I’m a senior set on going to a CCC and TAGing to Irvine. I’ve planned my course schedule to transfer, am studying for AP Exams, and am applying for community college scholarships. I cannot take any CCC courses at my local schools this quarter or over the summer due to certain circumstances. Any ideas?
It’s great that you’re starting so early. I don’t know what your major/interests are, but here are some ideas from a CCC student about to transfer:
- Study for as many AP's as you can. What matters is getting a 3. If "easier" AP'S aren't offered at your school, consider self studying them (ie. psychology, microecon). Any AP test that you pass is a breadth requirement that you've fulfilled and one less class you have to take in college. Think about it: 5 AP Classes is pretty much a semester of college. This will be especially useful if you decide you want to fulfill IGETC.
- You most likely will be given an English and math placement test before you can sign up for classes. Consider studying for them, especially if you're a STEM major. If you need a high-level math class to transfer, placing as highly as you can will mean fewer classes you have to take and potentially fewer semesters.
- If you know the major you want to transfer into, check out Assist.org. Take note on which classes are required for your major. If you're still unsure, take a transfer-level math class and a transfer-level writing class your first semesters. These are pretty much universal transfer requirements. Plus, they are often prerequisites to other courses. If you do know your major, get started on those requirements (and recommended classes) right away, in case anything unexpected happens.
- You're set on TAGing to Irvine, but don't completely neglect the other UC's. Take a look at them from time to time. Fulfill their major requirements too. Options are good. You don't know what sort of person you'll be in two years. Maybe you'll want different things.
- Join club and activities you're interested in right away. You only have 2-3 years at a community college. Getting started now will allow you to take most advantage of them, and perhaps have leadership opportunities.
- PM me if you have an specific questions, or want to share more details for more personalized advice.
@lplpop167 I agree with everything @snowy606 says. On top of that I wish that I had knew about the honors to honors program. It will give you a leg up on other applicants and open up TAG/TAP opportunities that are not there for non-honors students. Personally, I couldn’t TAG UCI’s business admin because I was not in the honors program. Talk with the honors CC counselor on finding out if you qualify or what you need to do to qualify.
I echo what @enpz45 and @snowy606 has said. I just have a few things to add:
- Consider doing undergraduate research! This looks great for colleges/resumes. If you can get published, even better. There are conferences such as HTCC that is specifically tailored for California Community college students that give opportunities such as this. I recently presented this past weekend at this conference and it truly is an amazing experience to present!
- This may be controversial/debatable advice, but I'm only speaking from my personal experience as a CCC student who is about to transfer: try and pick a major as soon as possible. I know that many CCs advertise the fact that going there gives you time to pick; however, if you don't want to be spending more than 2/3 years at a CC, then it's important to pick your major and do IGETC/pre-reqs ASAP. When you transfer in as a junior to any of the UCs/CalStates, you will need to declare your major already. There is no way for you to go in undeclared and decide there (unless you want to switch, which is a whole other situation). Start thinking about what your interests are now and looking into career paths that you might enjoy.
- Stay on top of your coursework/required classes.I know people who have been at my CC for 4/5+ years because they can't seem to buckle down and do what they need to in order to transfer.
I found my time at my CCC to be extremely rewarding. I’ve learned a lot in these past two years that I don’t think that I would have if I had just gone straight to a university. I hope that you will have the same fulfilling experience that I have. Going to a CCC was one of the best decisions I’ve made academically. If you have any questions, need help, or just want to talk about what to expect going to a community college, my inbox is always open so shoot me a message!
Check the AP credit listings for your transfer target schools (i.e. the UCs and CSUs). The subject credit they give may differ from each other and from your community college. In many cases, a 4 or 5 may be needed to be exempt from a course. The http://www.assist.org listings for your major and campus may include AP subject credit information.