Help High schooler to AA

[ss20ts]

The CSU-system schools allow 30cr of CLEP max, and 70cr of CC max for most (this would include CLEP).

The UC-system schools will not take CLEP.

Any idea why there's the difference between CSU and US schools? I wonder if Cali is as weird with their schools as NY is.

[dfrecore]

The CSU-system schools allow 30cr of CLEP max, and 70cr of CC max for most (this would include CLEP).

The UC-system schools will not take CLEP.

Any idea why there's the difference between CSU and US schools? I wonder if Cali is as weird with their schools as NY is.

The CSU-system is much larger, and considered "2nd tier" although still great schools.  San Diego State University, Sonoma State University, Chico State, San Jose State, Sacramento State, etc.  They are more interested in helping a greater number of people.  Lots more local kids go to those schools.  The CC's in the areas all cater to transferring to the CSU's nearby.  They generally cost about $7,000/yr + fees to go there, and almost all are semester-based.

Obviously the UC-system is the crown jewel - UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, etc.  There are only 9 of them, and they cost about 2x the price: about $5000/quarter, and most are quarter-based.

The CSU-system is much larger (23 campuses with 475,000 students) vs the more elite, more prestigious UC-system (9 campuses with 280,000 students).  Since the CSU system has so many students, programs become impacted, and it's almost impossible to graduate in 4 years.  So the state came in and said that in order to make those numbers better, they would encourage students to go to CC's and transfer in (generally you can only transfer in after 60cr, no coming in after just a year), and they would make it easier to get in by accepting CLEP exams as well.

I think that college is the ONE thing CA gets right - not only do you have TAG: a transfer guarantee program from any CC to several UC schools including Davis, but you're practically guaranteed admission to any of the CSU-system schools if you complete the IGETC or CSU Advising Guide + Major guide from your CC.  They make it very easy to complete your requirements at a CC, and very easy to transfer.  And CC's are generally free.  So you could conceivably graduate from a CSU system school in less than 4 years for $15,000.  And a UC-system school for $30,000.  You just have to be willing to do 2 years at a CC instead of going straight in.

[bjcheung77]

As always, it all depends on which city you are going to enroll in.

For those responding to this person, I noticed one of their posts (which was a lengthy paragraph) was deleted. They've posted 4 times, and 3 of them including this particular one is short. It's almost like they're trying to blend in to make it like a "real post" and maybe spam us or something.

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@Katjhenderson, I would relay this information to your high schooler, seriously talk it over and check the nearest community colleges to see if you can transfer in your current ACE/CLEP offerings, as mentioned, the local community college should be your first choice, it can practically be an inexpensive AA/AS if you can get the max transfer into the degree program using dual enrollment and alternative credits.