Confused...

nixietink · 03-03-2008, 04:32 PM

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum, but glad I found it. There is a WEALTH of information here.
I am looking to transfer to a UC in Fall 2009/2010 (depending on how my pre reqs and gpa look).
I am a psychobiology major. My first choice school is UCLA, and 2nd are a few other UC's. Here is my dilemma...
I've been using Assist for all my pre reqs, but they are different by school. For instance, UCLA requires physics for science majors, while the pre req for other UC's is general physics. There are also other varying pre reqs. What do you do in this type of scenario? I do not want to put all my eggs in one basket and just 'hope' I get into UCLA. I really want to keep my options open, but taking 2 separate physics classes seems silly, especially with all the other lab classes I am required to take. Anybody else been in the same boat?

Also, does each CCC call TAP something different? At my CCC they have something called TAA. When I asked about TAP, she said that TAA is the same thing.

samK2987 · 03-03-2008, 04:45 PM

I'm not too sure about TAP or TAA but yeah, I do believe they are the same. As far as your prerequisite problem, all schools require something a little different for each major as each major is distinct to each university. If your first choice school is UCLA, I would take all the prerequisites for that school and also take prerequisites for other schools. All the prerequisites count as transferrable classes anyway, its a good way of knocking off prerequisites for the number of schools while doing GE at the same time.

alansda · 03-03-2008, 04:59 PM

A TAA/TAG is a contractrual agreement between the student, the CCC, and a four-year college or university. Students who meet and maintain stated admission and major requirements are guaranteed admission to a specific four-year college or university.
TAP is exclusive to UCLA (and some CCC's also work with UCB) and it's basically taking the CCC's honor program to give you priority admission consideration for the College of Letters and Science. TAP is NO guarantee, though.

I was in the same boat as you, in regard to differing pre-reqs across the UC's, and I just prioritized. First finish the pre-reqs for your #1 choice, then see how you can fit in #2 choice, etc. You also have to take into account if the major is impacted and how strict they are about completing the whole sequence of pre-reqs. Ask this during Transfer Day, or when UC reps come to your college.

nixietink · 03-03-2008, 05:10 PM

The paper I signed is a 'Transfer Alliance Agreement'. Listed on the schools is Chapman, Pomona, UCLA, UCI, UCR, and UCSC, and you pick your school of choice.
Then below it says '(Insert school of choice) agrees to provide guaranteed priority admission consideration to the below named student'
I know that TAP is exclusive to UCLA...thats why I am confused about this TAA. The honors specialist at my CCC said it was the same thing...so I guess it's ok right? She just didn't even ask if my major fell into the College of Letters and Science...kinda weird.

Oh and that really stinks about the pre reqs.
Alansda...how many extra courses did you take that did not apply to your #1 choice?

poppin3000 · 03-03-2008, 07:45 PM

nixie--if I can give you any advice at all, take EVERYTHING your counselor says with a grain of salt.

The key is independent research and verification.

Call up UCLA and find out if the program you plan on participating in is valid. If you can't do that, then write emails to UCLA counselors or transfer counselors.

I've spent countless hours researching the transfer admissions process, and as a result I've only been really bitten in the ass ONCE. And the one time that happened I was prepared for it, and I resolved it through the proper channels.

But back to the main point--PLEASE double check with an LA official. best of luck.

kmzizzle · 03-03-2008, 08:07 PM

i agree with poppin
imo, i believe your counselor is wrong.

TAA/TAG are GUARANTEED agreements if you fufill such and such courses with a __ GPA or higher - and i'm pretty sure you can only pick one school to get guaranteed admission from their list of available schools

TAP is admission priority - no guarantee and can be for MANY different schools. ex: my local CCC west valley has TAP with - UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, Pomona, Pepperdine, Chapman, and the University of Santa Clara.

nixietink · 03-03-2008, 08:14 PM

I e-mailed someone with TAP at UCLA and received this response:

TAP is exclusive to UCLA. Other UC schools have similar programs that may have different names. I don't know what a "Transfer Alliance Agreement" is. It may be something particular to COC. I am copying Irene Bradbury, COC HITE/Honors Program Assistant, who may be able to answer your questions.

Mary

So she forwarded the e-mail to the ORIGINAL person I asked about TAP at my school.

Ugh...

kmzizzle · 03-03-2008, 08:24 PM

so what is your real question?>

alansda · 03-03-2008, 08:45 PM

whatever your counselors tell you, UCLA does not have any kind of guarantee with any CCC, just TAP which results in priority consideration. Your CCC may call their transfer program TAA, but UCLA won't be calling it that

*UCD Admissions* · 03-04-2008, 11:08 AM

In regards to major preparation the UC has developed a new website to assist transfer students looking into several UC campuses with one major. This way you can easily compare the requirements for this one major at the various UC campuses. The site is UCTransfer.org - Home and it has lots of useful information; however the "Paths to Transfer" section might be of more interest to answer your question.

In regards to TAA/TAG/TAP each campus that had a TAG program used to call it something different, UC Davis called it a Transfer Admissions Agreement (TAA). Then a couple of years ago, to avoid confusion, the UC system decided to pull these programs under one name as a Transfer admissions Guarantee (TAG). Now all UC agreements should be referred to as a TAG with the exception of UCLA's TAP program.

kmzizzle · 03-04-2008, 02:42 PM

but TAA/TAG are guaranteed while TAP is not right

nixietink · 03-04-2008, 04:05 PM

Right. TAA is guaranteed...thats why I was confused when I signed this. I am very much aware that UCLA has no admission guarantee program...
I am assuming that my CC has not updated their paperwork in quite sometime and that UCLA (and other UCs) will get whatever paperwork is needed for TAP.
What are other CCC required GPA to sign a TAP?

nixietink · 03-04-2008, 04:06 PM

BTW. Thank you UCD Admissions...that page has a TON of useful information.
I will be applying to UCD as well! My brother and sis are both graduates.