I could use some help picking classes for next semester...

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Is this your first semester of college?

I'm finishing my first, going into my second.

Yes, imo, they are not really the same. At least when I was taught, pre-cal was more about strengthening skills in algebra rather than derivatives and limits, which is what most of Cal 1 was for me.

I've heard that before. I guess I'll just drop it and get another class and CLEP out of that.

FYI precal has virtually nothing to do with the following calc 1 class. the only relation it has, that is utilized in class, is the sin, cos, tan of angles (in rad or deg). precal, as said above, is a strengthening of algebra, with a hint of derivitives and integrals. if you can clep out, do it. go straight to calc, if you love math, you won't need precal.

that being said, take as many core classes as you can, that you are SURE will transfer to the university of your choice. if there are some iffy classes, go to an advisor at the university or email/call them and ask them. if you can, and they say said iffy class is transferable, get that shit in writing no joke. after 3 years, I have realized advisors really try to **** you here. if it isn't in writing, they WILL BLAME you for not taking the appropriate class.

if you have all your cores or a majority knocked out, then start taking classes both toward your AA and if possible toward your BS or BA, whichever you ultimately want.

Core classes like Gen Ed & Electives, right?

Leave the major-specific toward the end?

Do you think I should drop CHM1045 & The Lab?

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

I would take as many classes at the community college as I can that will transfer.

 

[95ZJ 10+ year member]

I never take more than 12, can't deal with the stress involved and working 30+ hours a week.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

I would take as many classes at the community college as I can that will transfer.

That's another thing I was thinking about...

I went to UF's website (University of Florida, the school I hope to get accepted to.)

It says:

"Many students enter the University of Florida in the junior year as transfer students. Eligible transfer applicants must be in good academic standing at the institution(s) attended and must have completed 60 or more transferable semester hours from a regionally accredited institution, or an AA degree from an in-state public community college, or 60 transferable semester credits of course work listed in the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System from a Florida nonpublic postsecondary institution."

It kind of confuses me.

Does that mean I could just take 60 credits-worth of core classes and transfer as long as they're acceptable at said school I'm applying at?

Also, would this be better or worse in terms of chances of getting accepted versus getting an AA in EE?

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

I would ask to speak to an adviser at Florida.

 

[thieves 10+ year member]

First of all, make sure the program you're going in allows or requires you to take electives before you go take classes you don't need to graduate. Yes leave the major classes toward the end, there is always the possibility you could change your mind or transfer schools after you get into the university or even go to university that has the same program, but different classes. almost all core classes are universally transferable.

Realistically though, get everything in writing as far as your advising sessions go, I wish I had learned that a few years ago.

I don't know what that class is that you asked about, as every university and state has different acronyms for every class, but I would assume it is chem 1. If I'm right, that is one of the "weed out" classes, and if you don't think you can handle a heavier load with chem included, don't take it. But if it is a core class, better to get your math and sciences out of the way when you can.

 

[thieves 10+ year member]

That's another thing I was thinking about...I went to UF's website (University of Florida, the school I hope to get accepted to.)

It says:

It kind of confuses me.

Does that mean I could just take 60 credits-worth of core classes and transfer as long as they're acceptable at said school I'm applying at?

Also, would this be better or worse in terms of chances of getting accepted versus getting an AA in EE?

I think you're going to be better off persuing an AA degree. Think about how many "transferable" credits are actually available to you. do you really think you can get all that done in a year and a half, assuming you want to go in as a junior? if you do end up getting 60 transferable credit hours, you will be ahead of most juniors if you get in. an AA degree, along with good academic standing and said required GPA is almost a guaranteed acceptance.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

In my business program I went and got my Associates in business management, and was able to transfer almost all my credits to a university and am now only 7 classes away from a bachelors in Business Administration and Marketing.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

I think you're going to be better off persuing an AA degree. Think about how many "transferable" credits are actually available to you. do you really think you can get all that done in a year and a half, assuming you want to go in as a junior? if you do end up getting 60 transferable credit hours, you will be ahead of most juniors if you get in. an AA degree, along with good academic standing and said required GPA is almost a guaranteed acceptance.

Well, I've done the math...

60 original credits - 12 credits I just took = 48 credits.

48 credits - 17 credits I'm taking next semester = 31 credits.

31 credits - 17 credits I'd take the following semester = 14 credits.

14 credits / 3 credits (Since most / all CLEP tests are 3 credits) = 4.6 (~5, which allows me to take 16 credits in the second semester.)

Technically I can get it done in by Summer A. I just don't know what people mean by transferable credits and non-transferable. Well, that is to say I don't know which classes are and are not transferable.

 

[thieves 10+ year member]

again verify not only with the CC advisor but also with the university advisor about what they consider transferable and non transferable. if the CC is considered a "feeder" into the university you're trying to get into they should have a program that lists, either on the interwebz or in some brochure about which classes transfer and which don't, as well as what they transfer as. and what they transfer as will be key to determining what you have left to take once you get into said university.

a non transferable class would be like a vocational course that you can only take at the CC or something, regardless of its relation to the school's program or the field.

 

[jiggy2dmax 10+ year member]

If your planning on transferring, I would try not to take any elective classes. Take all your BS classes that are needed and as much of the Calc and Physics as you can. I would avoid taking t he upper division classes since you have no guarantee that they will transfer. I would also shoot for at least a Bachelors if not Masters.

Im a Junior doing MEC/EE....not fun but you'll make good money when your done. As a Intern now, I make what some people make yearly.

Lastly, as busy as you get, always find some time to get away from it all, you'll find you'll do alot better.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Man, I really should get paid to help people with their schedules. There are two things that you always need to consider.

First, you should always factor in your exam schedule when selecting your classes. Having a decent exam schedule is golden.

Second, you should always strive to keep preserve some lower level classes so that you can take them throughout your college career. The reason -- the ratio of male to female becomes more and more unfavorable as you get into the higher level classes. Unless you like spending the day with a bunch of hardlegs you should follow my advice.

Good luck.

 

[pilotbear 10+ year member]

Well, I've done the math...
60 original credits - 12 credits I just took = 48 credits.

48 credits - 17 credits I'm taking next semester = 31 credits.

31 credits - 17 credits I'd take the following semester = 14 credits.

14 credits / 3 credits (Since most / all CLEP tests are 3 credits) = 4.6 (~5, which allows me to take 16 credits in the second semester.)

Technically I can get it done in by Summer A. I just don't know what people mean by transferable credits and non-transferable. Well, that is to say I don't know which classes are and are not transferable.

you need to check with your choice in university before you take classes to see which classes they will accept, just like thieves said.

i just graduated from UCSB in june with my BA in environmental studies and a minor in music (also two years of chemistry). the most units i ever took was 16, but i was also doing research at the same time. definitely plan your classes around exam schedules. there is nothing worse than having 3 finals in the same day.

and like others have said, i would suggest not taking electives but rather finishing GE requirements. you don't want to be one quarter/semester away from graduating and find out you haven't satisfied one of the university's GE's. if you do this in a community college, you can focus on your upper division units at the university and not have to deal with all the other crap at the same time. but make sure to throw in one fun class here and there to keep your schedule somewhat sane. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Crzy 10+ year member]

i take 17 credits a semester to be a ME, id talk to ur advisor and not a forum who doesnt know about your school or major ha, but id suggest taking all ur stupid classes first if they allow you to do that as well as do ur major courses, so ur last 2 years u wont have any electives just major courses which are labs and such for mechanical engineering

 

[Seth_3515 10+ year member]

take your transferable classes then transfer to the university... otherwise you will be retaking classes that you took because the university does not accept them...