Community college to a top math/science school

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I am currently going to a local CC and will be transfering out for fall '10 after completing the Associates in Science program. I’ve developed a strong interest in my math and science classes and would like to pursue a double major in math and physics at a really good school then continue on to graduate school. I have pretty much breezed through CC. I have a 4.0 gpa, my teachers seem to like me, I placed 3rd in a school wide math contest this semester, work 15-30 hours a week as an auto-mechanic, and average 8 hours of sleep a night. I have very little extra curricular activities. I work a lot, attend church regularly, have a few hobbies (cycling, rubik’s cubes, reading), and joined an honors club at school with whom I’ve participated in a few service events. In high-school I had no intentions on going to college so I worked practically full-time and took the easiest classes I could. No physics or chemistry and the most advanced math class I took was algebra II. I was on the wrestling team and was a captain my senior year although I have no accomplishments to show for it as my Junior and Senior years with ended a month and a half short by injuries. I have no clue what my class rank or gpa was. I know I made A’s and B’s though.</p>

<p>Couple of questions:</p>

<p>I have always thought to transfer to North Carolina State Univ. as it is in state and a pretty good school. I also have some friends in the area. I have been considering going to a private college such as Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, or Rochester Institute of Technology instead. I like the idea of smaller classes and schools. I feel that I would have a better chance to do research or stand out somewhat instead of becoming a just a number.</p>

<p>What would make these schools better than a good state University? </p>

<p>What would be the benefit of transfering to these schools? </p>

<p>What other Universities should I consider applying to.</p>

<p>What are the chances of a Community College student getting accepted into a top math/science school? What should I do now to get into a nice university?</p>

<p>How much harder will these schools be? Community college seems way too easy. I made a 99 in Calculus II this semester (extremely lenient grading and easy test) and have not come anywhere near a B average in a class. To get an A on an English paper all you needed was readable grammar and a main topic. I have not been challenged here.</p>

<p>Transfer questions:</p>

<p>If a school limits the number of credits that can be transfered in at say 60 and I have 70 hours, what happens to the surplus classes?</p>

<p>Do community college credits transfer well to a private university?</p>

<p>What classes will I probably have to retake?</p>

<p>How much financial aid can I expect to receive? I do not qualify for financial aid at the community college but there is no way I can spend $30 - $50,000 a year on school. I know I can get $5,000 as part of the club that I am in. How is the financial aid at public schools, it seems like there are few merit based scholarships and there is stiff competition for those.</p>

2

<p>That’s a great question.</p>

<p>although i’m no expert and not studying anything related to Math or physics right now, my dad was an engineering professor so throughout the years i have became quite familiar with the Tech programs at few of these schools. </p>

<p>I first want to state my opinion that RPI and RIT at not at the same level, maybe in some concentrations, but RPI is more prestigious in general.</p>

<p>NC state is a great school and a few of my friends go there, the big difference would probably come down to class size and the level of professor that they are able to attract, even instructors at a undergrad level. i have found out that it’s pretty important for a school to be able to get great teachers. and RPI or WPI will have somewhat of an edge over NC state. their level of research should not differ too much. funding depends on so many different variables that it’s hard to tell. and specially in a very specific program. </p>

<p>since you are already set on what to study and they are fairly broad topics, you should look at each individual program and how other people react to them. RPI might be better overall, but NC state could have an awesome Math Department. </p>

<p>if you are a good student, you have a very good shot at NC State, and another one i would recommend, since you said you are local of the NC area would probably be VA Tech. </p>

<p>I would say that classes will be hard and i think that you are probably personally over qualified for CC, i think you are a good student but just didn’t “apply” (i hate that word) yourself in HS. </p>

<p>if you get rejected fro NC state, i would still try to move up, maybe apply to App State, i know you want to go to a better school but i think that if something goes wrong, it would be nice to have a stepping stone, better than staying in CC. </p>

<p>most school will only transfer 60 credits. some university look down on CC credits so they might be a half credit for every cc credit or 2/3. </p>

<p>it depends on what credits they take and don’t take. they can say that a class you take does not meet their standard and you wouldn’t get any credit.</p>

<p>and your financial aid depends on your family situation, but i know that a private school usually give out more aid.</p>

<p>but good luck to you and i hope i helped you a bit.</p>