<p>what are u planing to do after college graduation? You will be feeling like a torture once in UCLA because there are so many opportunities but not many are open for you. (this is how I feel at Cal.) I am not an accomphlish kid like u as I only get in lower tier UC out high school (did not bother to apply to UCB and UCLA, choose CC and transfer) Anyway, it’s like seeing other ppl success while u can do as good as they are. I really hated my life at cal, lying to people everyday, making up story. Though I gotta finish my degree.</p>
<p>Confidentiality,</p>
<p>You got a lot of good responses, and I’ll just throw in my piece of advice. I’d say go to the CC because you will have just as many good experiences and learning without the headaches. You will not miss out on much because there is always a large group of transfer students that you will connect with in a couple years</p>
<p>The main thing is value - not just money per say. My personal belief is that CCC’s offer the best bang for your buck, your lower division classes will give you all the same skills, if not more, plus you will have time to actually connect with your teachers and get some good support. Of all my friends that went to a UC right out of high school only 1 graduated in 4 years, others took 5+ and some just got tired and left after a few years. Out of the others that went to CC’s al but 2 graduated in 4 years the other two took a semester longer because they were science majors and the courses are more rigorous.</p>
<p>Trust me, the value is way better at a CCC and thats the most important thing with the economy how it is. Congratulations on getting in, but think about yours and your parent’s wallet-book over the next few years. It would probably be easier for them to help with two years rather than 4 - cuz the worst thing is to financially struggle through those last two years of college when things really start getting tough.</p>
<p>The other thing is scholarships. They are much less competitive at CCCs. You would do better to focus on your schoolwork get close with your teachers and apply for as many scholarships at the CCC. I earned 4500 in scholarships this year mainly because so few people actually apply for them. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>FeeFee - according to the rules of UC deferment options, a stipulation is that you not enroll in or take any college units while on deferment. and UCLA says they don’t generally defer for Non-Military reasons</p>
<p>[UCLA</a> Undergrad Admissions: New Bruins - Military Duty](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/NewBruins/Military.htm]UCLA”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/NewBruins/Military.htm)</p>
<p>Confidentiality, I feel for you and agree that the DREAM act should be passed as soon as possible. However, I’m still not convinced that a Community College is your best bet. Why?</p>
<p>Because: 1.) Each university and, in UCLA’s case, each college within the university, has residency requirements. These are academic residency requirements. I don’t know what they are at UCLA, but at other universities they often are something like: You must complete at least half of your units at our university in order for you to receive a degree from us. Again, they are probably different at UCLA but you should find out what they are before making this decision.</p>
<p>Will they allow you to transfer in three years worth of coursework and graduate in a year? If not, does it still make sense to go to a CC if you are required to do more than a year at UCLA once you do transfer?</p>
<p>If you will spend about the same amount of time at UCLA with or without community college, you are not really saving money, just postponing paying UCLA.</p>
<p>As a UCLA student, you can always take classes at a community college during the summer and transfer those into UCLA… if that helps you at all.</p>
<p>2.) Assuming you have taken 7 classes at three units each, you currently have 21 units. You will need to finish 39 units by the end of this coming school year in order to be eligible to transfer. It is doable, but might be challenging if you are also working.</p>
<p>2.) You will need to do the whole application process over again. Furthermore, you will need to meet new requirements as a transfer student than those you were meeting as a HS applicant. Although I don’t doubt you will be a stellar applicant even as a transfer student, are you sure you want to put yourself “through the ringer” again?</p>
<p>Just some of my thoughts. I wish you the best of luck!!!</p>
<p>Like many said, I think u should go to UCLA since:
You already have a lot of ap credit
and you can always take classes in CC, which I think you should take all lower division GE in a CC during summer of every year
Concentrate on taking major classes in UCLA
Mostly likely you are going to grad a yr earlier (if u are not science major or engineering)
Do make a decision on major now, it will save u a lot of time and money.
And remember, it will be harder to get the class u want at a UC (especially true for lower division class), so plan your schedule.
