I’ve an int’l student (who grew up in California, us citizen)- I’ve been accepted to a 4-year college on the East Coast. The cost is payable but high for me,
The trouble is, I’ve got some complicated financial problems, that may make going to UR for 4 years slightly risky. Unfortuntately, nothing can be determined at this point.
I am considering going to a California CC, then transferring to an UC to save money and I’ve got a few questions: (well, CC is really my parents’ idea)
- How hard is it to get involved in research work/internships at the 4-year college I transfer to in junior year? Will I have significantly less opportunities than those there for 4 years? I’m thinking of majoring bme, maybe premed (not sure- I def want to utilise college to explore my options- is this possible at CC?)
- Really, how bad is the social life? I really wanted the college experience- going to college with a group of people for 4 years, dorm life etc but will I be missing out on a whole lot?
- I’m unsure about other states, but I’ve heard in California, many people take this route- will I find like-minded students of my caliber at a CC? Will there be a lot of students my age?
- Is the transition from CC courses to upper level courses very difficult?
- Is it extremely difficult to transfer to other, v good private colleges on the East Coast? (Just curious, i still want to go to an UC)
Honestly, I would not have wanted to go to CC. The only reason I am for this, is because it will give me a chance to go to college in California,and also go back home- I have loads of family and friends there (which I really really wanted), better weather, and I believe that I will fit in with the general demographic of UC a lot better, rather than going to a private college on the East Coast, in c-c-c-cold weather (I hate the cold). Please don’t get me wrong, UR is a great school, and I know I would receive an outstanding education there AND the college experience, but financial resources are just slightly strained and I need to save for med school and for all its amazing programs, I still would prefer going to college in California. But then again, I would really regret missing out on the college experience? Any suggestions?
Also, to clarify a point- I am actually confused between grad school and med school- I really want to find out whether I would like clinical work better or bench work (research) better. I also want to explore other career options unrelated to these fields (economics, journalism, IR) and would like to do related internships. All possible at a CC?
If your father will help you with any documentation that is required for you to qualify as a CA resident, then that would probably make the CCC followed by a CSU your cheapest option, and it may make CCC followed by UC option more affordable than four years at UR. You need to run the numbers.
Some of the CCCs have residence halls, so you could check to see if any of those still have space for the fall.
I’m a huge fan of CCs. Happykid commuted to our local CC for the first two years, then transferred to an in-state public U for the last two. She didn’t have any trouble making friends, but that may be because of her major (theater tech/design) which required to much teamwork for all of the productions that she worked on. Her CC had lots of different clubs and interest groups, so it would not have been horribly difficult for a student to find people to make friends with. It just would have taken a bit more effort than in a residential situation.
Many students choose to study at a CC to save money, so you definitely won’t be the only smart, hardworking student in your classes. Don’t worry about that!
One more question: is it possible, and how hard is it, to get involved in research internships/summer programs/company internships from a CC? And I’m talking about the good ones, like,say,Carnegie Mellon’s robotics program, or Stanford’s med research program?
Former CC students- did you feel like saving the money was worth losing the 'COLLEGE" experience? That is really what its coming down to now, for me. It’d be great if I could save money, (my money issue is complicated) but I feel like I will really, REALLY regret not having the college experience, because this comes only once. I’ve already had a gap year, and I was really waiting to go to college. I feel like I’m ready.
Is it a good idea for OOS/int’l studnts like me to take the CCC route in California?
If I’m interested in premed/ or grad school, is CC a good idea? I’ve heard its difficult to get LORs and internships, simply because I will have been there for only 2 years as opposed to 4…
Med schools frown on premed classes being taken at a community college. The UC you’d want to go to is UCR, check with them how they regard premed transfers and check their med school about classes taken at a CC.
- How hard is it to get involved in research work/internships at the 4-year college I transfer to in junior year?
=> harder than for students who’ve put in 2 years of work there. It’s generally quite hard at UC’s because the universities need more funding and professors already have grad students. Undergrads are unpaid labor but there’s fierce competition.
Will I have significantly less opportunities than those there for 4 years?
=> For a premed, compared to UR, yes. It’s a major research university and there will be many opportunities there that won’t be available at a CC.
I’m thinking of majoring bme, maybe premed
=> BME is engineering and, as such, a bad choice because GPA’s are lower. Since med schools mostly look at GPA + MCAT score for the first cut, it won’t matter you chose amajor with grae deflation. Premed is not a major, it’s just a set of classes you have to ace in addition to your major if you want to attend med school.
utilise college to explore my options- is this possible at CC?
=> you have to complete gen eds and
- Really, how bad is the social life?
=> by defintion, people commute from home.
Some have dorms but they’re not the best to transfer to 4-year universities.
Some have private student villages of sorts which may be better for social life.
