My D2 is devasted that her top4 schools have not accepted her. She’s on the waitlist for 2. Back up plans are out of state schools, and good schools with less of a reputation for her major. She’s very specific of what major she wants, which schools to graduate from as she already works in her field. Another consideration is to work hard at community then transfer to one of her 4. She has two issues with this choice - what to say to people (especially her very competitive school mates) about why “she ended up at community” and that it means she stays home. She was looking forward to getting away from us to a dorm! I think community college then transfer is a great idea, she’ll get her degree from where she wants as well as have that second chance instead of “settling” for a school and degree she didn’t really want. What do you think? What else can I say to her other than keep your head up, what others say doesn’t matter, it’s your life.
Can she go to one of the four year schools and then transfer (if that is even possible). What are the top schools? Do they take transfers?
I have read articles where they say it is better to be a big fish in a little pond, than a little fish in a big pond. Go to one of the other schools and be a star.
This is a brutal time, and I feel for your daughter. There is no shame in going the cc/transfer route. It may not have been her first option, but what she decides is best for her is no one’s business. She is still waiting for decisions on other schools, so don’t jump to conclusions yet. We always told our kids during this grueling time in their lives that we were proud of them no matter where they went. And they knew we meant it. Keep perspective, the myopic intensity at this time is fleeting, but it will pass. It always does.
It’s tough to see our kids in pain and frustration, especially over something that from our eyes and life experience is just not a big deal! She’s already said she doesn’t want to go to the other schools - but on the other she is ashamed about the cc route. Where we are from, it seems as though not getting into a UC is some kind of failure, while it certainly is not! That shame may prevent her from taking a route that at the end will be a choice of which she could be very proud!
We need to look into if that’s feasible or even reasonable as our CC have a pathways to UCs. The top school she considered are UCs and one CSU, and they do take transfers.
If she already works in her field:
Some people get into their top choice by working there and taking classes for free. With a HS education, at best that would be a lab tech or research assistant. I went that route in graduate school, but still the pay was miserable - but tuition for a class or two was free. Could she contact the department she was interested in, and see if she could work there for a time, long enough to get tuition benefits (mine were immediate, some places still are but some are not - even so, they might require a minimum employment time to not have to pay back).
If she is set on her major, will the CC actually help her get there? Transferring CC credits can be tricky unless there is an agreement (in our state, all our state colleges must accept CC credits, but private colleges can vary a lot).
Would she consider working for a year full-time and reapplying a stronger candidate? Any thoughts on how she could become a stronger candidate?
If Davis is one of her choices, have her look into the Davis West housing and also the Sac. City CC Branch that is located on the Davis campus. From what I understand the student apartments in West Campus are available to the Sac City college students. Also, take a look at UC Davis extension courses–it appears that if there is room in a course and the professor approves it then non-admitted students can enroll. Not sure if this impacts tag…so should check with Davis counselor regarding this as an option. If this works this could be a very economical way to transfer and still have the chance to live on campus.
Rhandco - are you saying perhaps not going to any school then reapplying as a freshman? That something to consider that we haven’t! Maybe retake SAT exams, do research where she works…lots to think about.
We have a relative in this field - when they get grants, the pay is fine, and when they don’t they are lucky if they get to keep their jobs! As a parent, I often want to say, go be an accountant! Don’t go into a field that pay is based on research grants!
Several local CC have pathways to her first school, but no guarantees.
Thank you cookiemomster1
I really appreciate the alternatives that you all have shared!
Has she heard from all of her schools? If not…try to be patient and wait until she has. Then consider her options.
I like what I saw another person say in a similar thread - I believe in the power of ice cream. Whatever you say won’t matter, but what will matter is that your daughter knows you love and support her regardless as to admission decisions outcomes.
I have seen more and more international students transferring from a CC to UMich in the last few years. It is getting popular to take this route as the CoA for universities are getting higher and higher. It is indeed a smart way to get educated.
What is her major and career goal?
Rankings rarely make or break someone’s career goals…unless maybe a Wall Street job, which doesn’t sound like the case here.
If short-term embarrassment is the issue, then go to another 4 year, leave after the first year, go to a CC, then TAG to the desired UC. You don’t have to do BOTH years at the CC…you can do just the second year.
If she’s a California girl looking to transfer to a UC, California community college would be a good choice. All the UCs take a lot of transfers from community college, the transfer articulations are already set up, and the community colleges have lots of knowledge about transferring and transfer counselors. And she/you would save a ton of money. If she did well at community college, there would be a place for her at a UC.
She can also go to another 4 year college then transfer after 1 year.
@thumper1 yes to the 4 she wanted to go to, all in state and in locations. Still waiting on another csu and a couple of religious ones that she for sure doesn’t want to go even if accepted.
@mom2collegekids major biology, career goal become a researcher in a specific field of biology. As for going to a 4 year then to a cc then apply to transfer seems like a lot of work to save face.
@"Cardinal Fang" from what we can see it sounds like cc to UC is a better choice, especially since the path has been created and she has a second chance to get the degree from the choice school, work harder to be a more desirable applicant. I like the financial aspect too. (I have another in college now)
The stigma of “just a cc” should pass. There’s so much of that among her peers and their parents, that they worked too hard or that there is some awful social stigma to be at a CC first especially at her ultra competitive high school. I think she will be happier in the long run getting a degree from her top choices than one of the “safety” schools where it was easier to get in as a freshman.
@JoanneB no so can’t, the UCs are set up to take Jr level transfers only and Calif CC students have priority and TAG agreements.
She can look at http://www.assist.org to check course articulation for CCs to UCs and CSUs. UCs and CSUs take a many junior level transfer students from CCs.
Students who started college at CCs:
http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2011/05/10/medalist2011/ / http://sociology.fas.harvard.edu/people/aaron-benavidez
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/at-just-14-ucla-math-student-moshe-229359 / http://www.moshekai.com/Pages/Academics/Academics.htm
@ucbalumnus thank you for the links! Very helpful.