Is it too early to transfer for chemistry major?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
1

I was admitted to UCSB and i’m having second thoughts about attending. So far i’ve completed:

  • Chem 1A & Chem 1AL,
  • Chem 1B & Chem 1BL,
  • Chem 1C & Chem 1CL
  • Chem 6AL
  • Chem 109A
  • Math 3A
  • Math 3B
  • Physics 1

And i’ve technically completed half of physics 2 and half of chem 6BL and chem 109B, but since community college is semester system and UCs are quarter i’ll have to retake those.

  • I also have the IGETC completed.

I’m just worried that i haven’t completed enough courses, i wish i could talk to a counselor now and know if it was possible to graduate in 2 years or not. I’m just sick of community college otherwise i’d stay another year.

These are the links for the UCSB chemistry major courses
http://www.chem.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.chem.d7-2/files/sitefiles/Combined%20ChemBS+Schedule%2016-17.pdf

http://www.chem.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.chem.d7-2/files/sitefiles/undergrad/degreerequirements/Chem%20%28BS%29%20sample%20schedule%2017-18.pdf

2

Hello! I’m in a similar situation as a bio major, I have half of ochem completed and I called and asked how that will translate to their ochem series. The counselor told me that it would not translate well and if I can, that I should complete the other half of ochem during the summer (which I’ll be doing). The counselor stated that it would not conflict the terms of admission as it was not stated that it would be completed in the courses planned in the application.

I was worried as well because ochem is 3 quarters which would set me back a year for biochem. They also said they welcomed students to take cc classes during the summer. If you’re in the LA area (socal) I know of ccs that offer physics and ochem during the summer.

3

Transferring to the school you’re going to graduate from sooner is usually the better plan, especially if you are sick of where you are. Is the main concern the additional costs involved at UCSB versus your CC?

4

The main concern is the additional cost if i were to need a 3rd year. It’s already going to cost me $80k for 2 years, bumping that up to $120k for a 3rd year would be a nightmare.

5

Since you have IGETC done, you’re fine on general eds. It sounds like your backup plan would be part-time community college just taking as many of the technical courses as you can at a lower tuition rate. The problem with technical sequences is that they have to be done in order. You can’t overload and take first and second year chemistry simultaneously. Perhaps you could take one or two STEM classes a quarter for a year while also working to save up for the post-transfer tuition?

Your wish to meet with an advisor is really the best way to figure out if you can graduate UCSB in two years with what you have. Do they offer department academic advising appointments for incoming transfer students?