Should I apply as a freshman anyway?

Question

I recently graduated, as valedictorian, at sixteen years old. Due to age limitations I decided to take a year off before attending University. I thoroughly enjoy learning; however, and deemed it discerning just to take two classes at community college to prepare me for college. I never intended to transfer the credits I just didn't want a lapse in my education. Now I have been informed by college counselors that they will no longer consider me a freshman. I arduously worked to graduate early and earned a 3.9 GPA in the process. I also have a 700 SAT score in verbal and a 600 in math. According to the counselors though, all that I have worked for is negligible now because I'm no longer a freshman and have to apply as a transfer. Transferring to a UC school entails earning sixty credits at a community college, which I cannot do because the environment will suffocate me. I thrive in certain environments, ones which community colleges cannot afford. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

That's a special quirk of the UC system. From what I can tell - I am only somewhat familair with their system - they only accept juniors as transfers. They either accept you right out of high school, or else after you've completed your Associates/sophomore year. But other universities make decisions in other ways.

Your problem is that you took these classes post-graduation. It's not the same as when enrolled highschool take courses at local colleges for AP credit or the like. You actually graduated, then enrolled, even if only for two classes.

Set up a meeting with your old highschool guidance consellor. I think you're going to need some help with this one, because the rules for who is, and who isn't, a transfer student vary by university.

For example, UMass Amherst defines a transfer student as a high school graduate or GED recipient who has enrolled at a college as a full-time degree student or who has attempted 12 or more credits of college study as a part-time student. If this isn't you, you apply as a freshman.

At Colorado University, a transfer student is anyone who's taken a college class after graduating from high school.

Harvard considers people transfer students if they've completed one year elsewhere. Less, and you apply as a freshman.

And then how they evaluate your record varies by college as well. At CU, so long as you've taken fewer than 13 college credits, they look at your high school record. But more than 13? They look at your college record.

So, again, it varies by university. Some universities will consider you a transfer student. Some will not. You may need some help wading through all of this, so again, contact your old guidance counsellor to see if they can help.

And double check with the UCalifornia counsellor. Call a different UC admissions office and see what they say. But again, my interpretation is they only admit out of highschool, or after two years of college.

Answer 2

You can drop your classes or transfer the 2 classes you took. "Freshman" is just a term honestly. You don't have to earn 60 credits to transfer and if they told you that, it may be because a University cannot deny a transfer from a Community College who has received their Associates Degree. Even if the classes arn't transferable you can still transfer. Who cares if you won't be a "Freshman" your first year. Honestly it really does not matter. I know students who have no clue what they are because they have added and dropped classes and taken summer classes and took semesters off. I spent 5 years in college before I received my Bachelors. You have the highschool grades to prove your a top student, so don't think certain schools won't make exceptions just because you went to community college. I think you'll find that there is more flexibility to this situation if you speak with advisors at a school you wish to attend. Top schools want brilliant students to make themselves look good. It sounds shallow but there is a lot of prestige in saying your the best I suppose.

Answer 3

I think that counselor is misinterpreting things. I have seen students enter with 18 or more credits just from AP courses who have never taken a community college course or the like. They still apply as freshmen and are admitted as such. In many cases those credits help later on when they are allowed to schedule earlier than othe students based on the number of credits they have on the record.
A friend of mine had a son enter Princeton with enough AP credits to be considered a sophomore. They didn't consider that a drawback in any way.

Answer 4

I really don't know what to tell you other than you need to speak with the admissions counselors at the universities you're interested in. You are obviously very bright, and I would think any university would want you in their freshman class. Maybe an arrangement can be made? I'm surprised no one spoke to you about this as potential problem when applying to universities prior to you taking classes at the community college.

Answer 5

As far as I'm aware, universities always ask you how many credits you have to transfer. If it's over 60 or not. In the latter case, they usually treat you like a freshman, where you supposed to show your test scores, HS diploma and transcripts etc. Although it might be different in some schools. Remember, whatever you do in CC or any higher education institution, you always have to supply trascripts.

Answer 6

i can't think of that each college might evaluate you a circulate pupil, even nonetheless while you're managing state faculties, they might have weird and wonderful regulations. incorporate some inner maximum faculties on your application technique, searching for faculties that grant benefit scholarships for intense grades and SATs. multiple Jesuit faculties grant fairly beneficiant benefit scholarships--those i know of on the East Coast are Canisius college in Buffalo, long island,which my daughter attends on a benefit scholarship, and St. Joseph's in Pennsylvania, which my chum's son attended on a benefit scholarship. those scholarships decreased their expenses to the state college point. Many inner maximum faculties won't settle for community college classes besides, so it does no longer be a element (i know this is actual at Canisius). circulate forward and observe as a freshman who took a year off after intense college. See in case you may get advice letters out of your HS instructors/coaching counselor. actually, there is a few college smart sufficient to renowned what a inspired, fantastic addition you would be to their college.

Answer 7

I would leave off the classes at the community college and apply as a freshman. YOu are doing awesome. A short break should not make any difference in that.

Answer 8

Just don't tell them about the classes you took. You don't need the credit anyway.

Answer 9

from what i can see you are a brilliant student,i think my university would be able to accomodate you .i can be able to help if you could tell me whatv program you would want to read?then we could continyu from there.

Answer 10

if the admissions board is catholic all you have to do is sleep with them since ur a guy, they will let u in.