Local Community College or UCLA? Currently a high school senior.

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>I got into UCLA (as well USC, JHU, and Berkeley), and I really want to go to UCLA, but...</p>

<p>My parents will have hard time paying for my college tuition. I would pay in-state tuiton, but don't qualify for any federal/state aid because I am an AB540 student. I will get some private scholarships and my parents say they will try to cover my tuiton with private loans, but I don't think I should put such severe financial strain on my family. I am trying to convince myself to go to CC instead of UCLA for the sake of my family, but I can't get over the feeling what I will miss so much by not choosing UCLA. </p>

<p>So here are some of the pros and cons (I think) of attending CC</p>

<p>Pros:</p>

<p>Save my family A LOT of money </p>

<p>Easier classes at cc</p>

<p>More time to help out my dad in his business (I work for my dad 20 hrs/week to support our family and I can't do that if I attend UCLA) </p>

<p>More time for fun?</p>

<p>Ultimately, the diplomas of those who started as freshmen at UCLA and those who started as transfers are same right?</p>

<p>Cons:</p>

<p>I have a feeling that most UCLA students would have settled into their own niches by the time I get to UCLA and I may have a hard time fitting in socially. Is this true? Can I still build connections/relationships with professors as a 3rd year? Can I still "network"?</p>

<p>How hard is it getting a dorm as a transfer student? </p>

<p>I don't know if this is a con but... I already have A LOT of units (~90 quarter units) from AP classes and college classes taken during high school. Isn't there a unit cap or something where students with a large number of units are disadvantaged somehow?</p>

<p>I know this is sort of immature of me, but I can't get over how my friends/teachers and other close to me would react at me going to a cc (they don't know about my immigration status). In any case this is not a very big factor.</p>

<p>Disadvantaged when applying to grad school or for a job? I assume that because transfers naturally took a fewer courses at UCLA than those who started as freshmen so they may speculate that transfers have had easier time maintaining a higher/same gpa at UCLA.</p>

<p>I would miss the entire experience of attending UCLA as a freshman..</p>

<p>So can you guys help me decide? I know I will make the ultimate decision, but any opinons will be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Also I have a list of few [more] questions:</p>

<p>Can you transfer after only 1 year at community college? I already finished most of my GEs. I am only missing 3 classes + 4 GEs required to admission to bizecon major. I think I can finish those classes in one year. </p>

<p>If it is possible to transfer after 1 year, will cc classes I have taken during high school be included in the college GPA? </p>

<p>How hard is it to transfer to UCLA? What are some admission consideration factors other than GPA? Do grades/activities in high school count at all?</p>

<p>Do classes taken at CC (even during high school) go on UCLA transcript when applying to grad school? </p>

<p>Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for reading the post. Any input will be appreciated</p>

2

<p>well to address one of your cons:</p>

<p>ap units and any college classes taken in high school do not count towards your max.</p>

<p>furthermore, the max only prohibits acceptance if the units were received at a 4 year college. if you go over from a cc, you just can’t transfer over a certain number (70 semester units, i believe).</p>

3

<p>without reading your lists,</p>

<p>"I don’t think I should put such severe financial strain on my family. "</p>

<p>in the long run, the strain really isn’t so bad… help them pay it back when you graduate. they’ll be more than grateful. </p>

<p>also, you can’t put a price on the 18-year-old college experience, and i feel like it really is more inclusive than any of us, on this board, can imagine. </p>

<p>you can go about this whole college thing a number of ways… but you busted your ass to have one particular option over the various others. i suggest you take it.</p>

<p>last thing… try not to feel guilty about going to college on your parents’ buck. they had 18 years to anticipate it, and if you don’t qualify for some sort of finaid, odds are, they could have set the money aside, if it meant that much. regardless, there are always low interest loans available to YOU, personally, that can be taken out with a cosigner. you’d accumulate some debt, yeah, but what the hell, man… you only live once, and those first years of college – the independence, liberation, involvement, provocation, COEDS – the lot of it, as its effects are taken on a supple 18 year old brain, only happens once, in one way, in one place, in one circumstance… . be selfish. do it right. do it for yourself. you’ll have an entire lifetime to give back to your parents, the first example of which is a degree from one of those schools.</p>

4

<p>cr_book, can you pick which units/classes to transfer (if you go over that 70 sem. units)?</p>

