Question regarding to community college ??? ?

Question

I'm an international student studying for two years in US already. In couple of weeks, I will study in a community college and take some initial courses in my GE (general education) list (about 15 units = 4 classes). Yet, I still don't understand community college system since it's totally different from high school like quarter sys, grade, transferable units...bla bla.... . In the GE list my counselors created has all required courses for graduation and UC general requirements (or that's what she told me), which takes up about 50 units. So, basically there are 10 units left to be fulfilled two years from now before applying to UC. Since I'm interested in pre-med program, I've looked up major requirements and they add 33 units more. Most of them falls into advanced chemistry, biology, and physics classes. Is that strange cause that is a lot of courses and I'm not sure if I can finish all of them within 2 years 'cause it would be about 83 units in total (dang, what a big number....). Is my calculation correct or wrong at any part ?? Also, how many classes can you take in a semester ? I mean whether the four classes I'm going to take will be done at the end or before this semester ?? Can I sign up more classes in this semester ? Sorry for such a long question but please bear with me for one more : In case I get accepted into UC as a pre-med student, can I switch between doctor and pharmacy program as I'm in dilemma about two careers ?? Or do i have to decide before I complete my UC application ?

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your answers. Good luck with your study also.

Answer 1

First, lets start with your last question. If you plan to transfer to UC as a junior, yes you probably do need to decide on a program when you file your application. You can always change your major later if you want to.

As to the 83 units, you most likely don't need to take that many, since there may be quite a few classes that fulfill both the UC general ed requirements and major requirements. For instance, if you take Biology, chemistry and physics to fulfill a pre-med requirement, then you don't need to take any additional sciences, since UC only requires one physical science, one biological science, and a lab.

As to how many classes you can take in a semester, the maximum is usually 18 or 19 units. How many classes that is depends on how many units each class is, but probably somewhere between 4 and 6. If you want to finish in 2 years, but need more than 60 units, try going to summer school and winter session.

Answer 2

I don't know if your calculation of 83 units is correct or not because I really don't know anything about pre-med.  I think that might be something you would want to ask your counselor.

Community college doesn't limit how many classes you can take just how many units.  At the community college I go to you can only take 18 units in one semester.  The college should have told you the maximum amount of units you can take at orientation.   If not then you need to speak to a counselor about it or look in the catalog.  Although I think most community college's only allow students to take 18 units per semester, but I would check on that.

If the semester has already started then you can only sign up for more classes if you aren't taking the maximum number of units the college allows and it's before the last day to add the class or classes has passed.  The last day to add is in the class schedule for the semester.  There is a different last day to add if the class starts later on in the semester.  At least that is how it works at the community college I go to.

I think you can switch majors, but I don't know for sure that you can switch majors or how many times you can switch.  Although I've heard of people switching majors. This is something you need to talk to a counselor about or research or something.