Remember UC only take 70 units from CC, so your are going to stay there for atleast 2 yrs, (2 yrs vs. 3yrs for going to UCLA now)
it is unfortunate and make u grow up earlier than many other kid around u</p>
<p>i think what dreamspace brought up is very important</p>
<p>do you already know what you want to major in ? if you don’t maybe going to a ccc would be a lot more affordable…you don’t want to go to ucla and spend time there trying to figure out what you want to do</p>
<p>also i know of people who were in your situation when they graduated… and i know a friend who is in your situation and is in a payment plan but at a csu so maybe uc’s allow it ? have you talked to the financial aid office’s about it?</p>
<p>FeeFee34: I doubt it but it would be awesome if UCs let you defer enrollment for one year so that you can take classes at cc for financial reasons. But I guess sobizzle is right and I won’t be able to defer enrollment.</p>
<p>sobizzle: Thanks for those informations. Haha I am more convinced to go to CC now, which is a good thng. </p>
<p>usdenick: Does UCLA require half of the units to be completed at UCLA? I will looks this up. You brought up some great questions that I definitely need to consider. I think I will spend one less year at UCLA by attending CC. I can graduate (if I am done with my major and unit reqs) before the year is up right? Like graduate in 1 year and 1 or 2 quarters? And about me needing 39 sem units to transfer… can’t my AP credits replace any credit deficiencies I may have? Yeah the entire transfer app again will be a hassle, but its something I am willing to go through if it means I will save money. Thanks</p>
<p>dreamspace: I plan on going grad school or work before going to grad. I do have a lot of AP credit, but they don’t help me at all (except the calc and english ones). They don’t help me in terms of skipping out of classes. Yes I plan to take all GE’s that I have left to do (just need like 4) at cc during summers. I want to graduate in les than 3 years. Maybe 2 years and 1 or 2 quarters. Haha I don’t want to brag or anything, but I think I was forced to mature faster than my peers. Thanks</p>
<p>whathappenednow: I know I will major in bizecon without a doubt. I will switch to econ, if the tuition becomes to burdensome. I know I will waste more money if I choose to switch majors, but bizecon and econ has mostly same pre-reqs so it won’t matter much. I have talked to ONE financial aid representative and he said I can’t get any aid. I am still planning to call financial/scholarship/and other offices to see if I can get any aid. Was your friend an AB540 student as well?</p>
<p>Oh and a question. Are lower division classes harder than upper division ones?</p>
<p>““I will have ~90 quarter units by the time I graduate high school.””</p>
<p>I would suggest the following.</p>
<p>First, check out how many of the above units would be counted toward graduation at UCLA.</p>
<p>Then, plan to graduate early in 2 years and 2 summers.</p>
<p>For example, if only 45 of the above units would be counted toward graduation at UCLA, then you may complete another 136 units by enrolling 18 units each for 6 regular quarters and 14 units each for 2 summer sessions. It is doable, if you plan ahead and don’t mind working hard. The downsides are less social life and more stressful academics. But you would pay no more than transferring 1 year after CCC as a junior. Good luck.</p>
<p>Depending on your major, yes and no.</p>
<p>Lower division classes at a CC, can be time-consuming, but they are generally just an expansion of things you learned in high school. I have found that the most important thing to do while attending school is to understand your teacher’s syllabus - which outlines what you need to do to get an A.</p>
<p>From there create a personal semester schedule of when you need to have all your various assignments and homework done. Then just follow the schedule. If you have already been accepted to UCLA from high school I am assuming your learning aptitude is higher than the average student. Therefore, as long as you do your work and follow the teacher’s instructions, A’s will be no problem.</p>
<p>The exception is science and math classes. Not that they are especially difficult, but they are definitely more intense in that the material needs to be understood conceptually and is usually more abstract - unless you’re a natural. I am not especially gifted in either subject, but I am one of those students who just understands something after a teacher says it - so I cannot help with any specific studying suggestions.</p>
<p>Upper division classes can be more fun depending on whether or not you enjoy the subject you are studying. I have a friend who is a photography major and he absolutely loves it because he has creative freedom in all his upper division classes - the lower division and G.E. classes were too constrained and structured. So it really just depends on what type of student you are and what subject you are studying.</p>
<p>Good luck, truly.</p>
<p>StillGreen: I checked the UCLA AP credit policy site and assist.org. I am pretty confident that UCLA will give me that much units, unless they have some secret unit-reduction thing that I don’t know about. It’s more like 85 assuming that I pass all my AP exams this year.</p>
<p>Are summer classes at UCLA cheaper than at winter/spring/fall quarters? And can I take upper division courses before getting into the major?</p>
<p>sobizzle: What I meant is that if lower division courses are harder than upper division courses at UCs. The classes I have taken in CC were very easy so I don’t think CC rigor will be any problem for me. Sorry I should have clarified that before you posted such a thought-out post. I really appreciate it though. I think this question and my two above questions are suited at UCLA forum haha.</p>
<p>Summer Fees are $253/unit</p>
<p>[Fees-Fees</a> fees](<a href=“http://www.summer.ucla.edu/fees/fees.htm]Fees-Fees”>http://www.summer.ucla.edu/fees/fees.htm)</p>
<p>WInter/Fall/Spring are located here</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/fees/undergradgradfees08-09.pdf[/url]”>http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/fees/undergradgradfees08-09.pdf</a></p>
