@happy1 Luckily, I’m not your hypothetical child. My actual (not hypothetical) parents support me in going out west for college, because they know I’ve been planning on it before I even met my boyfriend, and most importantly because they know that I’m independent-minded and can handle myself in whatever path I choose. If you carefully read my post, you would know that my plan is to go to either a university or LAC, but just recently, I’d been thinking about a CC for the purpose of transferring to a prestigious school that my current stats couldn’t get me into, also because I had heard that it can ease the cost of college. You know, making it easier for my parents to pay. My ultimate goal was not to go to a CC in CA, and my college decision is not dependent on “liking the idea of going west with [my] HS boyfriend.” Also I’m planning on applying for a dorm my first year anyway, so it’s actually incredible that people are magnifying what is probably the least significant detail in my entire post.
@Gumbymom After looking more in-depth into the financial aid that the UCs provide (which wouldn’t be much for me) I agree. I also had found that getting in-state residency is next-to-impossible for undergrad students, so I don’t think I’ll be going with any schools that don’t have significant financial aid. LACs seem to be the best option for me as of right now. Thank you!
After doing some more research, I think that my best bet is going to be applying to LACs like those mentioned above, that are good with financial aid. I’m more concerned with the actual educational experience than prestige after all. Thanks so much to everyone that gave me helpful advice!