@hotlot we are in the same exact boat. I want to do CC because coset/ease, and honestly, I have always thought it’s been a great route for so many. But, turning down ucla/ucsb and foregoing the chance to be there seems crazy too. ALso, they are 17/18, and are going to change in a year. They may still want USC, or may not, but nothing is lost this way. At first, I thought “Wow, europe…maybe we’ll all go…we’ll never have this opportunity again.” Then knew it seems like a rich kid’s way to save face, and not for us. He needs to grow up already and be working hard. (Yes, I am sure in europe some work hard, but I want him to EARN an abroad program through hard work in college). ANd be a bit older, more sophisticated and self-regulating. For a first experience away, it’s too much and too costly. It’s like a wierd gap year. CC I went around and around, but @CADREAMIN helped me sort out things. She’s right, if S gets sick, or needs to take time and misses class he’s done with TTP, and only at CC and stuck. Lost ALL his chances. RIght now, S is reeling from rejection at USC. He loved his summer program there, and wanted to go. So, all he thinks of is TTP. But, I think UC is the way to go…If S takes full ride at SCU, he is also stuck in my mind…that would be wrong to take and leave. Same with Cal Poly.
THe GREAT GOOD news is that they have these options. SO many of his friends and our friend’s kids were shut out of UCs this year! Qualified kids. ANd many were shut out of Cal states too!
@hotlot my D is currently a freshman going to a 4 yr and was offered the TTP last year. She was the one that ultimately chose this route and I’m glad she did.
From our perspective (as parents):
- the study abroad brought too many uncertainties: travel time; first time being so far away from home in unfamiliar surroundings; language barrier; the what if’s like homesickness, regular sickness, etc.
- cc brought about the uncertainty of what if USC did not accept D’s transfer (for any number of reasons), D would have to stay another year at the cc then try to transfer as a junior to a 4 yr
- going to another 4 year (as parents of a hs sr. we were prepared for this scenario already) and try to make the best of freshman year.
From my experience, the decision has to come from both the student and the parents. They know what they want and as parents, we think we know what they can handle.
As a freshmen, being away from home for the first time brought many challenges: for us, it’s not a simple car ride home for the weekend (It entails a whole day of air travel); Dorm life; studying to maintain that gpa; the list goes on. Nothing can take away the experiences that my D has had during this past year. We are so proud of how she has grown and how much she has accomplished.
No one person can tell you what you or your child should do. I feel like it’s a team effort among the parents and their child. Ultimately, it comes down to the right scenario for your particular child. I know this hasn’t helped in your decision making, but I thought I’d share my thoughts.
By this time next year, you will become one of us who lurk these forums for any word on TTP acceptances. Good luck to you and your family! Fight on!
@hotlot So, did your daughter reapply to USC? If so, did she get in?
The letter said to enroll as a visiting or extension student if going to UC, is that feasible? some parents argue that going to UC for freshman is a sign of lack of commitment, is that something we should be worried about?
The problem is that counselor meeting cannot be scheduled until you choose which school to attend, which makes it difficult to obtain answers directly from USC. Thank you for this forum as it provides monumentally important information to help us make the right decision.
@hotlot my son was accepted as a UC biology major. At the TTP meeting, the USC counselor had given my son a copy of the articulation agreement of USC and UC transferable classes. Some UC classes may not be transferable and it would be a waste of time taking the class if the goal is to transfer to USC. After meeting with the USC TTP counselor, he decided to take the GE courses to fulfill USC’s GE requirements. He decided not to take any biology requirements except 2 quarters of calculus. The life sciences and biology classes at UC’s are normally classes which pre-med students take and are very competitive to get A’s. Though he had AP credits for calculus, the USC counselor was okay with him taking it again to get easy A’s. His strategy was to take GE classes that fulfilled both USC and UC GE requirements (in case he did not get into USC) and be able to get A’s. In addition to the 2 calculus classes, he took 2 english, 3 political sciences, 2 history and 1 music (I recall) classes to fulfill both UC (total 50 quarter units) and USC GE requirements. His worked hard to get the best grades he can.
