average of 14 units a semester. If you can’t, it will hurt you two fold, first you can’t TAG in to the school so your GPA becomes more important, second factor is that your GPA will almost certainly suffer from the 17 unit/semester loads.</p>

<p>@ linguine: feedayeen is spot on. I would highly recommend taking 6 units (UC-transferrable) over summer. I did 10 last summer so that I could be TAG eligible. It was crazy, but so worth it! Now I don’t have to worry about not getting into a UC or something. I’m guaranteed admission to UCSC, Davis, and UCSD. I have strong stats, but it’s relieving (psychologically) to know you’re already in somewhere…trust me after you’ve applied and are waiting for the colleges to get back to you, you’ll be so happy you have a TAG.</p>

<p>Like I said: Take 6 summer units, meaning have over 30 UC-trans. units done by the end of summer. Then apply for TAG’s to wherever you want (UCD, UCSB, UCSD, etc). Also, try to continue completing your TAP requirements for UCLA.</p>

<p>Apply this fall. There’s no harm in applying no matter what. Seriously. Even if you decide to take an extra year, at least you’ll have had the option to go to a university fall 2011. I would keep working toward those 60 units, IGETC certification, and major prereqs, and then apply this fall. Even if you get into Berkeley the first time around, but opt to stay at your CCC, that will not hurt your chances for next year when applying.</p>

<p>Hope that helped :). Btw I’m in a similar predicament, but I’ve already applied and waiting on acceptances. If I get into UCB, I’ll probably go. If not, I’ll prob stay an extra year at my CCC lol. Anyway, best of luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for your replies. My one year plan is to take 8 units (spanish and another class) over summer, 14-15 during the fall, and 12 during the spring… so I should be good on units. I think that puts me at exactly 60 with no wiggle room, so hopefully I get into the classes I need. :)</p>

<p>p.s. the fact that you’re in a similar predicament definitely sets my mind at ease a little bit, thanks emil!</p>

<p>bump for varied input? stay to show i can stick it out, or apply for fall '11?</p>