Is the current TAG system undermining the integrity of the UC transfer process?

<p>wow, 3.8? No wonder I got rejected from UCSD.</p>

<p>The TAG program was initially instituted to draw students to complete their general education at CCs. I have a lot of respect for programs like UCLA’s TAP because it requires students to challenge themselves and not just get by on the bare minimum and still being accepted over someone who worked harder. I actually think it’s awesome that UCSD is upping the required program GPA because it will enable students to work harder.</p>

<p>I am slightly biased against TAG though because of the following reasons:</p>

<p>I could not TAG UCI, UCR because I have attended an OOS 4-Yr college.</p>

<p>I could not TAG UCSD, UCSB, UCSC because I have 92 Units (capped at 90).</p>

<p>I could not TAG UCD because I have 92 Units (capped at 80).</p>

<p>I don’t know UCM’s guidelines.</p>

<p>I do understand that the TAG program generally coincides with the University rules in which case I would have been rejected from UCSD, UCSB, UCSC regardless (for being in Senior standing). I also understand that the CCC system is supposed to be traditionally for residents of CA especially those who have just graduated HS (or returning students I guess). Despite this, it still bothers me that someone who hasn’t fulfilled half of their pre-reqs or has any extracurricular activities would be accepted over a more capable/deserving student just because one could fill out a TAG agreement and the other couldn’t.</p>

<p>I got in to UCSD no tag and OOS. My GPA was under the apparent cutoff at 3.72. Maybe because my major wasn’t impacted idk. If so the whole in-state gets priority is bs or they just wanted my money… Or I just got really lucky</p>

<p>People with 3.0, 2.9 got in with no tag. Sure does the tag standards need to go up? yes. But the fundamental problem here is not tag, its the budget crisis.</p>

<p>I completely agree that the TAG system is flawed-extremely…it actually makes me question who these ideas get ran by? Being able to TAG at one school, great, but ALL schools, however many you want? In my opinion,That is just strange…then everyone tags to get into every school, knowing they will only choose one in the end, but then again I guess everyone is eligible to TAG if they want so we all could have… but personally I think they should eliminate the TAG system all together, that way, admission decisions would be completely fair.</p>

<p>TAG is but a system that looks out for the California peeps and helps ensure us a great education. Either you take advantage of it or you don’t…The choice is yours.</p>

<p>(sorry for the necrobump)</p>

<p>Wow, reading this thread has me worried. I would love to attend UCSD, but I’m unable to TAG. I won’t have 30 units after my first year at CC due to all of the schools around me cancelling their winter sessions (actually I will, but only with AP units, something that Davis and Merced allow for their tags, but no one else)</p>

<p>But it really is a flawed system! Why can my AP units count towards that 60 unit transfer rule, but not the initial 30 for tag?! And then Davis can give the OK, but not UCSD (or SB or Irvine)?!</p>

<p>It’s ridiculous. If I have a high GPA and I get accepted to UCLA or Berkeley (or both), but then I get rejected by UCSD then I can assure you that I will come back and necrobump this thread two years from now and complain. :P</p>

<p>

That’s one explanation. Alternatively you can explain why you won’t have 30 units after your 1st year attending community college because you didn’t take enough classes the fall and spring semesters, or during the summer after the 1st year. </p>

<p>You’re young enough that you can still choose how you view the world. You can expect the world to change to your liking, and rail against the unfairness when it doesn’t. Or you can adapt to what life gives you. </p>

<p>You know the rules. If you loved UCSD enough you’d find a way to get those 30 units by taking any UC transferable that pushes you over the threshold. Jazz Dance. Art Appreciation. Whatever. And you’d take it at your school or a nearby school if that’s what fits into your schedule.</p>

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<p>Hahahahaha I want to be mad at you for calling me out, but I can’t deny that you are absolutely right. I guess if I really wanted UCSD that much then I would go out of my way for the units.</p>

<p>What you said has a lot of truth to it concerning adapting to what life gives you. Instead of going “this sucks / why is this happening to me / I’m going to go off and complain”, it’s better to ask yourself “what do I need to do to overcome this?”. The latter has you using your brain, where as in the former you aren’t thinking; you’re just reacting.</p>

<p>I actually just found out about that lesson a couple weeks ago while I was reading Rich Dad Poor Dad (amazing motivational book by Robert Kiyosaki regardless if you disagree with his financial advice). One of the things he mentions is that financially challenged people tend to say “I can’t afford this”, where as people on the other end of the spectrum think “how can I afford this?”</p>

<p>I was going to make a similar comment, but refrained for I thought you wouldn’t see past my criticism. It’s great that you have the ability to see things in a different perspective and that you have introspection. What worries me about a lot of high-achieving individuals is that they don’t have solid copping skills or know-how to adapt to adversity or inequality.
It’s not that that one should be complacent with what they feel is wrong or unjust, but it is to understand that a worldview that places yourself at the center of all that is unfair in the world takes a certain amount of hubris no one should have. It never sends a good message to anyone. Frankly, it really shows people that you’re (not referring to you specifically) stuck-up and entitled.</p>

<p>Good luck with UCSD.</p>

<p>Last year everything went well. TAG was raised to 3.5 and if you look in the TAG decision thread for UCSD last year, 3.2s, 3.3s and 3.4s were accepted (and rejected) as opposed to having a near 0% chance in 2011. UCSD already said this is the last year for TAG.</p>

<p>This is not the last TAG opportunity for UCSD. Next fall, the incoming class transfers of fall 2014, will be the last time a person can TAG to UCSD.</p>