<p>OK so I'm currently ending my freshman year at NYU. after finding out about yet ANOTHER tuition hike my family has realized i seriously can't afford it.</p>
<p>i'm thinking of taking off the next year and applying to Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD to transfer for fall 09.</p>
<p>i have a 3.4 now, probably a 3.6 after this semester. over my "break" i'd be working and volunteering extensively. i have a stellar high school record (got into berkeley, usc, ucla, ucsd, etc but ended up at nyu for other reasons).</p>
<p>would taking a year off hurt my chances?? i don't want to go into more debt just to transfer to a school i'd actually like..</p>
<p>HOW MANY UNITS DO YOU HAVE?
that should answer your question.</p>
<p>Another option to think about instead of taking time off, is to complete any missing units or courses at a California Community College (CCC) next year. Remember most UC's require at least 60 semester transferable units for admissions; check with the campus regarding their specific requirements. Also remember that the UC campuses have a unit limitation that applies to students with 4 year college units; check with them also regarding this limitation so you don't take too many units at a CCC.</p>
<p>In an answer to your question, there is never anything wrong with taking time away from school. Just make sure to explain the gap in education on your application.</p>
<p>thanks, i think i'm leaning toward community college classes instead of taking a semester off, since I don't want to fall too far behind.</p>
<p>Is there anyone i can call to talk to about which of my classes are UC-transferable so that I can plan accordingly?</p>
<p>Go to Welcome</a> to ASSIST and it has all the information you need about classes that transfer.</p>
<p>it only lists CA colleges, though - I currently attend NYU.</p>
<p>Ohh sorry I thought you wanted to know when you came to a CCC.</p>
<p>it ends up i can request a review of my transcript by the admissions offices starting in late may.</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice - but i'm still not sure if it would be better (on my record) to stay at NYU for another semester then transfer, or take courses at community college.</p>
<p>This would depend on your post-baccalaureate plans. If interested in graduate or professional level schools I'd recommend contacting those schools to get an idea. Some professional levels schools might frown upon going from 4 year to two year back to 4 year and will let you know. For the UC Admissions office, we will give preference to any student who qualifies as a California Community College student; again a decision you will need to make depending on the information you obtain from your searches.</p>
<p>If I continued my studies in a community college, however, and obtained a high GPA at a four-year along with work experience and extra curriculars, wouldn't that cancel out any negativity from the brief cc experience? as long as it is explained, of course.</p>