Let’s start a group for anyone who was offered TTP.
Also let us know how you will spend next year if you chose to accept!
That’s a really good question. I know they say not to join a 4 year college, but it seems like it’s too much to pass up. I can’t see the harm in going to another equally good college and if you don’t like it, transfer to USC. I think they put the part about not attending another 4 year college in their letter because they don’t want to promote leaving another 4 year institute. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.
@symonaidanasa you are exactly right. They can’t “promote” the idea of going to a four year to then leave it. Other universities would frown upon that. So they encourage a CC to be politically correct, but there is absolutely no reason to give up the freshman experience of a four year. If you met with an advisor face to face they will tell you the same if you ask it directly, they just can’t publicize it. And they know you are more likely to come from the CC as you may also end up loving the 4 year and decide to stay. No one really expects the TTPer to give up a good four year and that first year experience.
@symonaidanasa I had that exact thought! How can I encourage my son to go to CC (which is fine) but not when he can try ucsb or ucla eng. and then have an option…right @CADREAMIN ? USC is his #1, but still…
@BeCheap4me2 You really don’t have to encourage that in any way. It’s a choice, some do it to save money, work, or maybe they don’t have another good 4 year choice. But if you have another good 4 year option and finances aren’t the issue, then don’t pass up that 4 year option, and you have two great options there! First there is having the good fortune to have the opportunity of the freshman experience, a once in a lifetime event. But secondly, if something comes up like they get mono or struggle for whatever reason during that year, if they are at a 4 year, they are already at a 4 year and they recover from whatever occurred there. If they went to a CC and have that issue, then their future is more unclear and influenced by an unfortunate situation that occurs their first year. If their gpa has issues, they have to find a 4 year to take them since TTP is not guaranteed (super super close, but it’s not).
@BeCheap4me2 Agree with you 100%. Your son should NOT give up a chance for UCSB or UCLA just for a maybe at USC.
Thank you @CADREAMIN and @symonaidanasa this is very helpful. I am always looking at eventualities, and options. I mean he is only 18. I really appreciate your help all this time @CADREAMIN
Bottom line, I wouldn’t give up a good and certain four year over a “maybe” from USC. No matter how certain they say it is, unless they are going to say it is guaranteed, it isn’t. And they won’t call it guaranteed with a certain GPA, like Cornell does. And the stress that little detail (having to sweat out admission again) can cause during their first year of college is not to be underestimated.
Generally speaking, I think for super high stat kids that thought they would get in/should have gotten into USC as a freshman (but didn’t because too many high stats applying or picked an in demand major) it’s not such a golden ticket. So they move on with their life and maybe apply as a back-up incase the 4 year they attend isn’t all that dreamy. For those that we less likely to get in anyway (maybe lower stat legacy for example) they are simply thrilled and are more willing to change their life to attend (and they may not have other good four year choices).
@CADREAMIN yes, he had high high stats. 1550 sat, 4.46 gpa, 800 sat physics, 740 math sat. Excellent ec’s, charity, recs…civil eng. major. He will most likely go to ucsb or ucla and keep TTP alive. But, I think he needs to go and put his heart into it. Europe is not an option, and city college will rule out anything but usc…even though it is tempting for cost, closeness, surety of plan. I think that he is just so dissapointed and wants usc…
The point I question is if he attends UCLA, why would he still consider the TTP. UCLA is just as good, offers many great programs and a lot less expensive. Also, with the college experience, he may make many new friends at UCLA and not want to transfers. S was a TTP last year and transferred from a UC after his freshman year. He met a few UC transfers (non TTP) from UCSB, UCR, UCSC, etc. after their freshman years. To his knowledge, none from UCLA or UCB.
@UCBUSCalum well, the very specific major he wants is at USC. It’s a mix of civil eng. and arch…very few have this major.
There have been both TTPs and transfers from UCLA, a couple were very active and helpful posters for awhile. It’s really no different than the student that chooses USC over UCLA as a freshman, there are quite a few that do that, and vice versa. Private versus public, simplicity in changing majors and double majoring, because of a certain major, or they like red better than blue (ha) are the most likely factors. My engineer had the coveted UCs as choices, didn’t hesitate, USC all the way. Toured them all with an open mind, but it wasn’t a tough decision for him.
But agree, UCLA is a great school and the students should give it a shot - I feel that way about any four year a TTP attends - go in with an open heart and mind. Make friends, invest in the school while you are there. Otherwise you exist in a limbo situation and unable to really connect. So love where you are at while you are at it. And if you decide not to exercise the TTP, then don’t fill out the app in Feb. But it’s there as a backup if needed until he/she decides they want it or don’t want it any longer.
Hey!!! so I got into the TTP program for USC… My question is, Can I transfer to another school after completing my year abroad? In other words, after completing my year abroad at AUP (American University of Paris) can I apply to transfer to Brown, UCLA or another school? Or am I committed to USC.
Thank you so much!!!
@july23rd you can apply to any school, and you should, because USC is not a guarantee. My daughter’s current roommate is a TTP and she did a year at a CC. She did not get in. That said, she did do well her second semester academically, her essays on her application weren’t great, and she didn’t do anything extra-curricular. So, make sure you do everything that is required of you academically and be involved. Just my two cents, if you don’t have another 4 year institute that you got accepted to and you aren’t psyched to go to a CC, go to Europe and enjoy yourself and reapply to USC and others. Hope that helps.
@CADREAMIN How do you know that USC has no problem with transfers coming from another 4-year college, even though they state that they prefer community college? I think your reasoning makes sense, but what are you basing this on? Anecdotal information, or do you have factual knowledge of how it works?
@symonaidanasa Your daughter’s roommate who was rejected from USC even though she was a TTP, what was her GPA? Did she have C on her grade? and did she finish all the pre req classes? I just want to know if USC can reject a TTP if she/he did everything USC asked (GPA above 3.6, no C, finish the pre req classes).
@pesona I don’t believe she did everything that was asked of her. She thought they were lenient, but apparently not.