Decision: CC vs Lower Ranked School

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I'm in kind of a rut. I don't know what to do. So I was a mediocre high school student, I only got a 3.2. I applied to a bunch of csu's and uc's and only got accepted to csu's. The best school I got accepted into is CSULB. I'm pretty disappointed because I know I can do better.
I hate living at home, my parents and I have our differences due to our different religion and views. The way I get put down for everything I believe in really depresses me, it's not healthy.
So here are the pros and cons I see: (Btw, I'm studying Computer Science and
Engineering)
CSULB:
Pros: I would have fun and get to move out right now.
Okay school
Get to know professors sooner for future recommendations </p>

<p>Cons: Not really highly ranked
Expensive (for me)
Not well known out of SoCal</p>

<p>Staying at a Community College:
Pros: Save money
Get higher GPA to transfer to a good school, hopefully UCB, UCI, UCLA or U of W</p>

<p>Cons: Would live with parents
Stuck in my tiny boring town
There's this saying that if you stay here, you're stuck. Almost nobody transfers from the local CC, they just end up staying home because it's "easier".</p>

2

<p>What, exactly, do you mean by “Expensive (for me)”?</p>

<p>Do you have your aid package for CSULB? How much of the Cost of Attendance is and isn’t covered? Will your parents continue to file the FAFSA for you each year after you move out, or will you be on your own?</p>

<p>If you are goal oriented, you will be able to transfer out. Make an appointment with the transfer advisor at your local CC, and find out how to get on track and stay there.</p>

3

<p>I don’t know your financial situation, but you may be able to go to a different CC if you could find a living situation that is commutable. Do you have a friend or relative who lives in an area that has a different, but good CC? If you could work out a suitable living situation away from home, you might be able to have the live-away experience and still prepare for a UC transfer in two years. The only thing keeping you at your current CC is your residence. </p>

<p>(A friend of my son’s wanted to go to SMCC instead of our local, so he and a couple of friends found a cheap place to rent together in that district. He transferred to UCLA after two years, and graduated with honors.)</p>