How important Is it to build resume as a CC transfer student?

Transfer Students
1

Currently attending a California community college looking to transfer to a private/out-of-state school:

In high school I had an impressive background of extracurriculars (ASB President), experiences (internships), programs I attended (Boy’s State), awards, as well as a decent academic profile (4.0+ GPA, AP, Honors)… but it did not land me into the 4-year colleges that I wanted.

I know my CC has articulation agreements with UCs and CSUs that benefit us transfer students, but my desire has always been attending elite private universities (USC, UPenn, Princeton) that don’t necessarily have these “agreements” I might be jumping the gun to assume I can attend these universities straight out of a CC, but I know it has been done.

Contrary to my experience as a high schooler, is it necessary that I should take part in clubs, internships, volunteer experiences, etc when I am transferring from a CC to a private university?

Anyone have similar transfer stories?

2

For UCs and CSUs, no, but for certain privates your resume matters a lot. Keep in mind that certain ones like Princeton prefer students with a story to tell…so there should be something that makes you really stand out.

This varies from school to school but at most for transfer you still have to do more than just top grades to be competitive in most cases.

3

Our relative transferred from CC to USoCal. She didn’t have the stamina to do ECs in her CC, so she really didn’t do much. She did get the best grades she could and worked with the USC transfer admissions folks to be sure course ms she took would transfer if she was accepted.

She applied after her 1st semester and was admitted to start after completing her 3rd semester.