Should I aim to complete (two) AA degrees before transferring or an AA-T degree?

Transfer Students
1

I’m currently attending a CC for one year before transferring to a UC and was wondering are there any benefits to obtaining two AA degrees while at a CC? Some helpful background information would be that I participated in an Early Start program in high school so I took college classes and received college credit during my four years in high school. I managed to finish a majority of my IGETC except two classes/six credits so I opted to attend a CC for one year while I finish those missing classes. More than likely I’ll be done with my IGETC by this Fall and I’ll be halfway done with requirements for an AA degree and I was wondering if I should pursue a second AA degree? From what I read online and from counselors is that only the AA-T degree will benefit me in admission to a UC and an AA degree is generally useless if I plan to obtain a BS degree since many suggest that it serves no purpose except job opportunities. So I guess the real question is if I should aim for an AA-T degree or just finish up my AA degree? The only reason I really wanted another AA degree was because of the classes and the chance it might help in my admissions because I don’t want to seem lazy during my time at a CC. It probably makes more sense to just take the classes for the hell of it than do it for another degree since I do have the time to take classes for me.

Sorry if this came out confusing, I’ve been researching for hours.

Thanks

2

You really don’t need any AA degree to transfer, although how you want to proceed is a personal choice. They may give you an extra brownie point, as they note it in the things they look at, although I have not seen it to be much of a factor. I wouldn’t go out of my way, let’s put it that way.

3

Yea, that’s what I was thinking since AA degrees seem to be for people who want to work after obtaining it. I didn’t want to seem like I was a slacker for a year since the amount of classes I needed to finish my IGETC and AA degree could be finished by fall semester if I tried. However, I’m probably going to take a few extra courses each semester and work so I don’t appear lazy. But should I aim for an AA-T degree or just stick to the normal AA degree? My counselor told me only the AA-T degree has any kind of weight in admissions and that a regular AA degree really didn’t have any sort of influence.

Thanks

4

I don’t know. My daughter got into both UCB and UCLA without either. I thought the AA-T was more for CSU. I really don’t think the UCs will care but if you are applying to a CSU then I would go with the AA-T. Someone else might have more to add to this. Sorry I couldn’t be more hopeful.