<p>Questions are good, much better than not asking and being wrong.</p>
<p>Bomer is correct, Berkeley TAP is not open for everyone like UCLA’s TAP. I’d email or call to find out the requirements, but I think it is something like: low income OR first generation OR minority student.</p>
<p>I’d take introductory classes for both and see which you prefer.</p>
<p>You’ll find a lot of that happening, where one UC has a major in a specific category, or requires a ton of math, or some random class that other UCs don’t want. It is super important to read and understand the ASSIST page so that you don’t miss anything.</p>
<p>Also, SMC is an excellent school! It also has a ton of international students with counselors and a center just for them! I’d advise you to look over this <a href=“http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/Scholars/Pages/Applying.aspx”>http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/Scholars/Pages/Applying.aspx</a> , which is the SMC TAP program. Don’t worry about the Jan 7 deadline, that’s only for Winter/Spring 2015. You can apply in the late Spring/Summer for Fall 2015.</p>
<p>International student page: <a href=“http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx”>http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx</a></p>
<p>Sorry this is super long, but I have one last piece of advice. Take the math and english assessment seriously! It makes no sense to have to start in math or english classes that are below your level and catch up!!</p>