Thanks to all of the great students who attended today’s
academic workshop after the immigration check-in session. Below are some
questions you had and my answers.
Q. Can I use a Math
assessment result to clear a Math prerequisite for any course?
A. Yes, appropriate assessment scores will clear Math
prerequisites for any class, not just a Math class. Read course descriptions
very carefully, and you will see they often say “…or equivalent.” That means an
appropriate assessment score can be used in lieu of a Math class. Your
assessment scores are uploaded to the student information system, so the system
will recognize that you are qualified for any class that has a Math or English
prerequisite when you attempt to enroll in it. If you do not qualify, the
system will block you from enrolling.
Q. How do I know
which classes to take for my major? What if DVC does not offer a class I need
for my major?
A. Use www.assist.org to
know which DVC classes to take for any major in the CSU or UC system. If you
want to transfer to a private or out-of-state university, you will have to
speak to a representative with that university to know which DVC classes you should
take. The Assist website does not include private and out-of-state
universities, and DVC counselors are unable to tell you how DVC classes transfer
to private and out-of-state universities. If you need a class that DVC does not
offer, you can apply anyway. CSUs and UCs understand that not all community
colleges offer all the same classes they do. Just take as many as you can in
order to strengthen your transfer application.
Q. Can I transfer to
a private or out-of-state university? Can I transfer to Stanford? Can I
re-apply if I fail to get admitted the first time?
A. Many DVC international students transfer to private and
out-of-state universities each year. However, it is not possible for students
to know EXACTLY how their DVC units will transfer to such universities in the
same way that they can know how DVC units transfer to CSUs and UCs. My advice
is for students to follow the requirements for a similar UC program (for
example, if you want to transfer to the University of Texas in Austin and major
in Business Administration, follow the requirements for UC Berkeley’s Business
major). Most majors at most universities have similar course requirements.
Regarding
Stanford, you need to realize that Stanford accepts only about 40 transfer
students per year from thousands of transfer applicants, so the likelihood of
being accepted at Stanford is EXTREMELY low. You should always have a Plan B if
Stanford is your goal. DVC does not have an academic relationship with
Stanford, so DVC counselors are unable to help you create a clear plan for
transfer with that goal in mind.
In most
cases, an SAT score is not required for transfer to a university. Some
exceptions may exist, though, so always look at the school’s website for
details about transfer admission requirements.
In many
cases, it might be possible to transfer to a private or out-of-state university
in less than two years. In the case of CSU or UC transfer, in most cases it
takes AT LEAST two years, sometimes longer, to complete transfer admission
requirements at DVC.
If you fail
to get admitted the first time, you may apply again, but you will have to wait
one year until the next admission cycle. My advice is that if you do not get
into your “dream” school, settle for your second or third choice school, finish
your bachelor’s degree as soon as you can, then apply to your “dream” school
for a master’s degree.
For more
information on applying to the CSU system, visit www.csumentor.edu, and for information on
applying to the UC system, go to www.universityofcalifornia.edu.
Q. What does “lower
division” and “upper division” mean?
A. Lower division refers to anything at the freshman (1st
year) and sophomore (2nd year) level. DVC, being a community
college, only teaches lower-division courses, or those courses typically taken
in the 1st and 2nd years of university. The CSUs and UCs
apply a maximum of 70 lower-division units toward a bachelor’s degree. Upper
division refers to anything at the junior (3rd year) and senior (4th
year) level. Upper division courses are typically taken by juniors and seniors
at a university. They are more advanced than lower division courses. DVC does
not offer upper division courses. You will take all of those after you
transfer.
You must have
a minimum of 60 transferable units to be considered a junior when you transfer.
Most students will have no difficulty in accruing enough units while at DVC
because of meeting admissions and major preparation requirements if studying a “high
unit” major (i.e. a major that requires a lot of classes). If, however, you do
not have enough units to reach 60, then you take elective classes, which are transferable
classes you choose for yourself just so you’ll have enough units.
Q. Do I have to take
the assessment tests before classes begin, or can I wait until after school
begins? Can I use O-level scores to clear assessments?
A. You may take the assessment tests whenever you are ready.
Just remember that you cannot enroll in any Math classes, any classes with Math
prerequisites, or English 122 without an appropriate assessment score on file.
O-level
scores might be used in determining Math placement. Submit official copies of
your O-level score reports to the DVC Admissions and Records office for evaluation.
O-level scores are not used in English assessment.
If you want
to take a college-level Math class, you must either score appropriately on the
Math assessment test, complete the required prerequisite course(s), or submit
official documentation proving that you have completed equivalent coursework or
demonstrated mastery of the Math content through examination.
You cannot
get into a course that has prerequisites, including assessment requirements,
unless you have met the prerequisite, no matter how badly you may need to take
the course. This is determined by California state law, and DVC follows that
law very closely because our continued accreditation depends on it. Such
practices ensure that we are able to continue to offer the high quality of
coursework that our reputation is built upon.
Q. How do I know
which courses are transferable? What is IGETC? How do I know which classes to
take?
A. I’m not going to address these questions because the
online new international student orientation and the workshop you attended
today all address those questions. If you need to review the online
orientation, visit www.authorstream.com/tag/misham
and select “DVC New International Student Orientation.” And today’s workshop
slides are available at www.dvc.edu/international/resources
in “New International Students Academic Workshop.”
