<p>Some top university has slot especially reserved for community college students. So I want to ask if its easier to transfer from a average college (such as Rutgers, American University, Stony Brook, Boston University, etc) or your local community college to a top university (such as NYU, BC, Michigan, Virgina, UCLA, etc). So is it easier to transfer to a top school from a community college or an average one?</p>
<p>For the colleges you've listed (which mostly include top state schools), you'd be better off going to a CC in that state and transferring in. For NYU I doubt it really matters; for BC I'm unsure. For ivies and other top 20 schools, I think those coming from 4-year universities have the upper hand.</p>
<p>I'll speak for BC. Back in the good old days before BC is "the BC," (meaning no other schools can claim the initial BC anymore) you can easily transfer from a local community college if you have more than a 3.0 and a pulse. </p>
<p>But these days, no such luck. BC still takes a CC student if he/she has a 4.0 and a good SAT score, but BC is drawing a lot of its transfer students from schools that rank right behind it (a lot from BU, A WHOLE LOT!)</p>
<p>California has this AMAZING CC => UC transfer system set up. There's a bunch of guaranteed programs, and also "priority" programs. If you're any kind of a decent student, UCLA is an easy shoe in with TAP + IGETC transfer program.</p>
<p>Also...I think Cornell has a nice guaranteed transfer program set up also.</p>
<p>Yes if you are in California definitely look into the TAG programs at UCLA Berkley and UCSD. California CC kids have first priority over any other transfer students.</p>
<p>What about transfering from a school like Hollins U or Hope College into a top school? I have the choice between "second best" type of schools, or Santa Monica College Scholars. Should I take the chance, spend the money, and wish for the best so I can get the "college experience," or should I suffer through two years at a good CC with the option of UCLA, Berk, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Pomona, Scripps, etc? </p>
<p>I am looking into Poli Sci, IR, and will be graduting high school with a 3.9 uw. During the time of my application rush my GPA was low due to several problems on the home front, and was unable to apply to some of my dream schools. </p>
<p>Should I take the CC route, and hope for a second chance at Gtown or some other top school?</p>
<p>If you want to go to a top private school like Georgetown, I'd suggest going to a 4-year college first. I think that way you'd be better prepared for the competition you'll face at a school like GU. I'm just speaking from experience, because I took several classes at a ccc during hs, and they were actually easier than the high school classes I was taking. So if you want to go to ucla or berkeley, of course you'd be better off taking the ccc route since they have to give those students priority. plus, then you could pretty much sleep through your classes while still maintaining a great gpa :P. but if you want to be able to hold your own when you transfer to a competitive private school, I think it's best to choose the 4-year option. plus, the first two years of college are pretty great...I think it'd be tough to spend them at a cc. good luck!</p>
<p>With regards to CC difficulty, I have no doubt that equivalent courses at schools like Berkeley are far tougher.
Still, I think part of the equation, at least for me, is that living at home makes for far less chances for distraction than for those at universities with friends just down the hall and opportunities to party every night.</p>
<p>~~bump~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p>If you live in CA, then CA CC --> UC is one of the best deals around. I know multiple Berkeley students who chose that route, as well as a UCSB student. I also know multiple CC students who INTENDED to go that route, but got sidetracked, distracted, bored, and are stuck in ruts. </p>
<p>I think that it's easier to explain going to a CC than it is to explain going to a lower-ranked 4-year school, so if you think you can be successful in either environment, then I think there are benefits to both.</p>
<p>One major concern is how you feel about living at home, if that's what you would do if you attended a CC. A previous poster said that it could provide less of a distraction, but speaking personally, I know it would have provided more of one. </p>
<p>You're not in an ideal situation, but you're not in a bad one. You know where you think you want to end up, and both potential routes can take you there. I think it comes down to knowing and judging yourself. Do what you think will make you happier. You'll do better, get more involved, and probably come out as a better transfer applicant. Good luck!</p>