<p>I'm a high school senior looking to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering and was accepted to the University of Washington-Seattle. However, I'm OOS and the tuition is a little out of my range. My dad is pretty much against me taking out loans because he doesn't want me too far in debt when I graduate, and he wants to see me get the most education out of the least amount of money. I, on the other hand, love everything about UDub and it's my #1 choice.</p>
<p>My alternative would be to go to community college or SDSU or CSU-Long Beach for a couple years and then transfer to either UCLA or UW, granted I do well enough with my grades for them to accept me. I'm opposed to going to Cal States, seeing how they're rapidly sliding downhill due to the California budget crisis. Also, I feel like going to a CC would strip me of any social life and the so-called "college experience" once I transfer to UW/UCLA.</p>
<p>Since my dad has some good points, and I never want to admit I'm wrong, who's MORE correct here? Should I go directly to UW or transfer after two years?</p>
<p>How much debt are you talking about? Some debt is reasonable. If you go only with what you Stafford allow you to take, you should still be in good shape. </p>
<p>As for who is right, the cc experience is not the same as a four-year experience. The fact is that most students who start off in community college don’t make it to the four-year institution in two years. You’re more likely to graduate if you start off at ta four year school.</p>
<p>Now things are a bit different in California with the link to the UC system so I would expect students to be a lot more successful in transferring. I don’t see why attending a CC would strip you of social life once you get to the university. You’ll be going to a large university with plenty of opportunities to meet other people. </p>
<p>If you can afford UW with just Stafford loans, I’d say go for it. If you need more than that, take the cc route and transfer.</p>
<p>In California, transfer applicants from community colleges tend to be favored by UC and CSU admissions committees. If you go to community college, check [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) to check course articulation with UCs and CSUs (you may find that a combination of community colleges may provide better coverage than just one community college).</p>
<p>Were you admitted to SDSU or CSULB in your major? Be aware that CSUs may be difficult to change major in if you are not already in the desired major (the same may apply to Washington, where civil engineering requires competitive admission to change into). Do you have any other schools to choose from? What is the net cost of each school after non-loan financial aid?</p>
<p>Note that any [ABET</a> accredited](<a href=“http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx]ABET”>http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx) civil engineering degree program meets a reasonably high minimum standard. ABET accreditation is useful for Professional Engineer licensing, which is most important in civil engineering than in other types of engineering.</p>