Community college to a top math/science school

dmoreau
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:06:15 +0000

Hey guys,

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.

Couple of questions:

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.

What would make these schools better than a good state University?

What would be the benefit of transfering to these schools?

What other Universities should I consider applying to.

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?

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.

Transfer questions:

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?

Do community college credits transfer well to a private university?

What classes will I probably have to retake?

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.