I am a senior in high school who has recently been admitted to CSUEB for their Communications program and have only applied to two other schools (SJSU & SFSU). I didn’t apply to any UCs because my GPA is way too low. I’ve always been interested in film and I’ve only now realized my mistake in not applying to schools in the LA area. I now want to go to either UCLA (my dream school and also the benefit of connections in the UC system) or CSULB/CSUN for their film programs. Would it be a difficult process to attend a Cal State then transfer to CC to possibly transfer to UCLA? Or would it be easier to attend a community college in the area then transfer into UCLA? My biggest problem is I don’t have family in CA and housing is a big concern. Thanks!
I am not sure what changed your focus from the Bay Area to So Cal - clearly applying to another CSU campus or two would have been a good idea. That’s water under the bridge, you’ve been admitted to at least one school that you were enthused enough about to apply - and are still waiting on 2 more. That’s not a bad place to be. Perhaps you should make the most of the opportunity available. Have you been to schools in question?
Since you note you have no family in CA - I assume you are an out of state applicant. Are you prepared for the un-aided tuition/room/board bill at any of California CC, CSU or UC? Do you have other options?
If you want to graduate from UCLA - your best shot is through a California Community College. Just know that making that leap is very difficult. They are just as selective for transfers as they are for freshman applicants. You don’t have the stats now - how sure are you that you’ll be able to compete as a transfer applicant?
SoCal generally has better resources for those who want to pursue in the film industry. I have not been to any of the campuses I applied to, but I have friends that attend who tell me about them.
My dad is in the military and is letting me use his GI Bill and I am in the middle of filling out FAFSA, so I’m not too worried about money. I hear there are community colleges that offer housing, so that could be an option.
I had a rough start in high school, but I’ve gotten more serious about my education. I know that I’ll do better when I get to college. So would attending a CC and transferring to a UC be better than CSU to CC to UC?
CC to UC is the better route since you can TAG (Transfer Guarantee) to all the UC’s except UCLA/UCB and UCSD. If you are really interested in UCLA, San Monica City College has a high transfer rate to UCLA. If you are OOS, you will be paying OOS fees for the CC and UCLA or any of the other UC’s. If you have any other questions regarding the CC to UC transfer, I would post in the Transfer Thread subsection UC transfers. Good Luck to you.
If you want to graduate from a UC - skip the CSU altogether. Most UCs participate in the Transfer Guarantee Program TAG (UCLA, UCB and UCSD don’t) but, if you follow the course map, get the prescribed GPA, you are in.
That said, SF State is no slouch in the film department - check out their list of notable alumni here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_San_Francisco_State_University_people
Transferring into UCLA is not easy, Their acceptance rate is around 27% and, as noted above, they don’t participate in TAG.
Give the Bay Area schools a solid look - perhaps a tour - before turning them down.
Also double check your finances. I don’t know how well GI bill benefits cover out of state tuition and our high cost of living.
Good luck.
Yeah give a chance to those state schools, you could always attend UCLA or USC (I heard their film department is just incredible) for graduate school if interested in that commitment. But like others said, getting into UCLA for undergraduate is a reach for everyone, even if they have the highest qualifications, trust me in Southern California…a lot of people want to go to UCLA and USC…o_e
Just know that there are many many MANY other schools out there, some of them are still open for admission too. Good luck 
I have little to add- I agree that going to a CC is a cleaner path than CSU --> CC --> UC. The schools help to find housing through referrals, etc. So, while a CC amy not have housing, they can help you find resources.
Also, look at Chapman for film, as well as CSUN and CSULB.