Transferring from Penn State to CC for UCB

[astepahead]

<p>I am a freshman at Penn State (not main campus) with an engineering major, currently attending my first semester, and would like to transfer to UC Berkeley or UCLA with a computer engineering major after my sophomore year. We didn't have to choose a specific engineering major, but my current classes fit computer engineering (and most other engineering majors) very well.</p>

<p>I have read a few articles about the disadvantages of transferring from an out-of-state university, so I have made up my mind to first transfer to a community college in California. I am 100% certain that I want to be there, that's why I am willing to leave such a nice place for a CCC. I have already chosen a CCC to apply, but it was too late to apply for the winter quarter. This leaves me with the spring quarter, which only begins at April and ends at late June.</p>

<p>Considering this, I am stuck with two options that has to be decided quickly:</p>

<ol>
<li>Finish my first semester (with 19 credits) at Penn State and transfer, and attend the spring quarter of CCC four months later, with no classes to take in between.</li>
<li>Stay for a year at Penn State, finish two semesters (having 38 credits), then transfer to CCC for summer quarters and classes.</li>
</ol>

<p>I have no idea which option is better for transferring to UC. Please help. I am willing to provide any additional information if needed.</p>

[bomerr]

<p>You need a certain amount of units in residency at a CCC to be considered a CC transfer. I’d leave Penn as soon as possible for a CC. With that said, that may delay your graduation because classes at CC are harder to get in.</p>

[astepahead]

<p>Thank you for telling me that bomerr, I didn’t even know about this.
I am willing to work harder and take more classes each quarter and during summer breaks if needed, and even if it means to delay my graduation, I will accept that as long as I can still get in.</p>

[mikemac]

<p>Here is the definition from the UCSD website

</p>

<p>To be considered a California community college (CCC) student, you must meet all 4 of these conditions:</p>

<pre><code>Be enrolled at 1 or more CCCs for at least 2 terms, excluding summer sessions, and
Attend a CCC as the last college before being admitted to UC San Diego, and
Complete at least 30 semester UC-transferable units (45 quarter units), and
Be in good standing during your last regular term.
</code></pre>

<p>[Transfer</a> Admission Requirements](<a href=“http://admissions.ucsd.edu/transfers/requirements.html]Transfer”>http://admissions.ucsd.edu/transfers/requirements.html)

All UCs use the same definition. So 1 year at a CC should take care of that.</p>

<p>One other issue is avoiding excess units when applying; if you have too many then you will be ineligible for a UC. Since you are only doing 1 year at a 4-year college that in unlikely to be an issue. See <a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/uc-transfer-maximum-limitation-policy-chart.pdf[/url]”>University of California Counselors; Probably a good idea to call the xfer advisers at the CC you have chosen, since the rules are changing this year and that flyer isn’t too specific. </p>

<p>The bigger question, IMHO, is finances. Is someone willing to pay for your OOS tuition? The UCs do not give any financial aid to cover the OOS tuition.</p>

[andrewexd]

<p>Be warned that you will not be able to get in state tuition rates.</p>

[astepahead]

<p>To mikemac:
Thank you for posting the definition. It was very helpful. I’ll take this into considerations.
As for finances, although my parents do have permanent residency there, I believe they will be happy to take care of it if I am accepted, even if I don’t qualify the in state tuition. But thank you for mentioning it.</p>

[astepahead]

<p>To andrewexd:
I don’t understand the conditions of getting in or not, but I think my parents will be fine with that even if I don’t. Thanks for the warning</p>

[andrewexd]

<p>@Astepahead, no problem, there just seems to be a lot of out of state students who think going to a california CC for 2 years will grant them in state tuition.</p>

<p>

In order to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes, you must fulfill ALL 3 requirements listed below:</p>

<p>Physical Presence: You must be physically present in California for more than one year (366 days) immediately prior to the residence determination date of the term for which classification as a resident is requested.</p>

<p>Intent: You must establish your intent to make California your home one year prior to the residence determination date of the term for which classification as a resident is requested.</p>

<p>If you are physically present in California solely for educational purposes, you will not be eligible for resident classification regardless of the length of your stay in California. The physical presence requirement (above) will be extended until you can demonstrate a concurrence of both physical presence and intent for one full year.</p>

<p>Financial Independence: If you will not reach age 24 by December 31 of the year in which classification as a resident is requested, and are not dependent upon a California resident parent (biological or legally adoptive only) for tuition purposes, you will be required to satisfy the University’s self-sufficiency requirement.</p>

<p>It should be noted that this requirement makes it extremely difficult for most undergraduates who do not have a parent domiciled in California to qualify for classification as a resident at a University of California campus."</p>

<p>[Establishing</a> Legal Residence - Office Of The Registrar](<a href=“http://registrar.berkeley.edu/establish.html]Establishing”>http://registrar.berkeley.edu/establish.html)

</p>