Year off from school OR Community College?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to take a year off after high school or to attend community college immediately. Participants explore the implications of residency status, the SAT/ACT exam, and the transfer process to universities, particularly in California.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about being charged out-of-state tuition if they apply directly to a university after moving back to San Diego.
  • Another participant confirms that the SAT/ACT can be taken at any time, including after high school graduation.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of transferring from community college to a university, with some suggesting that it may depend on the student's engagement and academic choices.
  • Some participants propose that attending community college first could be beneficial for earning transferable credits and acclimating to college-level work.
  • One participant mentions that certain universities, like UCSD, may not accept transfer students unless they are at the junior level, while others suggest applying as a freshman after completing community college coursework.
  • There is a discussion about the potential benefits of specific community colleges, such as Southwestern College, which is noted for having talented physics professors.
  • Participants discuss the concept of "cross enrolling" in classes at a university while attending community college, with one participant expressing a lack of familiarity with the term.
  • Concerns are raised about the acceptance of community college credits if the student applies to a university as a freshman.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on whether to take a year off or attend community college immediately. While some advocate for community college as a beneficial pathway, others highlight potential challenges in transferring. There is no consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors that could affect residency status and the transfer process, including the need for a California driver's license and voter registration. The discussion also touches on the timing of university applications and the acceptance of community college credits.

Etienne
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Hi guys, I'm about to be a senior in High School, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

I am a San Diego native, but I currently live in Tijuana. I want to go back to San Diego to major in Physics, but I'm afraid that if I try to go straight into a university, I might get charged "out of state" even though I was raised in San Diego.

I recently read that I can take the SAT examn AFTER graduating High School. If this is true... is it convenient for me to take a year off from school after High School, move back to SD (with family) and study for the SAT, then applying to a university?

OR

Is it a better idea to attend a Community College right after High School, and try to transfer?

Can I take the SAT/ACT examns while in a community college?

HELP :confused:
 
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You can take the SAT/ACT whenever you want.

Be warned about starting at a community college, you might find it actually difficult to transfer that way.

Did you ever give up your California residency? Did you get a Mexican driver licenses, register to vote there ect, nit pay cally taxes on money earned, ect?
 
Um, nope. At least about my residency, I'm not sure... I get mail to my aunt's address.
As far as voting, driving, money, etc. None of that, I'm still under age.

It is very useful to know this about the SAT... definitely gets my hopes up!

I'm affraid of being 'stuck' in a community college, so It seems this option is better, :) thanks!
 
Etienne said:
Um, nope. At least about my residency, I'm not sure... I get mail to my aunt's address.
As far as voting, driving, money, etc. None of that, I'm still under age.

It is very useful to know this about the SAT... definitely gets my hopes up!

I'm affraid of being 'stuck' in a community college, so It seems this option is better, :) thanks!

Most schools like UCSD won't take transfer students unless you're at the junior level, you could still apply as a freshman after a year of CC but I'm not sure of you'd be given credit for your course work.

There's a chance your residency may still be California, you should go get a California drivers licenses and register to vote/draft there (if your male) as soon as possible. Applications for fall 2015 is coming up soon(if not already) if you plan on going to UC. They don't take mid year applications. You might want to talk to your folks about your plans now, and call the admissions office for further guidance.

Take act/sat as soon as feasible. You can always take them again later.
 
Thank you so much :)
I've mentioned my plans to my parents, mostly my mom... but now I got to break it doen for them. Thanks again, I'll start seeing into all that
 
Its only hard to transfer from a cc if you go for the wrong reasons. Ie hangout with the idiots on campus instead of studying, partying all the time, n taking teachers that give out easy A's thereby nrver challenging yourself intellectually.

It will be cheaper going to a cc, you get accustomed to college work, and it allows you chance to really think about your major.
 
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Community colleges can be really good for building-up your academic credits before admission to a university. What is wrong with this sequence: (1) Graduate from high school (2) Go to community college to earn most of your important transferable credits (3) apply for admission to university. ?

Would SAT still be needed if doing that route for transfer to a university?
 
You should just go to community college in my opinion. Southwestern college, for example, has a number of really talented physics professors so if you go there and cross enroll in one class at UCSD or SDSU per semester you will be fine.
 
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Yes, I guess that's really what makes it "difficult" to tranfer from a cc to a good university, slackers.
My uncle and godfather both transferred from Southwestern College to Cal Poly SLO and graduated as engineers, although this was in the 90's it is still very possible. If I go to cc, which I think is probably the best now, I will definitely be commited 100%

any thoughts on Southwestern College in comparison to San Diego City College?

Jorriss said:
You should just go to community college in my opinion. Southwestern college, for example, has a number of really talented physics professors so if you go there and cross enroll in one class at UCSD or SDSU per semester you will be fine.

I'm not at all familiar with the term "cross enroll"
anyone? :(
 
  • #10
Etienne said:
any thoughts on Southwestern College in comparison to San Diego City College?
Academically no, but it's pretty cool to go to school in downtown as opposed to Chula Vista. I could comment more on Southwestern College, but I didn't go to City so I can't comment as a comparison.


Etienne said:
I'm not at all familiar with the term "cross enroll"
anyone? :(
You can take upto one class at UCSD per semester at the same tuition rate as a community college.
 
  • #11
Jorriss said:
You can take upto one class at UCSD per semester at the same tuition rate as a community college.

That sounds awesome, I didn't know this at all! and I have two cousins that go to SWC...
 
  • #12
Etienne said:
That sounds awesome, I didn't know this at all! and I have two cousins that go to SWC...

I went to mesa college, wasn't horrible.


What I'm actually trying to warn you about by taking classes at a CC for one year is that you will still need to apply to university as a freshman. Your credits may or may not be accepted that way. I don't know.

What I do know is that to be a transfer student around here in SD you need to be at the junior level.
 
  • #13
Alright, that would be ok with me... I don't mind having to "start over" again, as a freshman as long as I actually get into the school I want,
 

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