university of california, riverside (UCR) or pasadena city college (PCC)?

Question

I've applied to the main UCs in California and i've only been admitted to UCR. I know that UCR is not the best UC but I also know that it is getting better. A problem I have with UCR is that when I applied for college in November, I didnt apply there because it wasnt exactly where I wanted to go (I applied to ucr in mid-jan.). And the problem with PCC is that "what if i dont transfer to a better school?" question in my mind 24/7. I have asked many of my friends, teachers and family members about this situation and some think that UCR is okay and not as bad as everyone says, some think its hard to transfer, and some just tell me to go to ucr/pcc. My main goal is to attend pharmacy school during my graduate years at USC. So in your opinion, what is the best way for me to reach USC? UCR or PCC? (I need all the help I can get so I can make a decision I dont regret.)
(3.4 UC gpa, sports, involved with student body, officer of most clubs i've joined, volunteer@hospital, biochem major)

Answer 1

I would second the community college recommendation. I dropped out of High School but am now transferring to U.C. next semester. So far I have been accepted by all the U.C. schools except for L.A. and Berkeley whom I am still waiting for.

One major advantage to Pasadena is that they have TAG agreements that will guarantee a place at Davis or San Diego if you meet the requirements. So if you want to go to a school that is better then Riverside, that might be your ticket. Just make sure to do the work and not get stuck at the community college like so many do.

Answer 2

Although you have to make the ultimate decision, let me tell you about a few things that you may not have considered.



I think most people will agree that besides Merced, which is new, UCR is the least prestigious in the UC system. I don’t know how many of their students make it to USC Pharmacy school, so I won’t comment further on whether it is the right school for you. Perhaps you can find out the admission statistics through either USC or UCR.



Now for PCC, or any JC in general, if someone told you that you are guaranteed admission to a UC such as UCI or UCSD but you have to take certain classes and keep up a certain GPA, do you think you will be able to do it? The exact units you need are 60 units (two year’s worth) and a 3.0-2.8 GPA. What I am talking about is a program called Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG).



Of course, it won’t come without hard work. You will have to keep away from distractions for two years and keep up a B average or better. At a JC, the classes will be considerably harder than high school. Also you required to take certain classes and some of them can be difficult. I mean you are not taking Intro to Weight Lifting or Music Appreciation classes here.



One thing I have to tell you about JCs is that large percentage of the people are not very serious and you may fall in with the wrong crowd. Also if you choose the JC route, you will miss out on the traditional college life such as living in the dorms away from parents. When you transfer after two years, you will be at a new school, possibly knowing no one.



There is also an option of transferring from UCR to another UC campus. Normally you do this after two years at UCR. Since you are considered “transferring up”, you will need excellent grades. Also keep in mind that when UCs admit transfer students, priority is given to the JC students, not the lateral UC transfers.



So the question is, are you willing to sacrifice two years for a chance of greater gain? Also different JCs have TAGs with different UCs so if you have a particular UC in mind, you may want to look besides PCC. I believe TAG is not available for UCLA and Berkeley although there are programs that will better your chances for admission. Of course, you can apply straight without the TAG but it will keep you motivated.



BTW, I believe SMC has the best transfer rate, although I could be wrong, so I included thier website also.

Answer 3

That is so false what someone said that what matters is what one did and not where one went. Where one went is probably as important as what one did. In this new society we have there is prejudice from schools. They prefer to say their graduate students come from UCLA any day than San Francisco State. Even if the UCLA graduate is 0.5 GPA points below he'll have more chance the the SFSU student.



I would NOT go to UC Riverside under ANY circumstance. Just go to a community college. If you do a 2.4, you'll be admitted as a tranfer to UC Riverside, but if you do much better, you can go to a fantastic school like Davis, Irvine, UCLA or UCSD. If you do under a 2.4 in community college, chances are you'd have failed at UC Riverside too, so at least you saved money being a failure.



Edit: In terms of jobs, though, medtech is correct. You'll get paid exactly the same as the kid who graduated from Harvard in most Undergraduate field careers. He's also right that people in community college being there forever. I went there with kids that I graduated from High School with. So far they are still there on their 4th year of community college. Out of all my friends who graduated in the same year AND the year before, I was the first one to get a bachelors. So far only 3 more have gotten their degree while many of them are in their 4th or 5th year of University, 3rd or 4th year of community college or worse, dropped out entire.

Answer 4

Honestly is doesn't matter where you go as long as wherever you choose to go, you do well and challenge yourself.



Shortly out of college (CSULA) I began a job as a QC chemist at a local pesticide plant. The other QC chemists would tease me because I attended a cal state and they had gone to UCLA/USC/UCR. But you know what? They did the exact same thing as me, didn't get paid a penny more. So really, college is what you make of it, the name on the diploma is not as important. Plus they are all 20k + in debt, so I am definitely not envious of them!



Just a side note, I live in Pasadena, and if you do attend PCC, stay focused. I completed my BS 3 years ago and I still have friends who attend PCC. You tend to find people that are a little less focused on studying and a little more focused on their wardrobe.

Answer 5

Really, you'll be fine either way. When you're applying to pharmacy school (or any graduate school, for that matter), the focus of the application will be on WHAT you did, not WHERE you went. Go where you're comfortable, and don't stress.

Answer 6

I did my credential work through UCR for elementary education. It really isn't a bad school. I don't know where this rap comes from. It is sister school to UCLA and a good place to go.