<p>These terms have total mandatory fees as you are EXPECTED to be a full time student. </p>
<p>The long and short of it is, it will cost less to take a couple UCLA classes in the summer than a full semester in the Winter/Spring or Fall. However it is even cheaper to take CC classes over summer. So try to make the best decision for you. I’d maybe talk with your parents to, and see how they think you should take it. Also high school teachers make great resources as well.</p>
<p>yes I am speaking of all lower division as well. I have personally not taken lower division courses at UC’s, but I have attend many of lectures with friends and they do not seem much different except the size. Most of the CC classes are 25-40 students whereas the UC classes are often 150+. Anyway - hopefully someone can answer your question with better advice</p>
<p>Oh some summer fees are $173 a unit if I attend UCLA as a freshman right? I am thinking of attending UCLA during summer (if I choose to go UCLA as a freshman) to graduate early since it looks like its cheaper to take few classes in summer.</p>
<p>Regardless I will definitely be taking CC classes this summer. Do I still count as a high school student (any be exempt from cc fees) if I take it during the summer? The classes start before my high school graduation, but end after I graduate. I think I may have to call cc for this.</p>
<p>My parents want me to go UC, but I know they will struggle if they do this for me. And… I am sort of reluctant to tell my teachers I am “illegal” student. Its something that you don’t want to tell anyone. My guidance counselor knows, but she is the only adult figure who knows. Only a few of my close friends know about my status because it’s really hard for me to be open about that.</p>
<p>Your advices were great sobizzle. Thanks. </p>
<p>Is it required to take some GEs at UCLA? Or can all GEs be taken at cc?</p>
<p>““I checked the UCLA AP credit policy site and assist.org. I am pretty confident that UCLA will give me that much units, unless they have some secret unit-reduction thing that I don’t know about. It’s more like 85 assuming that I pass all my AP exams this year.””</p>
<p>You may need more detailed research as in (a) is there a cap on the total number of AP and transfer units and (b) is there a minimum on the total number of units required to be taken at UCLA. Please directly contact UCLA to ascertain the specifics instead of relying on the webpages.</p>
<p>““Are summer classes at UCLA cheaper than at winter/spring/fall quarters?””</p>
<p>Summer tuition goes by the unit and at 15 units, it is about the same as that for a regular quarter (in-state).</p>
<p>““And can I take upper division courses before getting into the major?””</p>
<p>Only if those courses are available during the summer sessions. Which is why you need to plan ahead, because most upper-division major courses are usually offered during the regular quarters. You use the summer sessions to fill-up the rest of the required units.</p>
<p>““And can I take upper division courses before getting into the major?””</p>
<p>I probably have misread this question in the above message as being linked to summer sessions. Yes, you may, but students in the major have priority enrollment and there may or may not be enough space to accomodate students outside the major.</p>
<p>that’s a good list of colleges that you got into, and it clearly shows that u worked towards them…</p>
<p>u’ve earned them, and you clearly deserve them… take out some private student loans on yourself and have ur parents cosign… promise to pay them back. u won’t get a chance like this again. i gave up going to Boston U for financial situations and i regret it 100%. don’t live a life of regret for all that u will miss. money is money. it goes and it comes. chances like these only come once. </p>
<p>choice is yours.</p>
<p>Even hearing your reasons, I still recommend you go to UCLA. There are always ways to cut the costs a little; just be ready to work very hard. I really don’t mean to preach, but it’s just from personal experience that I can say: If you want something badly enough, you will do anything you can for it because it will FOR SURE be worth it in the end. </p>
<p>You say that you still have a year’s worth of classes to take at a CC. Either take them in the summer or online. Just plan your classes VERY CAREFULLY (cannot stress this enough). Because of budget problems, many classes are being canceled and only offered at a certain time of the year so do not overlook this.
1.) Online classes- I took online classes when I was at a 4 year before I made the choice of going to a CC. Obviously, there are limits to the type of online classes available, but it can definitely help with some G.E.'s. However, if you choose to take online classes, it WILL NOT be a walk in the park, esp. in addition to a UCLA course load. It’s almost all busy work so be very careful of deadlines. It was just a hassle because for example, right now, I have one class give quizzes in a specific duration of time. So every Friday afternoon, I have to set aside 3 hours for a quiz. It’s more of a hassle for me now because I’m studying abroad and have to adjust for time differences so I basically take it every (very early) Saturday morning. Most classes will give you a week to take it, but some classes can be strict. Just make sure to read the syllabus and manage your time well.
2.) Summer classes- Petition early on to exceed credits so you can take more classes in the summer, and start taking classes this coming summer.</p>
<p>You asked this on the first page (sorry, this reply is a little late), but yes. You will get the same degree as any other UCLA student. You will not be disadvantaged at jobs/grad school if you maintain a good GPA at UCLA. It’s your decision at the end, but I really think you should take this chance. Just make every cent worth it! You can do it! =)</p>
<p>Confidentiality, I am not sure that you can apply AP credits to meet the 60 unit requirement to transfer from a community college. You will need to find out if this is possible. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, you can definitely use AP credits to fulfill your 60 units at a cc.</p>