<p>pinkerfloyd, I know my family’s financial status inside and out. I even prepare their tax returns. They don’t have any money set aside. Our only significant asset is the business my dad owns and I don’t want him to take loans out with his business as collateral. I probably won’t get any low interest loans because I don’t have SS#. Private loans has to be paid in regular dues and interest rates are high so I can’t let my parents go through with it. They know that I worked hard and wants to reward me with UCLA education, but I cant let them do it when the prospective financial damage is so evident. Yeah I busted my ass and I am sorry to see all that effort go (possibly) down the drain by attending CC instead, but I don’t want to make my family suffer so that I can be selfish. </p>

<p>The main thing that concerns me is the experience I will miss from not attending UCLA as a first year. I want to be a part of it, but it’s frustrating since I can’t afford such luxury.</p>

<p>Thank you both for the inputs though. I appreciate it.</p>

5

<p>confidentiality,</p>

<p>that’s actually a great question. unfortunately i don’t know the answer to that. i would guess yes, but it’s merely a guess. i am trying to transfer from a uc so i have to adhere to the unit limit.</p>

6

<p>I think you should go to UCLA. Seeing that you want to transfer within a year, I think you should not go to a community college. Try to graduate early instead. It is very possible if you are willing to work very hard. My friend is a EE major and with all the classes he is taking now, he is eligible to graduate a year early. I know you stressed that you dont want this to be a financial burden on your family, but I agree with pinkerfloyd. A degree from UCLA will definitely be able to pay your family back in the long run.</p>

7

<p>confidentiality, usually I would advise someone to absolutely go the Community College route if they are trying to save money on college. In your situation, however, I would think that going to UCLA is the wisest choice. Why? Because you already have so many credits that it really wouldn’t matter whether or not you went to a CC for a year or not. You have already saved your family SIGNIFICANT money by taking so many low-cost college units in High School. You should be able to graduate in a lot less than the usual four years because you are transferring in so many units. Get in with the goal of graduating early – that way you will save your family a lot of money!</p>

<p>And: You won’t have to go through the annoying admissions process in the fall and be anxious like we all are right now!</p>

<p>In answer to your question about grad school: Grad schools generally ask you to submit an official transcript from EVERY post-secondary institution that you have been at, including community colleges.</p>

8

<p>Also: I noticed that you are in LA. Would it be possible for your to stay living at home while attending college. That would save your family significant costs on housing.</p>

9

<p>Honestly, it depends on two things. Are you prepared to go directly into this competitive environment, and can you handle seeing your family struggle with payments and loans (in this economy), if your family is indeed at that point?</p>

<p>Going to community college is a great place to start if you don’t feel like you can handle the atmosphere of a CSU/UC. Not only that, but most community colleges have real professors instead of student teachers. The professors at CC’s seem to care a bit more of their student’s well being. The education is pretty much the same either way you go. It will indeed save a lot of money because the amount per unit (from where I am) is 25-30 dollars per unit, and books can be bought off line/cheaper. You could commute, which would save money as well. I am sure many people you know will go to a CC. It isn’t bad at all. Plus, many people end up going to CC after a quarter/year of going to CSU/UC because they cannot handle that big of a transition.</p>

<p>With the money aspect, I do not know your family’s financial status, but times are hard at the moment. With the rising cost of tuition, it is a surprise how anyone can pay for college these days. You would have a higher tuition, book cost, living, food, etc. So many things need to be factored into that equation. If your family isn’t that bad off, then I suppose you can go to UCLA. Paying off loans isn’t any easy thing. I’m sure you don’t want to spend the first few years (or more, depending on your set major/career) paying off student loans.</p>

<p>None of us can make that decision for you. Ultimately, this is your decision alone. All of us can give our two cents, but in the end you have to decide whether you really want to go to UCLA and deal with loans/debt (again, if your family truly is in that position). Your parents aren’t entitled to pay for your education. Many parents just kick their kids out at 18. College is a privilege, and you have to have the determination and dedication to go. Don’t rely solely on your parents. If they do take out loans for you, then maybe getting a job wouldn’t be so bad to help them out. That’s what a lot of people do.</p>

<p>Either way, you should take time out to decide on your own. Best of luck. I was pretty much in the same predicament. I had two sisters and one brother before me. They call majored in business/finance, and I am the only science major. UCs are a bit more than CSUs. Tough decision, but in the end I decided on CC. You never know if in a year or two your dad’s business will start booming. Who knows. Life is unpredictable. Just to let you know, I don’t regret my decision. Not at all. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Added: Graduate/Med schools really don’t care whether you went to a CC or a UC. If you look at it, the education is the same. A lot of UCs/CSUs have careless professors/student teachers. This is a reason why many UCs take more transfers over freshmen. They know that transfers already put the effort into their schooling just to quit, while freshmen can quit and go back to CC. AP/Honors courses really cannot compare to college courses. I’ve taken about the same amount as you, and I can tell you that my Calculus, Chem, and Physics courses in college were nothing compared to AP. Grad/Med schools care about your upper division. They don’t care as long as you have that complete, and if you take the proper tests. With units, certain units can transfer up until an amount (70-90 in some cases). What will happen here is that your GE reqs will get knocked down, the ones you do not need for your actual major, leaving you with your actual units that will count towards your major. In my case, my humanities and psych courses will not count for my Biology, Chem, Physics, Calc, reqs.</p>