Each quarter as he was enrolling for courses, he communicated with his USC counselor by email the courses he was planning to take to get her buy in, checked that the courses met USC GE requirements and progress of the grades he received. The articulation agreement that the USC counselor provide to my son helped a lot and gave him guidance as to which classes were transferable. The USC counselor gave my son the list of USC GE requirements and the articulation agreement was helpful to translate the UC classes which fulfilled USC classes.
During this process, he got very interested in political science and he leaned toward a political science pre law major. At one time he thought about taking biology requirements like chemistry, physics, etc. in this Spring Quarter and the summer between his freshman and sophomore year before attending USC, but decided that it would be a difficult climb to start so late. Since he got very interested in political science, that is the major he wants to be in, which his major now at USC. He hopes to attend law school. I hope this helps you.
I called USC a couple of days ago, and they said you’re at no disadvantage to go to a 4 year and as long as you do well you’re fine
A four year is 100% fine, I would never give up or change plans to attend a good four year if you have that option. USC can’t outwardly promote attending a four year with the intention of leaving, that would not be politically correct with other universities. But anyone will tell you in person that attending a four year is fine. Frankly, that is one of the ideal situations for TTP. Go to another great four year and if it works out stay, if not, apply for TTP by Feb 1 (after having signed up for TTP and attended meeting, etc the summer prior).
They also cannot tell you to attend a CC on a maybe!
THANK YOU SO MUCH @UCBUSCalum @TeriYaki1 I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your information and great insights! My kid is admitted by a few UC for bio chemistry major, but SC is what she wants. We are trying to help her make the best decision on her path back to SC simultaneously securing a safe backup for the what if’s. We greatly greatly appreciate you shining a light on us in this time of uncertainty.
How do I PM someone or check if someone PMed me? I don’t seem to have that option…
You are welcome
@hotlot you can’t check messages until you have a minimum of 15 posts. This was created to stop spam.
What are the academic differences between the four study abroad universities? At which university is it most attainable to maintain a 3.4 GPA or higher? I have heard some people say John Cabot University is harder, but I am unsure. If anyone has any experience, please share!
TTP decision - spring grade request
3.92 GPA, 31 credits
honestly don’t know why the process is being so dragged out this year.
@CADREAMIN What exactly is the GPA requirement for TTP? I just got SGR and had a 3.94 GPA S1 for 5 classes. This current spring semester Im taking 5 classes ( technically 4 bc one of them is a stats extra help class counting as one unit) and Im worried about my poli sci class and getting a B in it, would they look differently at me if I got a B in one of the classes and possibly reject ?
TTP-
My Son received email 4/12/19 with updated information… logged in and he was accepted to USC, Viterbi computer science (Games). Received white box on Saturday! so excited he did one year at community college got straight A’s.
will attend USC as a sophore fall of 2019. Fight On!
Hi everyone a bit confused here. I am currently a sophomore at UCLA and I want to transfer to USC for my junior year. I was rejected as a freshman but I got on the TTP. I ended up going to UCLA but after 2 years here I want to give USC another go. I’m at a 3.64 right now (I know, it isn’t very competitive but UCLA is a tougher grader than CCs generally). Was wondering if the TTP still transfers over to when I’m applying as a sophomore?
GPA is fine particularly from UCLA. Since you didn’t pursue TTP it won’t give you a hook like it would have. The info would still be in your original application, but you will now be considered within the general transfer applicant pool.
Does anyone know if the target GPA for trojan transfer students at four years is a 3.6 or a 3.7? I got a SGR and I can’t remember what my counselor said in the meeting, and I’m getting worried about my GPA this semester
I recall the fine print on the TTP document says 3.6, but you should strive for at least a 3.7+ to be safe. It does not matter whether your are transferring from a cc or a 4 year university. Your cumulative GPA is what counts.
Hello!
TTP Decision came back (by email first for some reason): Accepted
GPA: 4.0
Credits: 36
I decided to go to a 4-year university (Ohio State University) and I haven’t decided whether I want to accept or not, waiting for financial aid.
I’d be happy to answer any questions so feel free to ask!