I’ve searched up a lot on this topic and CC has always been the answer. I’m considering going to a CC now (LACC to be specific), instead of CSULA/CSUF. My parents have been arguing with me to go to a CSU because the tuition happened to be paid off with the help of FAFSA and some scholarships. However, I would like to give myself an opportunity to go to a better school. If I go to a CSU, I will consider transferring to CSU Pomona or CSULB. If I go to CC, I will consider transferring to hopefully a UC. Also, I am currently thinking of being a mechanical engineer. Any advice on whether I should “give up” the money that would have paid off most of my CSU experience for a better chance to get into a UC?
You can go to a CSU and transfer to either another CSU or a UC (although more difficult to articulate courses from the CSU). If you plan to transfer regardless, than I would go to a CCC for 2 years and then transfer. If you receiving federal aid, you can use it at the CCC. California CCC transfers get priority over CSU to UC transfers and CSU to CSU transfers.
Going to a CA CC will help get you preferential treatment when you apply to transfer to another CA public university (and depending on the school/honors program offerings, some affiliate private universities as well). Attending a CSU gives you no such advantage; the CSU’s were not built for transferring out of.
Thank you two, I’m pretty much set on a CCC now as it’ll give me more options in the long run. Ha, it’s just a bummer to have put effort in attending the CSU (scoring well on CSU placement tests and scoring worse on CCC placement tests, ironically) only to go to the CCC. Either way, I think I could try and relearn some math/english. Thanks.
To play devils advocate, maintaining a 3.2+ GPA (a common transfer threshold) in a college engineering program is hard work - especially for someone who indicates a need to relearn some math. I wouldn’t just assume you’ll be able to transfer into a ‘better’ school. Fullerton is a solid school, the quality of education and reputation among employers is not significantly less than CSULB or CP P. Before deciding it isn’t good enough - you may want to spend some time there and talk to some existing students.
Despite TAG, TAP and other programs, transferring to a UC is more complicated than most people realize - especially in engineering disciplines. Take a look at the 2 and 3 year transfer rates from most CCs… it ain’t pretty (many below 25%). Now, there are many reasons for that. includung college level math. and the process can and is navigated by thousands of students each year. Many students at Fullerton and other CSUs also struggle to graduate on time.
I bring it up because timely graduation requires more planning and disciple than most people think. You will need a tight plan. and you alone will need to drive it. If you take this path, do it with full knowledge that you may not make it.
Good luck.
Decisions decisions, haha. You just hit me with some real world statistics that I’ve forgotten to consider. I just went to CC to check it out and they’re already encouraging me go to the CSUs instead. Although time is an essential commodity, I wouldn’t mind graduating a little later than planned. Right now I am leaning more towards the CSUs because of the amount of financial aid/grads I’m getting and the fact that it may be similar to other schools. Yes Fullerton may be great, I’ve visited only once unfortunately and heard more bad news than good news. Hmm… I hear Pomona has a great program due to it’s location (It should be easier to get internships/ opportunities there). I’ll reconsider now.
Well whatever happens to me, success or fail, I will see it through the end. Thank you for replying 
and dropping some persuasive info.