Is taking classes at different schools bad?

I’m trying to transfer to UCLA pre-stats next year, with geography as my alt major. I go to SMC (and their math department sucks.)

I plan on taking online (or currently taking):
Multivariable Calculus via University of Texas Extension.
Cultural Geography via Coastline Community College.
Linear Algebra via Cerro Coso CC.

Is it bad that I’m taking so many classes online at different schools?

Also what happens if your major GPA is lower than your actual GPA? Because I think UT calculus, linear algebra, and UCLA Stats 20 are gonna kick my butt.

No. I went to 3 or so concurrently and have gone to over 7 overall. It becomes a pain though when it comes time to request transcripts, and can get expensive.

You might want to explain why you took classes as so many places somewhere in your app, but beyond that it shouldn’t be an issue. Why are you taking them at so many places? Do you live in CA? If so, why not take them all at CA community colleges?

They also won’t have any idea that it’s online or not, unless they can tell that it’s obviously out of state.

Overall GPA vs major GPA isn’t all that important as long as both are competitive.

You should be fine. I took math a different college than the one I attend because 1) the school I attend has a sucky math department & 2) I took math courses at a college near my house during high school so I decided to finish all math courses at that same school rather than transfer the credits over to my main CC and take math there. All you have to do is report it when applying to school. My cousin takes courses at 3 different CCs. In the end, it’s not a big deal.

In general it’s fine, but it’s recommended to take sequenced courses at one college (or district), such as physics and chemistry. Also Berkeley requires Linear Algebra and Differential Equations at the same college (or district).