I'm going to community college after a year at a state school, grades?

Question

After highschool last year I went straight into a california state university--Big mistake. After a year at this state university I have learned I just don't like it there, in fact I hate it. From the low expectations of the professors , to the lazy student body, this college just doesn't feel like college. SO, I have decided I want to go to community college, (something I should have done in the first place ) and transfer to a UC or a private school or at least a better state college.

Despite hating the environtment at the CSU I was going to, I did good got A's and B's on all my classes except three that I failed. So heres my question: If I decide to leave this CSU and enroll at a community college, (I will transfer the courses from the state uni to the cc, entirely A's and B's except for three F's), and finishing my second year at this cc in hopes of transferring to a UC or a private school, will those three bad grades affect me?

I will be retaking those three courses in community college...

Answer 1

I have experience with all three public university systems, although I attended a UC right out of high school.

First, even though only classes with passing grades transfer over to the CC, all your college grades will be considered when you apply to a UC. So the three F's you have will really bring down your overall GPA. Most CSU's I've seen will let you replace the first four repeated courses with the better grade which is also the case for UCs. Usually you will have to repeat the exact same course. I am sure you don't want to go back to your CSU school but if you talk to an academic advisor, I am afraid they will probably tell you the same thing. There is a chance that you may be able to retake them over at the CC but things get more complicated because are you a CSU student or CC? I think you should also talk to UC admission about repeat grade policy because they will have the final saying. It's the UC you are trying to please, not the CC.

Second, CCs have TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) to UCs. If you qualify, this is definitely the way to go. (If you knew about this in high school, you would have probably gone to a CC). You will need a minimum of 2.8 GPA in 60 transferable units. As the name says, you will gain admission to a UC, although I believe Berkeley and LA don't have this program. Talk to the transfer center at you CC because from what I have seen from Yahoo, you are not the first one to go from a CSU to CC in hopes to transfer.

Just make sure you do a thorough research on all the policies before making decisions. This will involve writing emails and making phone calls and although not always pleasant, they are necessary steps. It would not be wise to assume anything.

Answer 2

Yes, because the bad grades, as well as the good grades are all on your transcript. What I would suggest is to study real hard for 2 semester before you transfer, and in those 2 semesters only get As or A-s, and not Bs. College admission office are open to students with some bad grades, as long as they see a lot of improvement. So, if you can prove that the bad grades were only in the beginning when you first got into college, and now you have mastered studying skills. Then you have a large change of getting in a good school.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The overall gpa will be reduced by the Fs. But any effect can be overcome-- the worst of which is any negative emotional effect this may have on you, so I give this encouragement...
some courses and instructors just don't deserve your A.

I got a BA and a teacher certificate, and several Fs along the way.

Just now, answering you gives me a new perspective:
The grades I get, are not given to me, they are the grades I give to the course/instructor -- my Fs were recorded for the courses I considered to correspond with that value, likewise with other grades.

Bad grades affect you only if you let them, especially if you've gotten them already and continue to carry them in your mind when you should only be thinking what you are doing now, not what you've done.

Those Fs will get older and older and sink deeper and deeper into forgotten history as you move on in school.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. What I would recommend- take all the proper General Ed courses. Make sure you work very hard to get the highest grades you can- when you feel you are slipping- take time to speak with the professor. If the professor is not helpful, than speak with the department for which they are teaching. When you have a high GPA, it is easier to get into schools like UCLA, USC, and many others- but it is also best to make sure your courses will help you in the long run. I took art courses at a local college before going to USC, which gave me a high GPA to go to USC, but I regret not having taken my GEs at the cheaper school.

Answer 5

Can you retake those three courses at the community college? If so, they will only have a marginal effect. If they remain on your transcripts as Fs, they will hurt you.