Help with making big college decisions.

Applying to College
1

<p>I am an undergraduate student from Hawaii and I would like to move to California to pursue a degree in Journalism or Film-Making. Which ever opens more doors for me. I graduated this year and took a semester off to think about which school I wanted to go to and what course I wanted to major in. Being the first person in my family to attend college in the United States, the whole process of entering college was very confusing for me and I missed the deadline for the Spring 2012 semester of the college of my choice. </p>

<p>I put together a list of schools that I wanted to go to. Being from Hawaii, my top priority is to enter a WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) Institution, and take advantage of it since it could lower my college expenses. My top preferred school is CSU Sacramento, a college that offers the WUE program. I was ready to apply to this college, 'till I realized that they are no longer accepting applications for the Spring 2012 semester (along with most Universities in California). Something that I should have been aware of from the start. I really need to start going to school in Spring since I want to utilize the time that I have and felt that a whole semester off school was enough for me. I would feel extremely unproductive doing nothing while I wait for the FALL 2012 semester. </p>

<p>I was thinking of applying to a community college in California while I wait for the fall semester to start at CSU Sacramento, which is much more affordable. My problem is that I'm not sure whether this would be the best option for me in terms of saving money. Most WUE institutions in California are Universities and I would like to apply to one of those to save. If I apply to a community college BEFORE I enter a University would this void my eligibility of becoming approved for the WUE program since I would not be considered as an undergraduate student anymore? I could either go to a community college which is more affordable but it may cost me in the future when I apply to a University where I may not be eligible for the WUE program. Or, I could just not go to school for Spring and wait 'till Fall 2012 and go to a WUE institution where I could save more, being an western undergraduate student?</p>

<p>I'm unsure of what option is best for me and I'm seeking advice from anyone who knows anything about the WUE program. Saving money is my main priority and I'm open to any ideas that I am given. Thank You.</p>

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<p>You will still be an undergraduate student if you attend a CC first, but you would be a transfer rather than a freshman applicant, so you need to take a look at the CSU Sac website to see how applying as a transfer differs from fr application. Also, you should email the CSU Sac WUE administrator and ask about any possible differences in acceptance to WUE for fr vs. transfer students (see the first FAQ for the email address):</p>

<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions, WUE :: Sacramento State](<a href=“http://www.csus.edu/wue/faq.stm]Frequently”>http://www.csus.edu/wue/faq.stm)</p>

<p>I would also ask them if acceptance to WUE is automatic with acceptance to the college, or if it is selective. It varies between WUE schools, for instance at the UOregon, WUE is administered much like a merit scholarship and is selective.</p>