Community college or Cal state?

<p>Currently, I'm a freshman at CSUF. However, my main goal is to go to USC or other UC's.
I've seen a lot of websites and threads (here), and I notice that compare to community colleges, it is more harder to transfer to those schools. So, I'm thinking about maybe(?) dropping out and go to a CC. But, my parents think that I'm taking the risk. Like, what if I don't get into any of the schools? (Is that even possible? And is it hard? Easy?) They rather me to stay at CSUF and transfer, because if I don't transfer successfully, I can still stay here.
Can anyone recommend or maybe suggest which path should I choose? Also, if I'm choosing community college? (Like IVC and OCC, does anyone know which is better for me?)
Thanks in advance!!</p>

<p>I believe its better if you go to a CC then transfer to a 4-year university because you save money and don’t have to worry about if CSUF classes will be accepted to those universities.</p>

<p>Besides, I heard as long as you have a 3.5 GPA from a community college then you’re more likely to get accepted. </p>

<p>Besides CSUF has no parking</p>

<p>I was in the same position last year. I did my freshman year of college at Sac State, but I went to talk with the transfer rep at UCD and they told me I would have MUCH better chances at transferring from a CCC than a CSU so now I’m at my local community college. They give CCC students preference so you’ll have an easier time being accepted. Plus you can do TAP or TAG from a community college.</p>

<p>My parents thought the same thing until we went to Cal Day and heard the truth. If they’re still resistant to the idea, I suggest you bring them to talk to a couple of UC transfer admissions officers.</p>

<p>If you’re planning to transfer to a UC, then I would choose to go to a community college… You would save a ton of money, have priority transfer, but the downside is that the classes are extremely crowded. Then again so are the classes in Cal state, so it’s up to you.</p>

<p>If you really want to transfer to USC you should stay at CSUF and transfer directly from there. USC is a private university and is not required to give preference to transfer applicants from community colleges. In fact, USC would probably be much more impressed by a strong GPA from a Cal State than one from a community college. It would demonstrate that you can succeed at a four year university with more rigorous academic standards than are found in community colleges.</p>

<p>All statistics indicate that CCC students have a better chance of getting accepted as transfers to UCs and CSUs compared to CSU students. This is not debatable - this is fact.</p>

<p>However, it is still possible to transfer from a CSU to a UC/another CSU, your chances (assuming your GPA is between 3.0-3.6ish) are decreased about 30% compared to students with the same GPA coming from CCC. I do not know what your chances would be with anything above a 3.5.</p>

<p>USC is a private institution and as such, will not give preferential treatment to you if you were to come from a CCC. BUT, there is still not guarantee you will get in. By going to a CCC you increase your chances of getting accepted from a wider range of colleges, as well as USC. If you stay a CSU, your chances of being accepted at USC will be the same, but your chances at another CSU/UC will be hurt.</p>

<p>I do not subscribe to the idea that a CSU is deemed ‘harder’ than a CCC, being a person who has attended both, they are practically the same (depending on the CSU of course, but generally speaking). So weighing the pros and cons, it seems you should just go to a CCC.</p>

<p>Thank you! This is what I wanted!</p>

<p>If your primary interest is in going to a UC then you are better off dropping out of CSUF and attending a community college. If you are at least as interested in private colleges and universities and out of state schools and plan to transfer as a junior you would be better off where you are and would want to avoid a CCC. Four year schools that are not required by the state of California to give preference to CCC transfers would generally prefer a transfer applicant that has shown he or she can succeed at a four year university over an applicant from a community college. Transferring into a nationally high ranking university from CSUF would be difficult but at least you would be given serious consideration. Elite universities very rarely consider transfer applicants from community college students. </p>

<p>In addition, if you are thinking about applying to medical school, you should be aware that most U.S. medical schools take a negative view of applicants who took their medical school pre-requisites ( two semesters each of General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Physics and Calculus) at community colleges.</p>

<p>Thank you very much Lemaitre1!
and I was wondering do you know if there’s anything I should keep in mind of for USC?
Once again, Thank you!</p>