<p>Before I mention anything, I know that this topic has been exhausted somewhat with other similar threads but I felt I needed my own thread :)</p>
<p>I to cannot decide whether I should go to UCR (only UC admitted to) or a CC.My ultimate goal is to get into Cal through transferring.It's been my dream school,it is my dream school, and it will likely be my dream school for the foreseeable future.My intended major at UCR is political science.</p>
<p>From what i've read on this board its hard to transfer from UC to UC but it is possible and that CC students are given priority.But would priority even matter if someone had a 4.0 at UCR?Which leads me to the next question:Exactly how hard is it compared to a CC to get a "high" GPA at a UC (3.5 higher)?</p>
<p>Reasons why a CC (so far from what I've gathered):
-Priority transfer
-Easier to get a higher GPA
-Cheaper</p>
<p>I just honestly don't know...I've went through the pros and cons of each over and over again and I'm still stuck at 50/50.I guess I'm just asking if people can sway me from one side or the other.It's killing me inside at this point.</p>
<p>I honestly think it would be better for you to head to the CC, especially if you're planning on transferring to Cal. I've heard of UCM having some kind of program that admits some students to Cal after two years, but that's Merced. It is very much difficult to get accepted from a UC to UC transfer, especially now with the budget cuts. This year, Cal was given the okay to be able to admit more students for Fall '09, but didn't because of the budget cuts and economy in general. </p>
<p>I know you must be thinking "but it's a UC!" and I would totally agree with you...but with the decrease of admissions, you gotta be competitive and take every opportunity of making yourself look better for a candidate for Cal, which is why I recommend going for the CC. </p>
<p>Plus it saves you a couple of bucks for two years, and you get financial aid at CC (at least I did, and I was/am able to have money of my own, since I don't work and save up for Cal for whatever expenses I might have when and if I get accepted...already getting ahead of myself...-.- On the positive: I'm getting my new Macbook Pro! Yay!) </p>
<p>In a nutshell, go to a CC hands down. No offense, but given the pros/cons you listed, I have no idea why you would be at 50/50. </p>
<p>For instance, what social network? Aside from the fact that you are going there only to leave, I don't think that the social network at UCR is strong enough to be a valid pro in your weighing.</p>
<p>I think what it comes down to it is that you are yearning for that freshman experience. And I don't blame you. So if the experience is worth your significantly dwindling your chances at Cal and paying 2-3x the $, go ahead.</p>
<p>yeah, i'd definitely go to a CC. the pros of that outweigh the cons by miles. if your ultimate goal is to be at calc, why make it harder for yourself by having the "freshmen experience"</p>
<p>of course, you're going to get a biased reaction here because we're most all transfer students :)</p>
<p>Jeffrey, go to CC but not just to get those GE out of the way. Use your time there to not only excel but to make a mark that will get you noticed by Cal when you apply in two years. Start a club, get involved with CC sports or gov't, take on leadership roles, really get to know your profs for the BEST recommendations and referrals for internships, research, work expereince, etc. Frosh experience isn't all that it's cut out to be.</p>
<p>But there is also the fact that I might not do well at a CC.If I didn't do well at UCR I could at least graduate in 4 years with a degree.I went from having a 3.0 freshmen year to having a 4.5 last semester.But i'm worried that 1)I won't be able to keep that momentum 2)College will be so hard that i'll revert back to my old self.</p>
<p>And hypothetically speaking;if I was to chose the CC route, which is the best CC in SoCal to transfer to Cal? I was thinking of going to SMC if I do CC.</p>
<p>honestly, i didnt find CC to be harder than high school at all. if anything, most AP classes in high school were harder than the GE's at a CC. as for the best CC in socal, smc has a good transfer program to ucla (dont know about cal). i go to el camino in torrance, and its not bad.</p>
<p>CC classes aren't hard at all, especially when you're trying to get the GEs out of the way. Don't you have any motivation?! You want to get into Cal! Come on! Isn't that reason enough? [:</p>
<p>Everything happens for a reason. If you think you're going to do bad, then you probably will. Sorry, I'm a psychology major. LOL. But seriously, you gotta keep going and try your hardest. This is the rest of your life we're talking about, not high school where someone is going to lead you step by step!!!!</p>
<p>Good luck! I chose the ccc route since it was the best option for me to have a chance go where I wanted. As for the difficulty of ccc courses, it is all dependent on the subject matter, professors and GEs vs. prerequisites. Prerequisites tend to be much more difficult than GEs.</p>
<p>Jeffrey,
If you are entering a CC in fear, your aspirations at Cal are hard to believe. I never ever ever feared CC, but now that I'm faced with the possibility of actually getting admitted to Cal next semester, I'm honestly a little intimidated. I can't imagine how you would feel</p>
<p>btw I dropped out of HS and graduated from a continuation school, so I know very well about past vices.</p>
<p>I would choose to be a ccer if i was you. Honestly, the difficulty of cc courses is really ok and acceptable. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you should always know what you really want and have a strong mind to achieve your goal. As what you said, your ultimate goal is to get into Cal through transferring, then go for it. Wish you all the good luck! ^^</p>
<p>Thanks for the words of encouragement,I've always taken the hardest classes in hs (honors and AP) but i'm just a bit worried that i'll somehow revert back to my old self...hopefully what I started my junior year will carry momentum!</p>
<p>From one Jeffrey to another, take the CC route! Junior college is not bad and although you do not get the "freshmen experience", honestly who cares. You will have plenty of experiences at UCB once you get in and Im sure you will have appreciated the fact that in the long run you didnt settle for anything less then your top choice!</p>
<p>Why are you worrying about "social networking" when you'll be transferring to Cal right after you make those friends?</p>
<p>Trust me... I have a friend that attends UCR (same situation as you - she went there to avoid the "horror" of going to CC but wants to transfer to Cal) and is absolutely miserable. I have a feeling she thinks that since Cal is her goal, she doesn't make an effort to be social with UCR students. A bit of a condescending mindset I feel.... But anyway....</p>
<p>CC is pretty disappointing social-wise, because I am still bitter at the fact that I didn't have my freshman experience. BUT! (BIG but) I'm so glad that I had the chance to go to CC. My friends at UCD, UCI and UCSD that BARELY got in there from high school with 3.8.... are probably upset that I'm waiting on Cal and UCLA with my 3.67 ;) (the few kids that got into UCLA/UCB at my hs all had 4.0+)</p>
<p>CC is the best thing that happened to my life!!</p>
<p>The best advice I can give you is to go to a CC near Cal and hit up all the Berkeley parties!!!!!!! :) and try to transfer in 1 year if you can!
^ Those 2 things I WISH I knew when preparing for CC... But it was all worth it... GO BEARS!!!</p>