jfk

I'm currently nearing my junior year of high school and I plan to go to CC after I graduate and hopefully into Haas after two years. I was wondering what classes and how many I should take first starting from this summer as well as during the fall and spring semesters? (as I get out at 12:35 everyday in my senior year) Should I be doing my IGETC and Breadth first? Maybe a pre-req or two? Perhaps get my physical and bio sciences out of the way as they are the more time consuming classes? Does it really matter if I start taking pre-reqs this early on? I'd like to be real active with clubs and other ECs during CC but I don't want to put a burden on myself then with all my classes so I want to start early.

alansda

FYI: IGETC is NOT recommended for Haas applicants since it already has extensive major pre-reqs.

jfk

Yeah but the problem is that I still want to complete IGETC for my fall back school (UCLA, UCSD) in case I don't get into Haas as I don't want to put everything out on the line. Besides, isn't it only a few more classes to complete IGETC as a lot of the reqs are similar to Breadth?

kenf1234

Since you are starting early, I think taking breadth requirements now is a great idea. Whatever path you end up taking, they will help you. Take some relatively easy classes (areas of strength for you), just make sure to get As. Make sure they are UC transferrable, of course, and fulfill IGETC requirements.

Like I said, getting a head start is smart, just make sure you are taking courses in your areas of strength, so you can earn As. My strategy would be to get easy things out of the way early, so you have more time to devote to more challenging coursework later.

If you are weak in math, that might be something you can work on too.

jfk

How many classes do you suggest I take during my senior year in high school? Seems like there are a lot of classes for the Fall that are only around 2-3 hours and meet only once or twice a week and I get out at around 12:30 from school everyday.

Math is an area that I'm kind of iffy on but that's probably due to the fact that I didn't try too hard in high school. I'll more than likely be put into a lower level math class like Inter. Algebra after taking the placement exam, however, I am slated to take AP Calculus next year and will work very hard to pass the exam. Which brings up a small dilemma... should I just start from Inter. Algebra and start working on getting my math classes in so that I can get up to Calculus 2 in time by the Spring before I transfer? Or should I take some other classes instead and just hope I pass the AP exam? Does it look better if you're done with all your major pre-reqs by the time you send in your app as opposed to by the Spring before you transfer?

kenf1234

I would recommend taking a math review class over the summer to prepare yourself for AP Calculus. Then take AP Calculus. Then take Math 1A (whatever they call it) at community college. So you have already covered the material in AP Calculus, but you take the course from scratch at community college, you already know the material and get a good grade. I wouldn't overdo the number of courses you take next year, I would take one per semester, or at least, one the first semester, then if that went very well, you could take two the second semester. Focusing on your math skills is very important.

You want to be done with most of your pre-reqs but you don't need to be done with all of them.

There is no exact science to all this. Nothing you can do will guarantee entry to Haas as a transfer. But the most important thing is to get high grades, that is most important above all.