<p>Hi everyone!!</p>
<p>I'm a California Community College Student with a 4.0 after my first year. Like many readers of this website, I want to transfer to UC! I was wondering if it would be better to have a Bachelor's degree from UCLA or a Masters degree? And also if going to CSU Chico is a good choice for undergraduate study? The major I'm going into is impacted in both places and has high requirements. Mainly though is the time and cost. </p>
<p>** I can transfer to UCLA's Bachelor's program from a California Community College in 3 years and use up the time for my Cal Grant + another financial aid program I have.** I'd be at UCLA though! -
Cons: I Would be at Community College for 2 years longer than other option, would only have a Bachelor's,The Program at UCLA undergrad is 3 years while grad is 2,+ use up Cal Grant + other aid at CC, I would pay $12K a year for 3 years
*Pros:*Stronger science+ math background at CC (but may not be applicable/useable in field), immediate foot in door to UCLA's affiliates, a strong undergrad education/degree, be able to move up at CC + gain more faculty connections there for recommendations</p>
<p>OR I can theoretically transfer after this year (my 2nd) to CSU Chico, get a Bachelor's in 2 1/2 years (maybe take extra classes in research, ect as needed for masters), work for a year, and apply for the Master's program at UCLA. -
Cons: Still have to pay $14,000 Tuition and Fees per year for 2 years for Grad, Not sure what UCLA thinks about CSU Chico's programs (Though for one of the classes needed for the master's, it has classes articulated from Chico), I'd Lose my work-study job at CC when go to CSU Chico, and have a difficult spring semester before transfer (Microbiology, Organic Chem and 3 units other, heard these were the most difficult science classes)
Pros: Have a Masters from UCLA, have 6 years education instead of 4 (not including extra G.E., pre-req time for other option), Have work experience and money saved from it, The same amount of time as it would take to get Bachelor's, Would have Bachelor's for practically free with financial aid, opportunities to specialize, connections to UCLA affiliates,</p>
<p>Any help is appreciated! This question has been bugging me for a REALLY long time!!
Another important information is that I'm a first generation college student and my dream is to help people. I help with a family member's health and finances, and right now they depend on me to have financial aid/income. I'm involved on the campus and in the community, volunteering and I serve in officer roles. Thanks for your time in reading/helping!!</p>
<p>CSU Chico has a very low two year graduation rate for transfer students. You should not assume that it’ll take less time to finish your bachelor’s there than at UCLA. True, it’s hard to get classes at all UC’s these days…but it’s probably a lot worse at CSU’s.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying!! </p>
<p>That’s a good point!!! I looked on their website and it looks like “disabled, students who are continuing students, students who are continuing and have a high GPA, and veterans, all would have priority registration” that I wouldn’t qualify for. At my community college I have priority registration and would keep it because I am employed at the college!</p>
<p>I would be able to obtain all the classes I need for UCLA (3 more bio- Zoology, Botany, Cell and Molecular; 3 more chem: Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem 2, Organic for science majors; test out of a College Alg., take Trig, Calc 1). My IGETC will be complete for sure by the end of this year, so I don’t know what classes I would take with the pre-reqs for 2 years , I guess minor in something?
Does it matter that my major would be Nursing??</p>
<p>Would having a Bachelor’s from Chico be that bad in other areas of Cal? I know in this local area their nursing school is well respected! It seems most graduates here stay locally though. Also, it is costly for me to use financial aid for community college pre-reqs and not a 4 year degree (which I would receive at CSU).</p>
<p>I do see some people at my CC who are taking longer time there to complete pre-reqs for UC. Some even saying it will take them 3 more years for Cal Berkeley!!! Is there a reason why they want to have a BA in 7 years and a masters in almost 10 (9)? For their fields they need a masters for employment. They could go to any CSU and complete their BA and transfer to UC for their master’s.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at some medical departments in SoCal, and it looks like a UC/or other high level college degree from either Bachelor’s or Masters balances out the degree from state! Though I haven’t seen any from Chico state yet, mostly they are from other CSUs. (many Graduates from Chico seem to stay in the area)</p>
<p>UCLA will be more difficult than a CSU. With that said, there is no comparison between the two. That isn’t to say that Chico is a bad school, only that UCLA is a great one. UCLA is consistently ranked as one of the best schools in the nation on every kind of ranking. USN puts it at #25 in the nation. CSU Chico is not even ranked. Unless you have personal or financial reasons for picking Chico, I’m not sure why you (or anyone else) wouldn’t pick UCLA. It has some the best programs in the country and is one of the biggest spenders on research, particularly in science. UCLA has one of the best career and Alumni networks in the country as well. There are so many research and internship opportunities. To be honest with you, many Masters programs (fairly or unfairly) are biased towards high ranked schools becuase they perceive those students to have received a better and more rigorous education. </p>
<p>Why are you using you Cal grant for the CC? Save it up for the UC/CSU.</p>
<p>*UCLA will be more difficult than a CSU. With that said, there is no comparison between the two. That isn’t to say that Chico is a bad school, only that UCLA is a great one. UCLA is consistently ranked as one of the best schools in the nation on every kind of ranking. USN puts it at #25 in the nation. CSU Chico is not even ranked. Unless you have personal or financial reasons for picking Chico, I’m not sure why you (or anyone else) wouldn’t pick UCLA. It has some the best programs in the country and is one of the biggest spenders on research, particularly in science. UCLA has one of the best career and Alumni networks in the country as well. There are so many research and internship opportunities. To be honest with you, many Masters programs (fairly or unfairly) are biased towards high ranked schools becuase they perceive those students to have received a better and more rigorous education.</p>
<p>Why are you using you Cal grant for the CC? Save it up for the UC/CSU*</p>
<p>Not to mention it is recognized all around the world. (Huge UCLA fan here!)</p>
<p>I would love to go there! I am though, receiving $956 a month (enrollment in classes for 2nd half of month only count - full 12 units fall and 6 units summer) for 4 years - 48 months total, after that I will not receive anything. It is a “Chapter 35” benefit. I could put it on hold, but right now I do not see that as being possible (until finances change). I pay $1100 in bills and rent minimum.</p>
<p>How do you put a hold on the Cal Grant? I have Cal Grant B if that helps.
Thanks for replying!!</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you still can, as your school probably submitted it. I think you have to go to your CCs financial aid office and tell them to not send your GPA verification form becuase you want to save it for the UC. I’m pretty sure you can do this, but like I said, it’s probably too late for the coming year unfortunately.</p>