<p>Hi, I am currently a Senior in high school who is freaking out. I have 3.5ish GPA and my SAT score is 1680, although I will probably improve that score on the November 5th test date. I have no idea where to go or what to do. I live in San Diego, but I don't really want to go to SDSU or UCSD. I am leaning heavily towards something like psychology, or perhaps something to do with humanities. No Science or Math!!! I am also a exceptional listener, reader, and writer (journalism?). I am very creative, and also extremely sensitive to thoughts and emotions. I guess I would consider myself somewhat of a compassionate, artistic, and intellectual hippie. I would love to get into a UC school like Berkeley or Santa Cruz. I should also mention that my dad has some military disability thing to help a great deal with finances. The dilemma I face has to do with my chances of getting into a prestigious UC school with only a 3.5 and lets say an 1800 (expected) SAT score. Should I just slow down and go to a junior college or community college? I would have more time to knock out prerequisites and to discover my ideal career path, but could I transfer to a UC school such as Berkeley? Is a psychology major worth pursuing? What should I do? I really am smart deep down I swear but in a special way. Also part of the reason I do not have too high of a GPA is due to a couple months of missed school due 12+ surgeries under anesthesia for complications from a pilonidal cyst surgery. I am not making excuses but please consider all these thing and please help me!!! I NEED GUIDANCE</p>
<p>It’s true that Berkeley is a “reach” for you. Santa Cruz less so, and it may be a better fit for an “intellectual hippie” anyway. (Have you seen the campus? It has a very specific atmosphere, some love it, others hate it. You should check it out.) </p>
<p>With good grades from a community college, you can certainly transfer to one of the UCs, including Berkeley. </p>
<p>No one can tell you if psychology is “worth” pursuing. It’s a little bit like being an English major: a popular major, but relatively few psych grads go on into the field of psychology just as relatively few English majors end up English teachers. Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go into psychology if you decide that’s your passion. </p>
<p>You seem to be hung up a bit on prestige. Is there a reason why you won’t consider any of the Cal state campuses?</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! And for State schools, I don’t really get a sense that the students get the same foundation for a good paying career that UC schools offer. I mean, there aren’t as many psychologists, doctors, lawyers, scientists or teachers that come from Cal State schools. I am not trying to sound condescending, but I would rather go to community college for two years, and then transfer to UC than go to SDSU and be stuck there.</p>
<p>Fair enough, all of us have our dreams, and yours are the UCs. However, keep in mind that most careers in psychology require a graduate degree. You could certainly go to a CSU, do very very well there, and get your Master’s (or whatever) at a UC. Just a thought.</p>
<p>That’s a really good idea! But do UC schools frown upon junior college transfers more than state transfers? Or does it even matter if as long as I get good grades?</p>