<p>Hey everyone, I'm going to CC soon with hopes of transferring to UCLA to get a psychology major. Assist.com says I will need to take either physics or chem to complete the IGETC as well as the specific requirements for psych. So which is easier at CC? Both are equally difficult for me (in high school). I'd say chem is a bit more difficult, but would it be better to prepare me for psychology? Nevertheless, I will need a good grade (A or B) to get a high GPA to get into UCLA. So which is easier to get a good grade in? At community college?</p>
<p>take physics!!! it was super easy, at least to me. In my opinion waaayyy easier than chem. I took chem in hs too, I hated that ish. and make sure you find a good professor on ratemyprofessordotcom. My professor let us use formula sheets on the tests! we never had to memorize anything! it was so easy. plus, for extra credit we got to go to JPL and it was really fun!</p>
<p>Depends on what you want to do. If you want to go into clinical psychology or med school, take chemistry. </p>
<p>Some ppl hate physics. They can’t do models and stuff. Chemistry is easier than physics IMO. </p>
<p>But then again I’m an engineering student and liked both!</p>
<p>I’m also planning to major in psychology, and I’d definetely recommend taking chemistry. Physics is so irrelevant to psychology, while many things in psychology can relate to chemistry. And don’t let your experience with high school chemistry sway you away from a college level chemistry course. I loathed and did horrible in high school chemistry, but absolutely loved it at my CCC. Just find a good teacher on ratemyprofessors.com as uchappytrain stated and you should do alright.</p>
<p>Depending on the subfield you’ll want to specialize in, one or the other might be more useful to you. Unless you’re going into something like biophysics, chemistry is going to be much more useful to you and you’re likely to take several chemistry courses at UCLA after you transfer. I would say you might as well start taking as many transferable classes as you can that are required for your degree at UCLA. There are not that many pre-reqs for psych at UCLA so you should have plenty of time to get other lower division courses out of the way, so that you look more motivated and competitive than other applicants. As far as what is harder, there are too many variables that go into that to give you a definitive answer. As several people have already suggested, how difficult a course seems ultimately comes down to the quality of your professor and your interest and affinity for learning the subject. There’s no straight answer. When I firsted started CC I took a calculus based mechanics courses and general chemistry. I ended up getting an A in Chemistry, but withdrew from the mechanics course because the professor didn’t convey the material all that well. At the time I thought chemistry was much easier than physics based on my personal experience. I’ve since repeated that physics course and got an A and now I’m finishing up Organic Chemistry and it’s been a real challenge for me, even though I had a great ochem professor. Your experience is going to vary depending where you take a course, who you take it with, and how prepared for and how much you enjoy the subject. My advice would be don’t look for the “easiest” route, be efficient and take courses that benefit you in the future first. That said if you’re really struggling with a course for whatever reason don’t be afraid to drop it and take it again with another professor or at a time when you’ve taken other courses that better prepare you for it. Remember, you’re not just taking courses to transfer to your desired school, you’re building your academic foundation to be successful once you transfer. If you come out of CC with a perfect 4.0 having taken the easiest route possible, you might be in for a huge awakening once you transfer.</p>
<p>^^ This</p>
<p>That was probably one of the best answers I have read on this site!</p>
<p>@jasonSkim Thanks! You are so right about it being relevant to psych. And I do like the pace, structure, and independence of college classes (Taking Poli-Sci 101 and 102 right now). As a psych major transfer do have any little tips for me?</p>
<p>@dilapidatedmind Wow. A lot of information right there! Thanks a ton! “you’re building your academic foundation to be successful” <----This is what its all about. Even if chem scares the pants off of me I should still strive to do my best. And it is soooo much more relevant to psych. Thank you so much you seriously motivated me :D</p>
<p>@uchappytrain Hey thanks!! It think I’m going to go for physics based on what people are saying about its importance in psychology. I know for a fact I’ll use ratemyprof to my advantage.</p>
<p>@Lookin4ward Yeah, I think chem is where its at for me. Btw how is engineering? I keep hearing thats like the best degree to get career-wise. I can’t help but consider it, even though I’m leaning more to social sciences right now.</p>
<p>@gettinthatfosho I’m awaiting acceptance letters for this coming fall term, so I’m not exactly a transfer yet and I don’t have much help to offer. Only thing I can say is keep your GPA as high as possible and do every pre-req course possible. Psychology really is competitive now more than ever (avg. GPA admitted to UCLA last year was 3.81!). I’d also recommend taking sociology and child development if you’re really looking to get easy A’s like I was because a lot of the same material is covered and they are just as relevant to psychology as chemistry, if not more. (and they cover part of your IGETC)</p>
<p>@jasonSkim Very cool. Thanks a ton. Best of luck, man!!!</p>
<p>I received a C in high school chemistry but received a solid A in chemistry at community college. Analyze what your difficulties were in high school and if you can focus and motivate yourself it should be no problem. </p>
<p>I enjoy physics much more than chemistry though. I feel like physics involves more pure logic and reasoning while a lot of things in chemistry were based on empirical evidence I simply had to believe. But for a psych major it seems that chemistry would be more relevant to your field. Off the top of my head I can picture you discussing medicine and it would help to have some basic understanding of chemical processes.</p>
<p>Engineering has the best jobs prospects by far. But its not easy. I always like numbers and solving problems so its right up my alley. </p>
<p>I don’t mind spending hours doing my homework problems lol, I think its fun.
<em>the life of an engineer</em></p>