I really wanted the college experience- going to college with a group of people for 4 years, dorm life etc but will I be missing out on a whole lot?
=> clearly, you won’t be going to college with a group of people for 4 years and you won’t have dorm life.
All in all, coming from a foreign country without a support system to attend a CC in an unknown town while managing your own apartment in a culture you don’t know well doesn’t sound like the best idea for a 19 year old.
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I’m unsure about other states, but I’ve heard in California, many people take this route- will I find like-minded students of my caliber at a CC? Will there be a lot of students my age?
=> Yes. You’re lucky, MANY students, including good students, attend CC in CA. They hope to transfer to a CSU or UC.
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Is the transition from CC courses to upper level courses very difficult?
in CA, it’s okay.
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Is it extremely difficult to transfer to other, v good private colleges on the East Coast? (Just curious, i still want to go to an UC)
yes. UCs and USC take in a lot of CA CC students, but there’s no mandate for East Coast colleges to take CCC students. They may take CC students from their own state (Cornell does) and they promise to increase enrollment by lowr income students, but other transfers mostly come from similar (strong, 4-year) universities.
In addition, since finances are a problem, remember that financial aid for transfers is very limited.
@MYOS1634, the OP grew up in CA, though, so isn’t really an international. Actually, isn’t one at all.
^ didn’t OP say he’s an American citizen whose father lives in CA but who won’t be involved - OP has been living abroad?
It’s hard enough even if you speak English not to have issues with moving to a new town, managing an apartment on your own at 19, in a culture you don’t know (being a child in a country doesn’t count to understand a culture as an adult because most interactions with the outside world are mediated by parents and a child’s concerns and views arrnt’those of adults.) I really wouldn’t advise it.
Actually, I have decided to forego UR completely (for many good reasons). My choice now is between UC Davis and CC (again, I would rather go to UCD)
But what about all the transfers I see here,and on SDN doing premed? They appear to be successful too. I think med school adcoms only frown on taking the premed classes at a CC, when you are already going to a 4-year uni. For transfers from CC-> UC it is prob different?
Regarding number 2, PurpleTitan is right. It is not a “unknown town” since it’s the one I grew up in, and I do have a support system (of sorts) there. But yes, I was only a kid while I was there, and maybe managing my own apartment will be a hassle to deal with, on top of academics.
" Yes. You’re lucky, MANY students, including good students, attend CC in CA. They hope to transfer to a CSU or UC.
- Is the transition from CC courses to upper level courses very difficult?
in CA, it’s okay."
You’re giving me hope! But the research positions problem is gnawing at me, especially since its so imp for both grad and med school. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I read here on CC somewhere, that a guy at a CC actually landed a research internship at Stanford for the summer. Possible/Impossible?
If you got into UC Davis, it should be relatively cheap and much better for the sciences, the experience/growth, resources, and general quality of learning.
Are you sure you still have time to give your answer?
As for med schools, it depends. In CA, on the one hand it’s soooo competitive (term seen often: “bloodbath”) but on the other hand the CC system is well-respected.
As for “possible/impossible”: you’re asking something along the lines of “Could I date Emma Watson/Logan Lerman” (or whoever you had a poster of when you were 13)… Impossible? No, of course. But very unlikely.
You need to clarify your status.
As a US citizen, you are not an international student at UC or CCC. You should also check if you can be a California resident through your parent living in California. This will be beneficial for UC, CCC, and California public medical schools.
Being a nonresident in all states will be disadvantageous for cost of college and cost and admission to medical school.
I am an US citizen, but not a Cal resident. I’ve studied for HS internationally. When I contacted colleges while applying, they said that I will be considered an OOS student for tuition purposes. I am eligible for IS in California, but the situation with my resident parent is highly complicated and unlikely to be resolved. I may be OOS for all 4 years.
I’m thinking, maybe I should take a chance with uc davis 
even if I’m OOS. Perhaps from my freshman year onward, I could apply for scholarships/grants that could reduce my overall cost?
There are few or no significant scholarships or grants for continuing students, compared to those offered to new students.
Without state residency anywhere, medical school options will be limited (mainly private medical schools) and expensive (since no possibility of in-state public tuition). That is in addition to undergraduate study being at non-resident prices for public universities and community colleges everywhere.
Outside scholarships? Are they hard to get?
For example, I am thinking of applying for a $20,000 scholarship from NIH?
If you’re not in-state for California, you will NOT receive any scholarships (prohibited by law) and you will NOT be able to attend medical school there.
You’ll have to pay the same as URochester without any of the benefits in terms of facilities, attention to undergrads, resources, etc.
It only makes sense to attend ucd if you pay instate. If your father won’t help you as far as instate status goes, you shouldn’t attend a UC from oos unless you don’t plan to go to Med school and can afford 240k for 4 years.