Is "Unit Ceiling" a good reason to stay another year at CC?

[Geo16]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello.

There is a 'maximum units allowed' policy at UCLA. It's called Unit Ceiling and it says that I can't take more than 216 units for an undergraduate degree.

If I transfer next year, I must complete Physics, Biology and Organic Chemistry all at UCLA.
Because I'll hit the unit ceiling, I must do a post-bacc for a year or do a concurrent enrollment without transferring credits to UCLA.

If I stay at CC for another year, I can finish Biology, Physics and Organic Chemistry.


However, I'm not doing this to protect my GPA. I'm wondering if this is an "okay" reason to finish pre-requisites at community college.


Any comments or thoughts, please let me know!
Thank you very much for your time!

 

[lnguyen1412]

I finished my pre-reg before transfer to UC. I think it's fine to have your pre-regs at UC. My unit was 120 before I transfered, and those unit does not count toward my Undergraduate degree, but they become subject credits, I believe.
One more reason is taking pre-reg at UC is an advantage, but also costly. I don't think DO places emphasis on where you took your pre-regs.
I stayed 4 years at CC to complete all bio, chem, and physic before transfer to complete my undergraduate degree at UC btw.

 

[Geo16]

I finished my pre-reg before transfer to UC. I think it's fine to have your pre-regs at UC. My unit was 120 before I transfered, and those unit does not count toward my Undergraduate degree, but they become subject credits, I believe.
One more reason is taking pre-reg at UC is an advantage, but also costly. I don't think DO places emphasis on where you took your pre-regs.
I stayed 4 years at CC to complete all bio, chem, and physic before transfer to complete my undergraduate degree at UC btw.

Noice... so I can stay at CC for one more year.
And did you take 4 raw years or academic years? Your story gives me a big relief about staying. Also how do you feel about difficulty between CC and UC?

 

[lnguyen1412]

Noice... so I can stay at CC for one more year.
And did you take 4 raw years or academic years? Your story gives me a big relief about staying. Also how do you feel about difficulty between CC and UC?

I did take 4 raw years.
Feel like the same. Just UC faster since they are quarter systems

 

[Coltuna]

Noice... so I can stay at CC for one more year.
And did you take 4 raw years or academic years? Your story gives me a big relief about staying. Also how do you feel about difficulty between CC and UC?

I took all of my prereqs except Biochem at CC. I felt little difference as far as rigor of classes. Definitely more distractions though.

 

[Geo16]

I did take 4 raw years.
Feel like the same. Just UC faster since they are quarter systems

So 4 raw years.. Me too, it is technically 3rd academic year for me but I took one semester just prior to first year at CC. I ama take another year at CC woot woot!!!!!

 

[Geo16]

I took all of my prereqs except Biochem at CC. I felt little difference as far as rigor of classes. Definitely more distractions though.

I am planning to take Bio Chem ar UC... So there isnt a much difference in terms of rigors? Niiiiiiceeee. I was worried about BioChem!

 

[Coltuna]

I am planning to take Bio Chem ar UC... So there isnt a much difference in terms of rigors? Niiiiiiceeee. I was worried about BioChem!

For me anyways! I took Biochem as an 8 week summer class, so that was definitely one of my harder classes. Nothing really quite compares to Organic Chemistry though IMO; regardless of where you take it.

 

[Geo16]

For me anyways! I took Biochem as an 8 week summer class, so that was definitely one of my harder classes. Nothing really quite compares to Organic Chemistry though IMO; regardless of where you take it.

My goals in Chem courses is B.. doable? :/
Now it is making me worried.

 

[Coltuna]

Definitely doable. Shoot for an A! My advice for Organic Chem is practice problems, practice problems, practice problems.

 

[lnguyen1412]

Yeah. I have all As in prereg. That still lot of work dispite cc

 

[Geo16]

I took my first test in Gen Chem..
Professor told us to remember ionic elements on Nomenclature. So I did. But he gave questions heavily based on Polyatomic Ions... why.... 🙁 🙁 🙁
Now I feel very insecure enough to think that I only deserve a B.
But thank you.. I shall go for A's!!!

 

[68PGunner]

Knock out your prereqs out asap and start applying to schools. A year of delay is a year loss of physician income. BTW, course level difficulty in undergrad is nothing in comparison to med school. The coursework is the equivalent of taking 6-7 classes at the same time. Chill out and have some fun before signing up for the grinder.

 

[Geo16]

Knock out your prereqs out asap and start applying to schools. A year of delay is a year loss of physician income. BTW, course level difficulty in undergrad is nothing in comparison to med school. The coursework is the equivalent of taking 6-7 classes at the same time. Chill out and have some fun before signing up for the grinder.

