Transfer to Berkeley or come in as a freshman?!?

californiankid
Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:37:20 +0000

Hi everyone! So I recently got accepted to Berkeley for Spring 2014 as a pre-Haas/pre-business major. Since I got accepted for the spring, and FPF is filled up, I would attend a community college for the first semester/quarter of my freshman year.

My main issue right now, actually, is: Should I continue at a community college for my first two years (and then transfer to Berkeley), or should I go to Berkeley starting spring semester of my freshman year?

I know that to many of you reading this right now, I may sound insane. Why would I WANT to go to a community college if I’ve already been accepted to Berkeley? For many people at community colleges, Berkeley is the end result of community college; if I already have that end result offered to me, why would I reject and risk not getting into Berkeley in the future? Let me explain my reasoning.

1. I know the first two years consist mainly of GE’s and pre-reqs, which can easily be taken at community colleges. At CC’s, I would have to do half the work, AND I’d get much better grades as well as more individualized attention from professors. Personally, I don’t understand the “downside” or “cons” of bypassing GE’s by taking them at a CC instead of Cal.

2) I want to be a Business Administration major, and I really do not have a backup. This is because I want to go into accounting/investment banking, and the typical backup major, Econ, wouldn’t provide me with the skills I need to go on in those fields. At Cal Day, I actually talked to a Cal advisor, and she told me NOT TO GO TO BERKELEY if I wanted to go into accounting because it wasn’t guaranteed that I would get into Haas/get the classes I need (for certification exams and such). By applying as a third-year transfer student, I would be able to apply directly to Haas and see if I get admitted or not (as opposed to getting rejected and being left hanging).

–> Add on to that: I don’t consider myself the super brainy or really intellectual type, which I know most of the pre-Haas kids are. Being pre-Haas, in my mind, is like being in high school all over again (it’s like a “rat race” to reach a desired goal): you have to keep your grades really high, get involved in tons of EC’s, do leadership positions, internships…etc… but unlike high school, you’re competing with just Cal kids, aka some of the smartest kids in the country. To me, that’s a lot of pressure and stress, and I don’t know if I’d be able to do that.

3) When I was applying to schools, I thought I wanted to be a science major, so I applied to mainly science-strong schools (i.e. Davis, San Diego…etc). If given a second chance at applying, I would be able to apply to more business-strong schools (obviously Cal, USC, NYU…etc).

4) Going to community college for two years would be a “transition” period so to say. At this point in my life, I’m not ready to go to a really good business school if it is all the way across the country, like NYU, or Columbia (even if I do get accepted). Two years later, I believe that I would be ready to do that, if that’s what was best for my career.

But I also realize the cons of this potential decision. I may not get into Berkeley at all, thereby losing out on one of the best opportunities I’ve ever been presented with. And also, I’ll miss out on the traditional “college experience.” I also know I’ll have to deal with lots of people’s judgments & criticisms but eh.

Please let me know if you know anyone whose done this (gotten in as a freshman but chosen to transfer)! I’d appreciate any opinions! Thanks :)