<p>These are the two CCs I'm considering applying for. Should I go to Santa Monica just because of the figures? Are they doing something right as opposed to the rest which lag behind significantly?</p>
<p>No i wouldnt drive all the way to SMCC just because of the numbers. Mt. Sac is still a good CC. Seriously if you just work hard and pull off the numbers in Mt. Sac it seriously wont matter which CC you go to. Just make sure u dont slack off tho =D</p>
<p>I think to a certain extent the CC you go to matters. Schools like Santa Monica in Socal and Deanza in the South Bay have been known to be feeder schools for California Universities. This may be however due to the competitiveness and higher GPA of students from those schools. I would suggest going to the school where you feel you would do best at..</p>
<p>Hi! I attended OCC my first year because I was told all the nonsense about how that school is #1 in transferring (along with SMC I believe) students to UC's.
The truth is, the ONLY reason they transfer so many students is because they have over 10,000 students enrolled every semester.
The classes aren't ANY better, in fact they are worse! The classes are crowded, you get no individual attention from faculty, and standing in line at records/admissions can take up to 5 HOURS the first 2 weeks of school. I could never find parking either!
It's like attending a Cal State! The worse experience you'll ever have!
I switched over to GWC which is in the same district as OCC but it's 1/3 the size, the people are friendly, the classes are small (around 30 students, parking everywhere, and I never stand in line - EVER!
The level of education was far superior also.
Attending the small Community College totally spoiled me! It's like attending a private university!
I've been accepted as a transfer to UCI and UCR so far. I'm waiting on UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and UCSB.
I know I will dearly miss all the attention and pampering I got at a small community college!
It's the closest thing to a private school education you will get.
Just please don't waste your happy community college years at an overcrowded school that will treat you like a number!
That will come after you transfer!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies so far guys, it's really helped...</p>
<p>Currently, the only way I can gague whether or not a school is crowded is through collegeboard.com (I'm overseas right now). </p>
<p>Mt. Sac=
Degree-seeking undergrads: 26,440</p>
<p>SMC=
Degree-seeking undergrads: 15,768</p>
<p>The fact that SMC has 10,000+ less students and more transfers to top colleges should say something about it's programs right? Or is it just the diligent students who attend?</p>
<p>I'm still having trouble deciding between the two, location isn't really an issue seeing how I won't be living with my family. Does anyone else have an opinion? Which one would you choose if you were in my position?</p>
<p>I transferred from Pierce College and took classes at PCC and SMC as well. In my experience, the qualitative differences betwen the three was pretty nil. However, the environment was more "driven" at SMC than Pierce, I have to say. Since I'm not easily swayed by my peers (or at least my stupid ones) I did great. Just go to the closest one, because commuting will drive you mad.</p>
<p>I don't man cause i have only went to SMC. I am too fond of it to say the least. CC prison and i told u stories about it. KInda same thing tifania told u.</p>
<p>I'd go to her/his CC, it sounded kickass. :)</p>