<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>I'm at a crossroads here..</p>
<p>I am currently studying studio arts at a community college. I would like to transfer to a UC but I was stumbling about for awhile and now am behind in UC-transferable units. I have 20.5 and need 39.5 more units to transfer. I would need to take 20 units per semester to be able to attend Fall 2014. I have been taking 16 units per semester and the workload is really manageable. </p>
<p>My workload was worse in my high school honors program but I would like to make sure it is the right thing to do. </p>
<p>My other option is to take an extra year at my CC to prepare to transfer. </p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>What is your gpa like? Study habits? If you think you can handle 20 credits (some people can, some can’t), then go for it. Remember, though, there’s no shame in taking an extra year. Lots of people, especially in community colleges, take longer than they previously expected.</p>
<p>I got a 4.0 fall 2012 and 3.4 in spring 2013. I’m pretty organized and study along the way…I don’t like to cram the day before so I make flashcards and study sheets as I go. I just don’t want my GPA to be lowered because I can’t dedicate enough attention to the classes. I think taking an extra year might be best.</p>
<p>I took 18 units once and even though I passed them all… I feel like it was a little too much. I ended up with a 2.5 (very disappointed with that GPA but the last two semesters after I did exceptionally well). If you feel like you can handle 20 units per semester than go ahead. But I think it’ll be better if you take another year to transfer.</p>
<p>I was originally enrolled in 20 units for Spring 2013. I had taken 15 units the previous fall, and ended up with a 4.0. I figured I could handle 20 units in spring. I was working half-time, and coupled with the commute time to work, home and school, this many units were killing me. I ended up dropping 1 class, and it suddenly felt a lot more manageable. I ended the semester with 17 units, and a 4.0. So somehow, 17 units was fine, but 20 were too much for me. </p>
<p>You always have the option of enrolling in that many units, and then dropping a class or two if you feel it’s too much. The key here is doing the responsible thing, and actually dropping them if you’re struggling. You certainly don’t want to end up with D’s or F’s (or even C’s, for that matter). You also have summer available to make up some units, if not at your college perhaps at another one nearby.</p>
<p>Will you be working as well?</p>
<p>It really depends on the classes. If you’re going to take a lot of stem classes, then I would not recommend it, but if they are a bunch humanities classes, then I say go for it.</p>
<p>If you think you can pull it off, by all means do it. If they see you cramp 20 something units per semester and still maintain a high GPA, then this should really impress them.</p>
<p>You would be pushing it too much and submitting an application with less than half your grades. I’m pulling 15-18 units for like the next 5 semesters because I can’t take any courses in the summer. I did 18 last spring and it was insane. Thankfully my commute is nill, and not a lot of outside commitments to deal with. I always have 1 pe class to help relieve stress during the week. </p>
<p>Take the extra year and submitt an application with most of your grades for your major. That will be more impressive than trying to convince them you can pull off A’s with a courseload like that.</p>
<p>40 units in one year is doable if your school offers a winter intersession.</p>
<p>I feel that 20 unit sessions are easier when you have less courses (more 5 and 4 unit courses). If this is the case, I’d recommend you doing it. It’s much easier to manage than taking 6-7 classes.</p>
<p>Consider taking one or two classes by Credit by examination if you are familiar with them from prior encounters.</p>
<p>If you don’t pass a credit by exam it does not appear on your transcript so you may want to consider it.</p>
<p>And if not that I’d take the hardest classes if possible with the Pass/No Pass option</p>