<p>Hey everyone, i'm new to CC and it's nice to meet you all. I attended UC Davis for my freshman year of college and studied engineering. My first year of college was a disaster and I ended up withdrawing after spring quarter (spring 2011) with a 1.5 gpa. I attempted 34 semester units and passed 24 semester units my freshman year. While at UC I failed two math classes, a programming class, and a physics class. Since withdrawing I have been attending a community college where I've been taking classes to fulfill biology prerequisites, so far I have a year of biology, a year of calculus, and a year of English. This year I'll complete the general chemistry and physics series, leaving only o-chem as the major pre-rec series left (which I'll have to take in the 2013-2014 school year). I currently have a 3.27 GPA and will have around 65 semester units from my community college alone by the end of the 2012-2013 school year. I will also have retaken the classes I failed at Davis at my community college. </p>
<p>Until now I had planned on returning to the UC system (I was thinking San Diego or Santa Barbara) but after speaking to several counselors at those schools I'm thinking that attending a UC is not going to be realistic because of my miserable UC gpa that follows me to all UC campuses. </p>
<p>I've joined college confidential because I feel so lost in finding a good university that would be the perfect match for someone in my situation. I'm debating whether I should apply for transfer this fall, or wait at community college for a third year and take the O-Chem series? Do all universities make students ineligible for transfer if they have too many units? For instance I know the UCs say students are ineligible if they have 90 or more semester units from combined community college and university work. I'm sincerely passionate about biology and would like to attend a strong science school, can anyone give me some suggestions on schools? </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, and thanks for your help.</p>
<p>I think it’s time to leave the community college. Taking the o-chem series at a community college might be a waste of time and money since your credits will not transfer to a lot of programs. Community colleges aren’t really intended for upper division courses. </p>
<p>Assuming the UCs are out, that leaves the Cal State system and privates. Can you afford a private school? Significant financial aid for transfer students is rare, so you might have to cough up the approx $50K yourself. If that amount of money is out of the question that does leave the Cal State system, right?</p>
<p>In your position I would really read up on the biology major requirements at whatever Cal States that interest you. They are all strong enough in the sciences to suit the needs of the average undergraduate, and all the information you need is on the web. Make an appointment with a department representative if you can; talk to admissions. You need solid, detailed advice from specific schools.</p>
<p>In Calif, it’s often hard/impossible to transfer from a CC to a UC or Cal State without finishing your AA. </p>
<p>What was your aid situation at UC Davis? </p>
<p>You may also need to be concerned about your aid eligibilty lasting thru graduation. Calif is rather strict with aid eligibilty…number of years/credits/etc. Be sure to talk to someone who REALLY knows the rules.</p>
<p>I don’t think you need an AA per se. But you’re right, it can be hard to transfer without a specific number of credits, although it sounds like OP has plenty, between what he/she passed at Davis and at the cc. </p>
<p>And of course you’re right about financial aid throwing another set of issues to be kept track of.</p>
<p>thanks for the responses katliamom and mom2collegekids…Just wondering katliamom what sort of programs don’t recognize community college credits? And mom2collegekids, it’s certainly not impossible to transfer without finishing your AA, I know a lot of people who have transferred to UC’s from CC without completing the AA.</p>
<p>In regards for Fin Aid, I did not qualify for Fafsa or Cal Grant while attending Davis and my EFC is around 40k unfortunately. While money isn’t a deciding factor in what school I attend, I would surely like to be responsible with how I spend (my parents) money. A private is going to cost almost 4 times as much as a state school, and I’m not entirely sure it’s worth all the extra money. </p>
<p>I’m looking for a school in california…but if there’s a perfect school for me outside of the state I’d be more than willing to take a look. </p>
<p>My stats go as follows:
4.1 High School GPA
1900 SAT</p>
<p>1.5 UC Davis GPA: 24 Semester Units</p>
<p>3.3 Community College GPA: 65 Semester Units</p>
<p>Are there any public’s or privates you would recommend I take a look at? My only real preference is that the school has a reputable science/biology program. Thanks again.</p>
<p>It’s not that programs don’t recognize community college courses - it’s that many programs will REQUIRE you take upper division (and important benchmark courses such as org chemistry) at THEIR OWN campus. That’s why I urge you to contact specific departments/schools for EXACT information regarding what will transfer and what won’t. At this point, why spend the time and money to take classes you’ll just have to repeat later?</p>
