<p>My parents are presenting some serious resistance to what I want to do. I want to try to get a gauranteed tranfer to UCLA/UCB out of UC Merced in one year. They think I'll isolate myself from everyone else trying to get it done in one year and lose the college experience. They're also concerned I won't get the credits and be stuck there for another year or destroy my gpa and be stuck there for four years and basically flip out if either of things happen. However, my parent basically said "no, stop being so childish pick something thats actually possible." I really want to try the one year plan. Its the only situation that I can really tolerate in my mind.
I don't know what to do.</p>
<p>I'm on the East Coast, so I know little about the CA schools or that program. </p>
<p>But, as a parent, I feel that decisions about college are up to the kids. At 18, you are old enough to learn from your own mistakes (IF, in fact, as they fear, it turns out to be one, maybe it won't be and everything will work out!). Parents inform the child of how much money, if any, they are willing to contribute, then the child makes an informed decision. It's fine to offer advice and opinions, but the decision ultimately rests with the child. </p>
<p>They are worried that you'll "flip out" if your plans don't work out. Try reassuring them that, if things don't go as planned, you'll take responsibility for your decision and the consequences and they won't hear any whining from you. That's basically the crux of the matter...if you want to make your own decision, you take full responsibility for it and live with it.</p>
<p>Daniel,
Why do you need your parents' permission to try to get the guaranteed transfer? Is there a way that you could do this without their OK?</p>
<p>Daniel, what are your other alternatives? What do they believe is more realistic?</p>
<p>Do your parents understand it's a real program? <a href="http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=24081%5B/url%5D">http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=24081</a>
Maybe if they realized it's an official program they would be more happier.</p>
<p>From what I hear of the UC guarantee transfer plan you wouldn't be the only one on campus doing that. It's very likely you'll meet up with other students doing the same thing, so even if you are looking ahead, I bet you will bond with other students on the same 4 year transfer path you are looking at. I would point this out to your parents to counter the isolations worries.</p>
<p>If that's what you really want to do, then go for it, but in my opinion there are better ways to get to UCLA and Cal, albiet they aren't "gauranteed" but it's pretty close ;). Obviously going to a CC near your house (where you're comfortable and can study, sleep, etc..) and then applying for a transfer is an option. That seems better to me, only because I wouldn't want to move away to college...to go to Merced, I'd rather stay at home and do well in school and transfer in a year (or two).</p>
<p>"Daniel, what are your other alternatives? What do they believe is more realistic?"</p>
<p>They think a one year tranfer is impossible and unrealistic.</p>
<p>They want me to choose from a two year transfer, Davis, UCSB, and Irvine and not even try for the one year transfer.</p>
<p>You know, once you are in college, under federal law, you are not obligated to disclose anything to you parents if you don't want to- grades,major, GPA, etc. Obviously this may cause some problems for your relationship, but I see no reason not to try for the 1 year transfer, as long as it does not prevent you from the 2 year option. Is the total cost of attendance at UCLA a factor in their resistance? It is more expensive to live in LA.</p>
<p>No, I plan to live on campus so Merced cost = UCLA cost(that really sucks).
Technically, I could do that but it would be kinda hard to get the community college summer school classes I need without telling them.</p>
<p>Why? I don't understand. You can go and sign up yourself for CC summer classes, or do they want you to work during summer instead of taking any classes? If that is the case, then prove to them that you can exceed their expectations by doing both well .</p>
<p>Because they have to pay for each class and they'll ask "Why are you taking so many classes?"</p>
<p>I don't understand why you want to rush though the program in one year instead of the regular two years.</p>
<p>Why dont you just stay there? Going there with an attitude that your going to transfer to a "better" place won't make you any friends.</p>
<p>The program says you must spent first 2 yrs at Merced and transfer is for 1 of 4 campuses, not just ucla,ucb. Also this guarantee program for 1000 students but didn't say phase over how many years. Given entire enrollment of about 1300, it is not possible that it will put all 1000 students on transfer track in a single year. Those are the cards you are dealt with, and that's what your parents are trying to tell you. Can you handle it if things don't turn out in 2 years? Perhaps the close bonds you forged with profs and students in small tied-knit campus will have made that unimportant and you rose above the need to have to transfer out. Only you can answer that.</p>
<p>I am disappointmented at MenloParkMom for telling students that they can cut off their parents from decisions once they are in school. That is a wrong way to advice our youngs. Parents are important partners to your education. They fund your education and have the life experience to warn you about things that may not be in your best interests.</p>
<p>Uh, I don't know what program you're looking at but it isn't mine.</p>
<p>Just go to a CC and transfer, it would make more sense than to go move away to somewhere you don't like..</p>
<p>I believe I would hate that even more. My local cc is terrible.</p>
<p>Well, atleast you save money :). Looks like you've got your heart set on this one program, even though people around you dont belive it's the best. Good luck with the transfer!</p>
<p>He wants to do the program in half the time, one year instead of two. That is what his parents are concerned about, not the program itself.</p>