<p>Hi, I would like to get some opinions on what my chances are for getting into schools in the UC range.
*I am a California resident. </p>
<p>9th Grade Summer:
Health Education A/A</p>
<p>9th Grade:
Honors English A/A
Honors World History A/A
Biology A/A
Basic Geometry B/B
Spanish 2: C/B
Orchestra A/A
Physical Education A/A</p>
<p>10th Grade Summer:
Chemistry B/B</p>
<p>10th Grade:
Honors English A/A
AP European History B/B
AP Environmental Science B/B
Algebra II C/C
Spanish 3 B/C
Intro to Entrepreneurship/Robotics A/A
Physical Education A/A</p>
<p>11th Grade:
AP Language and Composition A/A
AP United States History B/A
Physics B/B
Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry (FST) C/C
Spanish 4 C/C
Psychology and Counseling Principles A/A
Entrepreneurship and Robotics A/A</p>
<p>***Now taking: Film at community college/</p>
<p>12th Grade Classes:
AP Literature
AP Government/ Honors Economy
AP Comparative Government
AP Psychology
Probability and Statistics
Entrepreneurship and Robotics</p>
<p>AP SCORES:
APES 4
AP EURO 4
AP LANG 5
APUSH 4</p>
<p>ACT:
Composite: 28
English w/ writing: 29
(Essay = 9)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Robotics- President (but non-STEM major in college)
Science Club-President
Red Cross Club- President
NHS
And a whole bunch of volunteer hrs (I have gotten the President's Volunteer Service Award all 3 years) </p>
<p>So basically, I was wondering if I should just not stress about apps this year and just go the community college route then transfer. I would have 27 units by the end of this summer if I were to go to my local CC.
Thoughts? </p>
<p>No that’s stupid, UC’s are really good schools. Community colleges suck (No offense my mom went to one.) Get a full list of schools that you will apply to (About 8-11) schools. It should include about 3-4 reaches, 4-5 matches, and 1-3 safeties. You could try to transfer from an actual university to a UC. It would be a much better choice if you don’t get into one of the UC’s. </p>
<p>I mean, economically you may want to do a few applications, but if you do decide to start at a community college and transfer that can be a good money saver. Honestly, I don’t look down on those going to Community College because I’ve considered it. It’s all about finding the best place for you. If you think you may need a year or two at a junior college so you can learn the ropes and figure out other basics like living on your own and THEN transfer, then you should do it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!
@MegaMetalHead I already have a full list- but I feel like it is such a hassle when I would have such a strong start in a community college. Thanks again. </p>
<p>Community colleges do not “suck”, they can be a viable option for many students. California has one of the best higher educations systems in America (IMO) and they make it really easy to get into their UC’s and CSU’s from a CC.</p>
<p>If you can afford to go to a UC from the start, I personally think that would be a better option.</p>
<p>You can definitely get into UC’s or have a good chance I think.
You need to discuss the finances with your parents (not here online) and decide with them whether you should start at a UC or transfer, as it is better to start there while transferring is pretty feasible in calfiornia.</p>
<p>@theanaconda Thank you for the advice- in terms of selectivity of UCs which campuses should I use as a sort of reach or safety cut off? </p>
<p>calculate your UC gpa first. <a href=“GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub”>http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/</a>. I’m not too familiar with the UCs, but I know a lot of their majors (especially in engineering) are impacted. What are you looking into? I still think you should probably be able to get into some of the lower tier UCs at worst. </p>
<p>When you say it would be a better option- why? </p>
<p>^directed towards @Ctesiphon </p>
<p>Community college can be a good option for students that did not do so well in high school but still want to go to a good university. Transfer applicants only have their community college grades on their transcript. They can also be a good “bridge” between high school and university, going from the hand-holding atmosphere of high school to the independent nature of college. Some kids just aren’t ready to go far from home and local CCs can provide local education for them. Students that don’t qualify for much need-based aid can go to a CC for 2 years and then a university for the last 2, getting the same degree but with much less money out of your pocket.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, most transfer students are considered on a different spectrum of financial aid (notably merit-based), so good HS students who can qualify for merit awards at many universities will be losing out on those if they decide to go to CC.</p>
<p>There are many reasons why one may decide CC is right for them, and you may consider it right for you. California has one of the best transfer systems in America IMO, because of the ease in applying to many UCs / CSUs. Many good CC students find their way into UCLA, UCB, UCSD easily. </p>