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 took the classes after not during HS). 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.

Answer 1

i appreciate that u use ur mind in good way and u thinking alot before doing anything
good work

Answer 2

No offense, but you seem like a bit of an insufferable intellectual snob to me. I would think you would be bright enough to do your own research!!!!

Your counselor was wrong. He/She was speaking of a junior level transfer. There are plenty of other options.

Lower-Division Transfer (From the UC website)


The University admits some transfer students before they reach junior standing, if they have met specific requirements.

If you were eligible for admission to the University when you graduated from high school  – meaning you satisfied the Subject, Scholarship and Examination Requirements, or were identified by the University during your senior year as eligible in the local context and completed the Subject and Examination Requirements in the senior year  – you are eligible for transfer if you have a C (2.0) average in your transferable college coursework.


If you met the Scholarship Requirement in high school but did not satisfy the 15-course Subject Requirement, you must take transferable college courses in the missing subjects, earn a C
or better in each required course and have an overall C (2.0) average in all transferable coursework to be eligible to transfer.

For more information about the Subject, Scholarship and Examination requirements, see www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/state/
eligibility.html.

Answer 3

I can't imagine that every college would consider you a transfer student, although if you are dealing with state colleges, they may have bizarre rules. Include some private colleges in your application process, looking for schools that offer merit scholarships for high grades and SATs. A number of Jesuit colleges offer quite generous merit scholarships--the ones I know of on the East Coast are Canisius College in Buffalo, NY,which my daughter attends on a merit scholarship, and St. Joseph's in Pennsylvania, which my friend's son attended on a merit scholarship. These scholarships reduced their costs to the state college level. Many private colleges won't accept community college courses anyway, so it wouldn't be a factor (I know this is true at Canisius). Go ahead and apply as a freshman who took a year off after high school. See if you can get recommendation letters from your HS teachers/guidance counselor. Surely, there is some college smart enough to recognize what a motivated, wonderful addition you would be to their school.

Answer 4

I think you should apply as a freshman. Altought i wasn't as young i also took a year off between high school and college. I took the time to pursue some international photojournalism opportunities as well as taking more classes. I think especially if you have been active in your off year schools will recognize that you are hard working and have initiative, not just that you took a year off to watch T.V. also, if you are having trouble with the college counselors, you should consider applying to much smaller schools. My college has less than a thousand students and because of this the admissions office is very open to "non-traditional" students. The admissions office at my school was very flexible and willing to examine my time off and my qualifications. Good luck!

Answer 5

Have you tried talking to a transfer advisor at both schools? They can provide more information about the process. There might be an exception to the rule for the 60 credits. I have included the page on what they look for on admissions.

Answer 6

I would talk to each college individually about it. College counselors tend to be very helpful because their job is to get to go to their school.

Two classes at a community college should not change your status. That's what, 6 credits? I know at my school, you need at least 14 credits to be considered a second semester freshman.

Also, maybe think about not rushing yourself through college like you did High School. Seriously, you learn as much from your experiences in school as you do from your classes and by rushing through, you're cheating yourself. This is just my personal opinion from my own high school and college experiences and observing friends who skipped grades in high school and others that are rushing to graduate in 3 years. Missing out on social experiences is just not worth it.

Answer 7

look at some private colleges. in you live in california theres occidental college (funny name but its a private college) in los angeles and its a little expensive but you would probably be able to get a full scholarship because you graduated as a valedictorian and your sat scores.

Answer 8

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