<p>So I was admitted into UC Irvine as an undeclared major. But I had applied for mechanical engineering. So would it be better to go to a cc and then to a UC I really would like to attend, like UC Davis. Which would be a better path, and what would be the pros of going to UC Irvine straight out of high school, such as the engineering clubs?</p>
<p>Can you call the engineering department to find out how impacted it is, and how difficult it would be to transfer in? This may give you more information for your decision.</p>
<p>I called UC Irvine, and they said they cannot tell me exactly…they were not really helpful… I’ll try to contact the engineering department tommorow, but overall I can’t understand what to do…</p>
<p>It is ridiculous to pass on a top 50 school in the nation for a CC. Get a grip and go to UCI.</p>
<p>UCI is fine.</p>
<p>Its a tough decision and nobody can tell you what is best. You’ll have to make a decision based on your preferences and tolerance for risk.</p>
<p>If you go to UCI then you’ll have a chance to spend 4 years at the same college. This is a plus because you’ll have more of a chance to build more/deeper friendships, feel a part of the community, understand the system, take part in campus clubs and activities, etc. than you will if you transfer in. Think of it this way: if you go all 4 years, you will have spent as much time already doing all those things at the end of your sophomore year (with 2 more years ahead) as a transfer student does on the day she/he graduates.</p>
<p>Downsides are there, too. Since you weren’t admitted to engineering you will have to apply to change into it. Depending on your GPA they might say no, in which case you are not going to get a ME degree. And it sounds like UCI wasn’t your top choice.</p>
<p>If you go the CC route then you can use the TAG program and get guaranteed admission to any major at Davis provided you meet the course and GPA requirements in you CC. Downsides are the uprooting of changing colleges after 2 years and the chance that you don’t satisfy the TAG requirements and therefore may not get admitted. The college experience at a CC is probably not the same as attending a 4-year.</p>
<p>So which is “better”? A decision that rests on your shoulders…</p>