I've noticed that we've got a lot of people in high school or CCC Freshmen asking questions on the forum. I thought this might be a good place for some general advice for those proactive folks just starting their CCC career. So:
General advice for high schoolers or others just starting out at a CCC IGETC
What is IGETC? IGETC is a series of courses that you can complete at any CCC. Once you complete IGETC, you will be certified as having completed your general education requirements at whatever UC or CSU you go to. If you're spending two or three years at a CCC, it's probably in your best interest to complete IGETC. Why? Let's say you're looking at ending up at one of three different universities. Rather than complete GE requirements for each school, you only have to complete one: IGETC. Even if you're pretty certain that you want to go to one school, your plans might change, or you might not be able to find a set of classes at your CCC that will satisfy your university's GE requirements. Complete IGETC at your CCC, and you'll _know_ that what ever UC or CSU you go to you won't have to do any more GE work.
There are some people who should not complete IGETC, however. Some majors, for example, have so many major pre-reqs that they benefit from reduced GE requirements. Use assist.org to explore your major at your prospective universities; it will state whether or not IGETC is recommended.
Your individual schools will consider whether or not you have satisfied their GE requirements when reviewing your application. You can satisfy this either through the completion of IGETC or by satisfying that school's GE requirements through CCC transfer classes. Not satisfying your prospective school's GE requirements does not mean you will be rejected, but it makes you less competitive.
Major Pre-Reqs
Major pre-reqs are those lower division--lower division means Freshman or Sophomore level--classes that it might be possible to complete before you transfer to a four year institution. Every university may have different major pre-reqs even for the same major, but they're usually similar. Additionally, you may not be able to satisfy every major pre-req using courses that your school offers. Use assist.org to find out, for every university you hope to attend, what pre-reqs you can fulfill at your CCC.
If I understand correctly, if you have the opportunity to satisfy a pre-req at your CCC but do not then it may be counted against you. Whereas, if your CCC does not offer a course to satisfy a major pre-req at your prospective school than it will not count against you. In the interest of saving time and money, however, you might try to find a CCC that offers a pre-req satisfying course online. Use assist.org and the California Virtual Campus page (
California Virtual Campus » About CVC » California Virtual Campus) to find applicable courses.
Course Planning
To complete IGETC, you have quite a bit of choice as to which courses you'd like to take. Make a list of all of the courses you want to take to complete its requirements. Then, make a list of all of the major pre-req courses that are available at your CCC. Keep in mind any required courses you'll have to take before you can take any of the above classes.
In general, it's a good idea to complete both sets of classes at an even rate. You might consider planning to complete your major pre-req courses by the Fall session prior to your transfer; it might make your application more competitive. IGETC need only be completed by the Spring prior to your transfer. Spread these classes out over the two--or three--years you plan on attending your CCC, and then feel free to fill your schedule in with some personal interest classes.
Finally, be sure to get a counselor to review your plan in case you misunderstood the requirements for IGETC or your major. IGETC can be a little confusing.
Fin
Sorry, this was all a bit hastily written. There's some good information there, more then my counselors ever told me...
--Joe
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