@TheVisionary I don’t follow. You think that some students having an advantage (i.e. completing all recommended courses) translates into other applicants having a disadvantage as a consequence. That seems at odds with the position the UCs take (as there are a plethora of factors the UCs consider, such that having a recommended course or two missing will not necessarily be a huge disadvantage - especially for a major like PoliSci, that is competitive but not impacted).
Eh. Experience in a field is dissimilar from missing courses not offered at the CC. That is, the UCs don’t just look for the best applicants on paper - they want students who will likely fit in and do well after transferring.
Additionally - while the application process is competitive, such that one who cured cancer (etc.) would likely be selected over somebody who didn’t, that’s more a function of the competitive nature of college admissions than the likelihood that not taking a class offered at one’s college will not be held against you. There are ways in which one’s application, while missing prerequisite courses, can make a lasting impression, so as to win the spot over somebody who does have all of the prereqs completed. There are a large number of factors that go into the decision, and not completing courses that were unavailable to the applicant is a relatively minor factor.
Of course it’s not advisable to not complete all of the prerequisites for one’s major - if an applicant can bear to commute to a nearby CC to complete the prerequisites, doing so will make them stand out. But UC admissions are not so competitive that one will be expected to commute a long distance to take required classes, especially if doing so is extraordinarily inconvenient for them. Also, given the holistic admission process, the applicant is considered as an individual, and many factors are viewed. As such, the decision is only formulaic to an extent (GPA is the big factor here), with all other factors specific to the individual being considered.
If somebody is missing a prerequisite course that is offered at their college, then that will absolutely be held against them, and with fairly good reason (given certain exceptions, such as not being able to enroll in a class that is rarely offered). But if a prerequisite class is not offered at one’s CC, then they can’t expect students to go out of their way to complete it.
Forgive me if I come across as rude or indignant - I don’t mean to be. There have been a number of arguments on here that do not contribute to general discussion, and I respect you and your position, yada yada (formalities) - anyway, I don’t want to follow that trend. Given that you’re a PoliSci major, I presume you’re at least somewhat open to debate.