<p>As to schools, again, if the UCs are out, your should be looking at the Cal States. All the main ones - San Jose, Sonoma, Sacramento, Long Beach, San Diego etc - have fine biology departments.</p>
<p>In terms of private schools - there are many, and it’s hard recommending something since you’re not entirely sure they’re worth the money. But one you could look at that has a pretty good reputation University of San Francisco, which does take community college transfers, but they accept a maximum of 70 semester credits. The school is strong in the sciences and supposedly well connected to the local research community, making it easier to get internships.</p>
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<p>Where did you read that? [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) does not list an associates degree requirement in the transfer articulation reports for various combinations of community college, UCs / CSUs, and majors.</p>
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<p>Be aware that biology is an extremely popular major. Be prepared to face a highly competitive job market for mostly relatively low paid biology jobs, so keep costs and student loan debt down.</p>
<p>if you can afford it maybe head east and apply to Drexel or U of Indianapolis or perhaps a school like Jacksonville University. I am not sure how your previous track record will play out going forward! I think you should talk to an admissions officer at what ever school you apply to and be straight forward in advance of applying. another school that maybe a good school for you to look at is Nova Southeastern. it has some upsides and downsides but a lot more upsides to it!</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions zobroward. </p>
<p>While I’m considering the CSU system, I do question the resources that are available to CSU students…my understanding is that they don’t offer the same level of educational opportunities as the UC’s. I’m currently looking at CSU Sonoma, San Jose, SF, and Sac. </p>
<p>Do I have a shot at schools such as Pitzer, Santa Clara University, St. Mary’s, University of San Francisco, Occidental, University of the Pacific, or my 1st choice USC? What really intrigues me about Pitzer is the keck science department which is a joint department between most of the claremont schools…as well as what seems to be a higher admission rate compared to the rest of the claremont colleges. </p>
<p>The out of state schools I’m interested are The University of Michigan, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin, The University of Arizona, University of Oregon, Rice, UNC Chapel Hill, UT Austin </p>
<p>I’d even seriously consider the University of Toronto, or the University of British Columbia.</p>
<p>Please keep the advice and suggestions coming!</p>
<p>If you think that the UCs will be too hard, given your past history at UCD, what makes you think Michigan, Chapel Hill or Austin will be different? Actually, I think doing sciences at some of these campuses will be HARDER and more cut-throat. These are among the ‘public ivies’ that attract very competitive kids from all over the country. It will be like going to Cal, or UCLA. If you’re willing to work hard in a tough school, save yourself $25,000 a year and go to a UC. </p>
<p>As to your post-grad work prospects, a lot of it depends on what you want to do. In general, biology grads have a tough time finding work because there is so many of them - most ex-pre meds - all competing for the same low paying lab jobs.</p>
<p>Katliamom, I actually don’t think that UCs will be too hard…I’m not really considering them because I don’t want to deal with being on academic probation and my poor GPA all over again; not to mention, by taking classes I failed at UC Davis at my community college I essentially waived academic renewal (something I was not aware of until a couple days ago). </p>
<p>I totally understand schools like Michigan, Chapel Hill or Austin are in the ranks of Cal, so maybe I really should sets my sites a little lower…are there schools are out there that rank similarly to Davis/Santa Barbara that are worth taking a look at? </p>
<p>Also Katliamom/ucbalumnus are there any other majors in the sciences you recommend I take a look at, as you both have alluded to the saturated job market for biology majors. </p>
<p>Lastly, what are my prospects of getting into schools such as: Pitzer, Santa Clara University, St. Mary’s, University of San Francisco, Occidental, University of the Pacific, and USC?</p>
<p>Thank you all for the help</p>
<p>I could stay at community college for a third year and study biology at Davis…I could attend open campus and transfer to the UC I want to attend this year but I wouldn’t be able to study the sciences, or just say screw it and find another school…what are my chances of getting into USC, University of the Pacific, or Santa Clara for biology/biochemistry?</p>
<p>Your case is a bit unusual, and I think asking us isn’t going to be very helpful. As I said in my first post, you need to contact USC, UofP or Santa Clara directly with your questions. Do it now (or soon) so that you don’t waste time/money by taking community college classes you may not get credit for later. BTW, I think your stats may be too low for USC and Santa Clara - but again, each school may interpret your academic past differently. And since it’s THEY who decide, talk to them and not to us.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help katliamom</p>