<p>I doubt I need to tell my story, I'm probably in the same boat as everyone else on this forum who is about to go thru or has already completed their two years of Community College. I plan on attending Santiago Canyon College and doing the whole spiel of IGETC, TAP, and EC's. Not sure exactly where I want to end up (UCB, UCLA, UCSD), but I am going to major in Political Science. From the people who have survived the last two years at there community college and now go on to bigger and better things in the UC system, what kind of advice can you give on how to get thru the next two years. Anything and everything will be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>The most important thing in these two years is to be focused. It is definitely possible for you to pull off that 3.8-4.0 if you focus. Once you have that, try and add things to make yourself look better like working, community services, internships, and summer programs like research etc. Other than that, the only thing I can emphasize is to just focus, and get those A's. Good luck! GO LAKERS!!</p>
<p>I used IGETC, 3.6 (poli sci) got in UCSD, UCLA, Cal. I had 4 W<code>s and 3 F</code>s on my transcripts however I repeated them all with A`s. I had 0 extra curricular and a 1.8 out of high school..Oh yea never took the SAT and was expelled my 9th grade year and then finished at continuation school. I had no sob story I just partied to hard.
I graduated from UCSD with a 3.5 am working on my M.A and will start my PhD next year hopefully in a top 20 program.
Moral of the story use a good transfer pattern, get a 3.4+ and dont worry about it. In my personal statement to all the big name UC`s I started them off something like " I wont lie and say getting into your university means everything to me, it doesnt." worked out.</p>
<p>The kids who tell you "get research time in" "volunteer non stop" are those nervous wrecks who hate people who have a life and get into better schools then them. Most graduate applicants have limited research experience with only 1 or two publications so dont worry about that crap as a lowly undergrad CC transfer.</p>
<p>one thing you should realize is that community college is so incredably easy, i havnt started Cal yet but I know that community college was too easy and that its nothing compared to a uc, the point is take advantage of how easy community college is, theres no reason why you should have anything less than a 3.8, with that and some preperation you should get into any school you desire.</p>
<p>Focus on your grades because they're probably the most important factor in UC transferring. Make sure that you work on your essay early because if it comes down to it and you make them like you, you're in. And make sure you do at least 1 EC that you like doing, because the application is gonna look bare without one.</p>
<p>I found UCSD only slightly more difficult than a CC... I mean really its undergrad at a UC and if you have mastered the blue book, scantrons and essay format youre good to go. At these large public uni<code>s teachers can assign a bit more reading etc but when it comes down to it as long as youre coherent in your writing and can master the blue book / scantron youre goning to be fine....TA</code>s dont have the time to make sure an "A" is really excellent when they have 350 blue books to read through.</p>
<p>I am sure I am bound to get flamed here or get UCSD flamed but really its only as hard as you make it...making office hours and kissing a bit of ass always turned my 45 minute to write paper from a b- paper into a solid A or A-</p>
<p>Also I agree with the above poster make sure you do something you can lsit as an EC...I remember I worked a walk I did for my dads work and put that down...app does look bare without at least something listed, even if its really marginal and exagerated it helps</p>
<p>Oh yea for social science majors and those only requiring a math course or two, MAKE SURE your math and language courses are done BY THE TIME you apply. I had a few friends get denied at UCLA pretty much because they left stats and their language course until their last semester. They want to see grades for those classes and UCLA told me they got sick of admitting kids only to have them fail math.</p>
<p>I don't have any time to read any of the posts that came before mine, so hopefully I'm not repeating anyone:</p>
<p>Take summer and winter intersession classes if your school offers them. However, don't take the classes that are important*--try to reserve these for filling GE requirements. They grade a lot easier and make your life less stressful during the regular semesters. That way, you don't become stupid/desperate and attempt to take more than 14 units to get everything done before you transfer.</p>
<p>Make sure you see a transfer counselor (regularly, at least once a semester) to get an idea how long it'll take you to transfer and where your goals stand so you can plan everything out ASAP.</p>
<p>Don't half-ass the classes that the UCs find important (math and English), put some real effort into getting good grades in these classes, along with your major requirements. Also, if you are not *absolutely sure you want to do political science, take some other types of classes in other fields to fulfill your GE just in case you decide you want to minor in something or switch majors entirely.</p>
<p>3) Know your enrollment dates ahead of time so you can enroll asap. Not having the right teacher can be the difference between an A and a C. Classes fill up fast.</p>
<p>4) You apply to UC after 1 year so make the 1st year perfect. Don't ever act like CC is easy. You go to CC just like every other Joe Schmo, so be humble and thankful that your CC will give you the opportunity to transfer to the finest institutions in the nation.</p>
<p>5) Only do EC's that you want to be involved in, not because someone told you they would look attractive to the admissions committee. Adcoms don't care about what you do, but what you gained from it. Remember depth >> breadth-- 1 EC >> 10 empty EC's. </p>
<p>6) Be honest in your essays. UC's want people, not robots. You'll impress them not on the merit of your accomplishments, but on the depth of your introspection.</p>
<p>Develop good relationships with all your teachers, that will ensure you get the good grades. </p>
<p>Anyone can get straight A's taking 14 units at CC...trying a heavy course load for at least one semester at CC (19+ units). That will show the UC's you can handle your work.</p>
<p>EC...only if you really want to. Doesn't it's that important for transfers, unless it's legit, which is to say you're not just being a typical suckup college applicant.</p>
<p>When you write your application essay, shop it around to your english teachers and couselors for their input.</p>
<p>Another thing, be interesting. If you have any unique interests or hobbies (music, art, etc.) now is the time to develop them, and find a way to be active with those interests that will give you something good for your application. In terms of EC that will be much more effective than just volunteer work or honors programs.</p>
<p>Start thinking about personal essays early, and make sure you know what you want to major in early on. AND DON'T GET STUCK - that's the most important thing. I know a lot of people who go into community college thinking they'll transfer in two years, and keep putting it off until they've been at a CC for 6 semesters.</p>
<p>Do not--I repeat--DO NOT trust a CCC counselor off the bat. Make them earn your trust. Most of the staff members I encountered during my CCC career were incompetent, bitterly disappointed, and cynical shrews. My friends would routinely get conflicting advice (sometimes they would find out that one counselor had completely misdirected them, which entailed starting their path towards their transfer day from scratch)and they would give me weird looks when I told them I wanted to go to Cal. </p>
<p>I actually got into Berkeley ... unfortunately, I'm going to have to either mail my transcripts myself or take them in personally. The woman behind the window apparently thought that writing "UC Berkeley" and its zip code on my transcript serve as a "sufficient address." Something tells me she's the type of person who writes letters to Santa Claus during Christmas.</p>
<p>I agree with Eschatos, don't take the counselor's word as gospel. Get everything in writing, request to see the catalog, get documentation, anything to make the counselor accountable for his/her words. Know which classes you have to take and plan when you're going to take them. This way, you're always on track and will transfer when on your time. Good luck!</p>
<p>Do not miss an assignment (even if you need to turn in a crappy one). Smile, participate in class conversation, be likable (to professors), kiss butt, use assist.org, go to every class, buy books from half.com, do not get C's, study the syllabus, use ratemyprofessor.com (perhaps the most important), and last but not least....when writing papers always use at least 1 simile and 1 metaphor.</p>