Advice regarding transfer and community college

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>My question is quite location specific, however I believe this community will be very helpful in answering my specific question.</p>

<p>I had to forgo admission into USC, UCSD, and UCB as a result of financial shortcomings. However, I also recently moved from Northern California to Chicago due to my father's job. Thus, I will be forced to attend a community college in the Chicago area. My goal is still the same. I would like to major in Biomedical/Biological Engineering. Yet, the city colleges are less than lackluster compared to the California Community Colleges with great transfer record (to my understanding after some research anyway--please disprove me!). </p>

<p>To those in the Chicago area, I currently reside on the Magnificent Mile with view of the Wrigley Building. I am quite hopeful. I am very close (within short walking distance) to Harold Washington College. However, the online reviews seem to show a quite negative outlook. I am quite weary about attending a lackluster community college that may prove to be a disadvantage for my transfer goal. I will definitely do everything possible to make myself stand out for the admissions officers, but I feel the college may be my bottleneck. I have considered a suburban option, however the increased out of district costs dissuade me if the transfer opportunity is the same as the city colleges. I am willing to spend the extra money and deal with longer transportation if it will increase my chances of transferring. </p>

<p>Thus, my dilemma stands: What are my options as a recent high school graduate with USC out of my hands? Should I bite the bullet and enroll into Harold Washington College or seek out a suburban community college with good transfer record? Is there anyone out there with information regarding the transfer from Harold Washington College or other city colleges? What about a suburban college (with decently easy transportation from downtown Chicago)? What are my options? </p>

<p>I am deeply in need of advice. I just don't know what my options are right now.</p>

<p>Thank you for all replies.</p>