I see.
And about a year loss: gonna apply to semester based schools this year. That includes Berkeley and USC... Hopefully I'll get into either one of them and no more 1 year delay! YAY. 😀

 

[Geo16]

@lnguyen1412 , Sorry, may I bother you just one more time?
I thought about a post-bacc work too.
What would you say about for this plan below?

Staying at CC for another year vs Doing a post-bacc for 1 year.
Staying at CC - transfer after 3 years
Doing a postbacc - transfer after 2 years + 1 year of post-bacc after graduation.

Both are the same in terms of timeline. I thought about just doing Chem & Phy or Chem & Bio if I transfer to UC.. And do a post-bacc for Bio or Phy 😛
How would Adcom view two situations? Same?

 

[lnguyen1412]

If your GPA is good, why would you want to do a post bacc?
My GPA at college is excellent. My GPA at UC is kinda average (3.2-3.4), then when aamc and aacomas calculated it turn out to be 3.5.
You should only consider a post-bacc if you want to repair your GPA badly and go to MD schools. I don't apply to MD because I realize my MCAT is not up to caliber with MD applicants. With DO, we have GPA repair so there's no need to do post bacc (wish I know about this).
In addition, post bacc cost more than 4 classes at cc.
Also, my major was biochemistry lol

 

[Geo16]

If your GPA is good, why would you want to do a post bacc?
My GPA at college is excellent. My GPA at UC is kinda average (3.2-3.4), then when aamc and aacomas calculated it turn out to be 3.5.
You should only consider a post-bacc if you want to repair your GPA badly and go to MD schools. I don't apply to MD because I realize my MCAT is not up to caliber with MD applicants. With DO, we have GPA repair so there's no need to do post bacc (wish I know about this).
In addition, post bacc cost more than 4 classes at cc.
Also, my major was biochemistry lol

Oh no no.. I meant to finish pre-reqs. Because if I'm hitting the unit ceiling after I transfer, I could take fewer classes and when I graduate, take the missing requirements at CC or Extension at UCs.

 

[Geo16]

Also, is B for Gen Chem 1 okay?
I've failed all of you (LOL), got 66% on the first exam. I can work my butt off for a B.
I'll just work harder next time and next general chemistry class.

 

[lnguyen1412]

It's ok. I failed my first gen chem B exam too. Those half-life and activity is hard. But I score 97+ for all the exams after and got A lol

 

[Geo16]

Damn, that's impressive.
It's realistic at this point (for me) to earn a B. I can perhaps do better at the exams next time and earn an A. An A on other two exams would probably land me at B. Perhaps then, I can go for an A 😉
But, for now, I am gonna work hard to secure at least a B.

 

[Mad Jack]

@lnguyen1412 , Sorry, may I bother you just one more time?
I thought about a post-bacc work too.
What would you say about for this plan below?

Staying at CC for another year vs Doing a post-bacc for 1 year.
Staying at CC - transfer after 3 years
Doing a postbacc - transfer after 2 years + 1 year of post-bacc after graduation.

Both are the same in terms of timeline. I thought about just doing Chem & Phy or Chem & Bio if I transfer to UC.. And do a post-bacc for Bio or Phy 😛
How would Adcom view two situations? Same?

Except won't you have your prereqs knocked out earlier by not doing the postbacc (assuming your postbacc consists of prereqs) so you'll be able to apply a year earlier?

 

[Geo16]

Except won't you have your prereqs knocked out earlier by not doing the postbacc (assuming your postbacc consists of prereqs) so you'll be able to apply a year earlier?

Whoa, was I stupid? That's right! I can apply on my senior year if I go with the former option.
That's an advantage. Now staying at CC for a 3rd year seems like a good choice.
If I knock out all pre-reqs, I don't have to be stressed about going to certain UCs (UCLA/Cal)

 

[lnguyen1412]

Damn, that's impressive.
It's realistic at this point (for me) to earn a B. I can perhaps do better at the exams next time and earn an A. An A on other two exams would probably land me at B. Perhaps then, I can go for an A 😉
But, for now, I am gonna work hard to secure at least a B.

You can always Pm me for help. I'm been a chemistry tutor for 6 years now at my college.

 

[Geo16]

You can always Pm me for help. I'm been a chemistry tutor for 6 years now at my college.

That sound really generous. I'll PM you with questions. Thank you very much!!!! 😀

 

[Geo16]

FML... Going to UC because I can't pay for CC. I wish I could stay a year longer.