Slow paced 4.0 gpa: How do Admissions folk view this?

(apologies: I meant to post this under “Transfers,” not just UC Transfers)

My previously homeschooled son has maintained a 4.0 gpa through 46 units at his Calif. CC, but he’s taken three years (six semesters) so far to get to that point.

His slower pace is partly due to LDs and partly because it’s super important to him to master 100% of the course content. He spends gobs of time studying–something he seems to truly love–and his professors love him (many offers to write LORs, etc.).

This semester, he’s managing 11 units just fine, so hopefully he’ll be on a full-time academic pace by next semester. But I’m wondering how Admissions officers (at both public and private colleges) might judge his slower pace these past three years. Or does it not matter as long as he completes all the requirements for the IGETC, TAG or Associates degree, or whichever plan he follows before transferring?

For what it’s worth, he just took his first SAT and scored 1580, with 800 in Math. So, high potential + serious work ethic, but at a slower pace. Will Admission folk see his potential or judge his slower pace as a negative?

p.s. I realize SAT scores are not often necessary after three years of CC; he took the SAT because two private colleges told us they’d need a score due to his unconventional K-12 background.

Thanks!

I’m not sure how non-UC schools will view this, but UC’s don’t care - the fact that he’s gotten straight A’s shows that he can handle the material. It’s not uncommon for students to take three years or longer in CC but still be accepted to great programs.

Assuming he will have completed his GE’s and major prerequisites, I think he’s sure to be accepted at any of the UC’s he applies to.

3 years is still somewhat normal. As long as he’s taking at least 3 classes/semester, I don’t think there will be any issues.

When the UC might raise an eyebrow is when a student is taking only 1-2 classes per semester and it takes them 4-5 years at the CC before transferring.

Thanks @goldencub and @alicantekid

Since he was basically in “exploratory” mode the first 2-3 semesters (being that it was his first time in any school) and he is now on a STEM path, it will indeed take him another 1.5 years to fulfil GE and prereq’s for his major if he goes to a UC.

I’d love to see him transfer sooner and have the opportunity to take more courses in a more traditional collegiate atmosphere if that were possible, but it doesn’t look feasible unless he were to go out of state ($$). He’s very thrifty and down to Earth, so he’s fine staying at CC awhile longer. But he visited a couple UCs last week and I think that triggered his desire for a deeper intellectual experience (sooner rather than later). Thanks for your input!

Hello! I went through a similar experience, and can hopefully offer some insight. This is my fifth year at my CCC due to various reasons (transitioned from homeschool as well, had medical problems that made me drop out for a bit, switched majors) so I was also worried if they would take my time spent into consideration, but all of the counselors I’ve talked to have said that it doesn’t matter as long as you finish IGETC and the major prereqs. I have maintained a 3.94 GPA and will have over 100 units by the end of this semester, and I was recently admitted to UCSB.
As long as he isn’t only taking one or two classes a semester, it should be fine. STEM majors tend to take more time at community college anyways, and it’s very important to maintain a good GPA because many of them are quite competitive.

thanks so much @ohbeebee and congrats on your UCSB acceptance! Good luck to you!