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<p>Also, as many people say, don’t care what other people think. You are a smart kid, and no one can take that away from you. If your friends/teachers look at your differently for going to a CC, obviously they weren’t good friends/teachers in the first place. Your choice is a tough decision between you and your conscious. You will meet plenty of friends at a CC that are most likely in the same position as you. When you transfer, you will be up to par with your peers. I’ve sat in on college lectures for science classes in UC Davis, UCLA, and UCSD. I was surprised that people in the second series for General Chemistry did not even know what a titration was. Hah. :slight_smile: But then again, it may depend on the professor somebody had. UCs and high school are a completely different experience. College profs rarely care about if you need help or have questions (from my friend’s experience).</p>

11

<p>I am not going to tell you one answer or another, it’s not my place. But what i can tell is alleviate your concerns about going to community colleges before transferring. I had the same dilemma and decided to go to CC instead for financial and scheduling reasons since I had a full time job. I was able to finish in a year with a full school load if not a little more including taking summer/winter classes. They have weekend,online, early and evening classes so you can take all your prereqs before transferring. Also, UCLA (as well as many others) give priorities to transfer students from the local CCs. " We give highest priority to students who are transferring from California community colleges or other University of California campuses." from UCLA website.
Your situation is tough because you’re already accepted as a freshman, it’s over half the battle. If you decide to go to CC, it’s not a bad decision at all. Good luck!</p>

12

<p>I agree that this is most definitely a difficult decision that no one but you can make. However, if I were in your shoes, I think I would most definitely go to UCLA. You will most likely be able to go straight from your freshman to junior year, thus saving your family a year’s worth of tuition because you already have so many units. On top of that, you can also take more classes at a cc over the summer and transfer them over. Furthermore, very few people have an extra $100,000 lying around to attend 4 years of a public university. Especially with the economy, I think that loans will simply become a way of life for those pursuing a higher education. Of course, you might consider working throughout your undergrad years, but this depends on your study habits and whether you think you can balance college life with a job.</p>

<p>I also completely empathize with your feeling of what-will-my-friends-and-teachers-think? It was REALLY difficult to watch all my friends go off to bigger and better things, especially because I knew I could be one of them if I wasn’t so stubborn (I got into UCD and UCSD out of high school but they have never been schools I wanted to attend, so my decision was much easier than yours). In fact, I still find the community college experience very difficult simply because there is NO INCENTIVE TO LEARN. You get awarded for doing the bare minimum, and teachers seriously give me As for simply writing coherent sentences. You have to provide your own motivation every step of the way, since teacher expectations are exceptionally low and you will not be challenged to ever try harder. For me, it’s an extremely frustrating environment to work in, and I feel as if I’ve gotten stupider in the last year.</p>

<p>Which brings me to your community college questions. Yes, you can most definitely transfer in one year. Just be VERY CAREFUL, talk to many different counselors, and make sure that you know exactly how much credit UCLA is giving you for everything. Go above the required 90 units so you have a buffer zone. All CC classes you have taken will show up on your transcript, but if they bring down your GPA college admissions will be able to see in what year you took them. See, I’m also concerned that you would give up your UCLA admission and have to apply again. Generally, I think UCLA’s transfer rate is 34%. If you do decide to go to community college, definitely see if any colleges in your area have an honors program that has a TAP agreement with UCLA. This will give you about a 90% chance of admission. While high school grades will not play a factor, you can certainly list high school ECs on your application, especially because you’ll be applying just 3 months into your community college experience.</p>

<p>Seriously, good luck, and I hope you make a choice you won’t regret.</p>

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<p>I was in the same spot you are in. In high school I was in the honors program and also took many AP’s. Most of my friends went off to big schools and I was kinda embarrassed to go to a cc. However, if you do choose to go to a cc it won’t be that bad. I joined the honors program and there are many people like you that could have gone to a great school but didn’t have the money or something else came up. (I thought I was going to be the smartest one there but I was completely wrong.) However I do think I missed out on the whole college experience thing. If I was able to do it all again (although I totally don’t regret my decision) I might lean more towards going to a big school like UCLA (or USC!). </p>

