Community College Classes worth it?

Question

I am going to be a HS Senior. GPA 3.89. SAT I - 1720. SAT Bio-E: 680. SAT Math IIC - 710.

I am planning to take city college classes during the school year. I am planning to take Music Appreciation class in the fall semester.

The purpose of this is to help me get ahead in college credits or fulfill the 'GE' requirement according to the University of California. I'm also doing this to show the applicant reviewer that I am active outside of school, and that I am a student who is capable of taking challenges, with this college class as a scenario.

Now my question is, is this worth it? How much does the UC place city college attendance into importance or consideration into the applications?

I'm also a bit mixed up; When I complete the class, can I add it as a class to my HS GPA? How about College creds? Is it one way or the other only? Just wanted to clarify things up

Thank you very much guys. Yahoo Answers has been very helpful to me. Keep it up.

Answer 1

Aloha Mike!

Wow! I commend you on your awesome GPA and your great SAT scores! Keep it up!

As for taking community college (CC) classes while you're still in high school. That's great! When I was working at a local CC, high school students taking college courses was considered only for exceptional students that have already exceeded the high school curriculum in a certain subject area. For example, if a student took all the math classes offered at their high school, they would take a math class at a CC for extra credit and to get a head start on their college career. Normally they would need the approval of not only their parents but also of your high school to attend a CC as an Early Admit student.

I'm not sure how the UC System views taking coursework at City College, but I can imagine that as long as the course you are taking is transferable to a UC school, it will only help you by getting you that headstart on your GE requirements. And yes, it will look favorable to the admission committee when they evaluate your application.

As for your high school GPA, I don't think your grade from the CC course will impact it. Yes, it may be on your high school transcript as a transfer credit but I don't think they will also transfer your GPA. Ask your high school registrar about their policy on transferring college credit back to your high school.

I'm glad that Y!A has helped you. I truly enjoy sharing my knowledge of high education I have from my job with others. If I can help just one person, it makes spending time on Y!A truly worthwhile!

Best wishes!

Answer 2

WOW.... those are good test scores. O_O
WAY BETTER than mine. lol
anywho...

if your'e a high school student, taking community college classes are worth it when you get to college. Though i could tell you things they NEVER told me. Here's how it works:

1. Make sure the units of the classes you take are transferable to a UC. (check their catalog)
2. Research and find out the requirements for general ed. In the UC system there are different sections where you have to complete specific requirements. I think remember quite a few. Let me see.. 3 years of a foreign language (be sure to get good grades), english (easy way to do fulfill this requirement is to take AP english and score a 3 or higher), science (AP chem, AP physics, etc... then again get a 3 or higher), math (APs of any math and get at least a 3), and uhh...i forgot the rest.. you can take Humanities core when you get in UC and it will fulfill 3 sections of the requirements. Hard but hey? that's a good deal. hehe

Music is also a part of a requirement but i can't remember which class. You can check online to make sure if you want to. Im just giving out ideas that the information is out there. They just dont give it to you. >=0 *waves fist*
Now... *ahem* When you complete a class in a community college, the credits count to your high school and college grades. ^_^

Good luck with everything~! Im currently enrolled in UCI btw and you have WAY better scores than me. xD

Answer 3

I would normally agree that CCs are a good route but in your case it may not be, if you get accepted at University of California.

You have some very good credentials so far, your GPA is high and your SATs are high too. CC will generally be much easier and less stressful than high school, and if you didn't mention UC, I would recommend it highly.

However, to my knowledge, UC (especially Berkely) is hard to get into, and if they seen you took CC, they might be biased against that.

Consult your school counselor, they should know more than anyone on here.

Answer 4

From way far away, I would say your choice of course and reason for taking it are very poor. Going to community college is NOT "active outside of school" it is just another school. Active outside of school is volunteer work, music groups, church, tutoring, helping in the community and at home. Further, taking music appreciation, if it doesn't fit your college plans or your avocation is unlikely to impress anyone.
Since this is not an AP course, it doesn't enter into your HS GPA at all. It becomes part of your college record.

Answer 5

I think that if you have time to take them and dont have anything else planed for the summer you should take some.. I myself are going to take some classes. Its a great way to get some extra credits. If you want to graduate earlier.

Answer 6

Community colleges are much less expensive and I would consider starting there. It also is a better transition into the college environment as there are more one on one help available.

Answer 7

In my opinion community college classes are worth it. You save a ton of money and also you have all your college credits done and you can transfer out and go where ever you want to do what ever you want! :)

Answer 8

Man.. for being such a smart guy you sure are asking alot of questions.