<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I’m new to this site but I thought I’d see if you guys can help me out. I have been going to a C.C since June of last year and I will have 21 transferable units completed by the end of this spring semester. I plan on transferring to UCLA in the fall of 2010 for my B.A in International Development Studies. However, I’m having some trouble because I currently live about 60 miles away from L.A right now and I might be moving this semester to finish my classes at SMC. The place I’m living at right now allows me to live for free and pursue my education full time, but if I move by SMC I will have to get a full time job to support myself and I will basically be out there on my own, (I’m 20 years old by the way). I was wondering if it would be a bad idea for me to have a full time job with responsibilities while taking a heavy course load at school? I’m also worried that I will not be able to get a job if I move because of the economy. The most important thing for me is school so something is telling me to stay, but I’m also weary because only two people got accepted to UCLA from my current C.C last year! </p>
<p>Also, for the major I want at UCLA, I have to complete a minimum of six preparatory courses by the end of spring 2010 to be considered. </p>
<p>Prerequisites I need for my major:</p>
<li>Geography 102 (These are in progress)</li>
<li><p>Political Science 107</p></li>
<li><p>Spanish 101 (I will take this summer)</p></li>
<li><p>Economics 101 (I will take these this fall when I apply)</p></li>
<li><p>Spanish 102 </p></li>
<li><p>Anthropology 102 </p></li>
<li><p>Spanish 103 (I will take these in winter 2010)</p></li>
<li><p>Sociology 101 </p></li>
<li><p>Spanish 104 (I will take in spring 2010)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So I will apply when I have 3 prerequisites completed and 3 in progress? Do you guys think I would be accepted If I apply this November? I’m worried that I will not have enough courses completed.</p>
<p>Currently my GPA is at 3.5 overall and my IGETC GPA is 3.8. I plan on joining a few clubs this semester as well, but I’m just worried that if I stay where I’m living right now I will not be accepted. School is my number one priority and life without a job sucks, but I really want to see myself at UCLA in 2010. It’s my number one goal. I just need some advice…what would you guys do? Oh and I have had a job before when I was attending school…I was a receptionist and school definitely went on the back burner. I don’t want that to happen again. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for any help!!</p>
<p>That’s a tough choice to make. 
</p>
<p>The way I see it, unless you apply with TAP it will make a difference in your UCLA application, and even then you stand the chance of not being accepted. </p>
<p>In today’s economy, and especially here in SoCal, I can tell you it’s not easy getting job. Unless you plan on working at a fast food place (not saying it’s bad, but you know) but even then it can be stressful, especially if you’re taking a full-time units AND especially for UCLA, when you have to have top notch grades. Also, the ECs are important (especially since you’re a transfer). My suggestion is to try your hardest, so far I think you’re doing great, and to stick with it…my motto is that everything happens for a reason…but that’s just me! I would seriously not be able to take all my full units and work, that would be…so difficult for me. >__<;;</p>
<p>Whatever you decide, best of luck and if you have any more questions…we’re here! [:</p>
<p>Good luck and really think about your options!</p>
<p>Just a question, where do do you live currently? ( I’m going to guess the Inland Empire? )
Anyways, have you considered going to a CC closer to where you live? Commuting 120 miles for school seems a bit much. All of the following schools are members of UCLA’s TAP program which has high rates of transfer to UCLA:</p>
<p>[UCLA</a> Undergrad Admissions: Transfer Alliance Program](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/ADM_CCO/tap.htm]UCLA”>UCLA Transfer Alliance Program | UCLA Undergraduate Admission)</p>
<p>you can take online classes through SMC! A variety of classes are offered, and if a class is not offered you can take it at your local CC. So that way you’re transcripts will say SMC. I think its something worth looking into.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t commute that far! I would move to Santa Monica before I attended SMC, that’s why I would have to get a job full time to support myself out there, plus go to school full time. I have considered going to school where I live and I’m doing that now, I’m just worried that If I get straight A’s where I’m at UCLA still might not accept me. My school doesn’t offer TAP.</p>
<p>Lilaterila
I think you are really brave for choosing a such difficult life for yourself. But I think you need to consider these three points below before you make your final decision.
- It is really really difficult(it is impossible for me) to get straight A’s when you take 15+ units courses and also have a full-time job at the same time. So if your gpa goes down, everything you do in SMC is not worthy any more.</p>
<p>2) In order to get into UCLA, the most important things are your gpa and the completion of your prerequisites. It is very nice to go to a cc with TAP program, but the fact is that thousands of transfer students go to UCLA every year without TAP.</p>
<p>3) If your current CC is not the best fit for you, then I think you can choose a better cc around where you live, as long as that cc has a higher accepted rate to UCLA. I also drive a long way to school every day… =. =</p>
<p>At the end, I want to say everything is stiil up to you. I really admire your bravery. I am wishing you all the good luck. Hopefully you can make the right choice for yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your reply’s. I’m thinking that I should just stay where I’m at and attend San Bernardino Valley College instead. They have TAP and it’s about 40 miles away from where I live. The drive isn’t that bad I guess. : )</p>