<p>Just remember you are really lucky you got in to all these great schools (though I’m sure you worked really hard for them!). There are many seniors like you that don’t have all these great options.</p>

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<p>confidential, would you be able to finish 60 semester (0r 90 quarter) units next year? </p>

<p>and, have you spoken to anyone at UCLA about your situation? i thought they would have been able to offer some type of financial assistance to a student like you.</p>

15

<p>lovefury and usdenick: I am still planning on graduating as fast as possible in UCLA if I transfer. I still have a year’s worth of classes I can finish at community college. In the end, I will still get the same degree of graduating at UCLA regardless if I was a transfer or not right? I won’t be disadvantaged at jobs/grad school? And I want to dorm for just one year I am at UCLA regardless if I go as a transfer or freshman. </p>

<p>Sonika: Thanks for the detailed reply, but I am definitely ready to take on UCLA rigor. That won’t be a problem for me at all. I go to a school where 60+ go to UCLA/Cal every year and 20+ goes to ivies. I have the 3rd highest GPA in the class and I have never got anything else but A’s in all my 7 college/10 APs/and 6 honors classes (sorry I didn’t mean to brag). And yes I know I will make the ultimate decision, I just wanted some opinions. But really, thank you for many of the great advices and answering one of my “grad school” question. =)</p>

<p>FeeFee34: Yeah I understand how you feel about the ease of CC courses. I have taken a few myself. I currently have a 4.0 GPA at cc as well and I can easily maintain this w/o a problem if I choose to go cc. However, I don’t know much about TAP and honors thing at CCs so I will look that up. So if I decide to transfer after 1 year, I will be applying in like December of this year? Thanks, I hope I don’t make a decision that I will regret.</p>

<p>l-jours and caligirl89: Thanks. Your posts were very comforting haha</p>

<p>sophee: I will have ~90 quarter units by the time I graduate high school. I have spoken to a financial aid rep during the UCLA college day for freshman and he said I won’t be getting any financial assistance. It was very discouraging, but I am still going to call up some offices and try to convince them to give me some aid haha. It sucks. I have been paying taxes ever since I came to America, but I don’t qualify for any aid becuse I don’t have green card/citizenship. =(</p>

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<p>If you go to community college, you might want to take some summer classes just so you can report more grades to the UCs when you apply this coming November. </p>

<p>Definitely don’t trust the opinion of just ONE rep. Same goes for counselors. Ask, ask, ask, and maybe on your tenth try you’ll find someone that has some really useful info. That’s what I learned from MY community college experience anyway. Also, would you be eligible for scholarships? There’s lots of stuff out there, and you seem really bright and talented–I’m sure something will work out for you.</p>

17

<p>i think that if you <em>can</em> afford to go to ucla, then you should go for it… with all your credits it seems like you will already save money by possibly graduating early…another thing you can do is enroll in a payment plan…get a job and help out as much as you can, and instead of spending such effort on trying to transfer to ucla…spend that time applying to as many scholarships as possible (twice a month? or more?)…just know that eventually your goal is to still attend ucla so if you can why not get an early start? research before making the decision…</p>

<p>i hope everything works out and who knows what can happen with all the immigration reform being talked about (dont count on it…but you never know)</p>

18

<p>Yeah I am planning to take summer classes, but it is definitely possible transfer after 1 year right? Is there a spot to put AP scores and college classes taken during high school on the transfer app?</p>

<p>I am only eligible for private scholarships. I applied to 100 at least lol, but only received $3000 so far. Although most of them didn’t announce winners yet. I am going to try try try to get some aid. I will bother the hell out of those financial/scholarship offices haha</p>

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<p>whathappenednow: I’ve been researching since freshman year. I don’t qualify for work-study or anything so I don’t think I can enroll in a payment plan. Actually, I am really counting on DREAM Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform to pass this year so that students like me (theres thousands of them) can attend college. Thank you for the reply though.</p>

20

<p>Yes, you can DEFINITELY transfer after one year. I did it, and so did plenty of other people on this forum. </p>

<p>There will also be a spot for you to list your AP tests on your application, but I don’t think you have to provide your scores until after you’ve been admitted. As for college classes taken in high school, I think you would just list them as part of your college curriculum, but based on the academic year admissions will know that you were enrolled in high school at the time. It’s actually the exact same application you filled out this year, only you’ll be applying for junior status, and it won’t ask you for SAT or ACT scores. </p>

<p>Hmmm, this is kind of a long shot . . . but is there a way for your to defer enrollment for a year, take your community college classes, then transfer them over and simply start UCLA as a junior?</p>