I could use some advice...

<p>Hey everyone. I'm a senior in high school applying to some of the UC's. I'm applying to UCLA, UCB, UCSD, UCSB, and UCD. I'm planning to get accepted to UCSD, UCSB, and UCD and rejected from UCLA and UCB (SAT's aren't high enough...everything else looks good!). Out of the schools I'll get into, my favorite is UCSB...but I'd love to go to UCLA. Here's my question: Should I wait 2 years at a CCC then transfer to UCLA, or should I come to UCSB next year? What does UCSB have to offer that UCLA doesn't? If you were me, what would you do? Thanks a bunch!</p>

<p>Instead of posting this on every board, let's just say it would be more beneficial to post it on the general UC board.</p>

<p>Anyway, UCSB is a great school. I wouldn't waste 2 years at a CCC. It would be disappointing I would think. I take 2 classes at a CCC, I'm a senior, and I hate it. I can't see staying at one for two years.</p>

<p>Sorry about posting everywhere. I just am having a real hard time thinking about this...can you tell me what you like/dislike about UCSB, Gospy? </p>

<p>And a side note: my CCC experience would be a unique one. I'm very involved (like most people on this site) at my high school. I love it here. I'm ready to leave for college, but I don't want to leave high school lol. If I went to the CCC, which is about 2 miles from my high school, I'd serve as an asst. English teacher and teach the a cappella vocal groups. Honestly, I think I'd have fun...</p>

<p>What should I do? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to attend UCSB, but I wouldn't hate it at CCC w/ the chance to transfer to UCLA. Anyone? Thanks.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you were me, what would you do?

[/quote]
If I were you I'd make a list of what's important to me in a college education. Location, class size, prestige, people who go there, etc; anything you can think of thats important to YOU in choosing a college. Then evaluate your choices based on this list. </p>

<p>Hopefully you did something like this at least implicitly when you picked colleges in the first place, but many kids don't. They just apply to all the UC schools and figure they'll sort it out later. Not a great idea. You should be able to list succinctly WHY you like ucla, what it has that ucsb doesn't, etc.</p>

<p>Anyway, with a specific list of what you want in college it will be much easier to compare ucsb to a community college and figure out whats right for you.</p>

<p>Making a comparative list that shows UCLA vs. UCSB vs. UCD vs. CCC vs. etc. would make a ton of sense...which is probably why I've been working on such a list for about 4 months...trust me, I didn't just apply to the UC system to "figure it out later." Maybe I'll put a different spin on my list or something to make it so everything doesn't come out to even. Thanks for the time.</p>

<p>There is one more alternative that you might not have considered. A year at ucsb, then a year at the CC, actually at SBCC. Here's why. </p>

<p>CC college students get priority in enrolling at UCs as junior xfers. You'd have to check with ucla about whether this is ok, but I remember reading that if you have a certain number of units at a CC and it was the last college you attended you're considered a CC xfer even if you attended a 4-year school (BTW get ucla's response in writing unless they can point you to a section in the ucla catalog or web that says this so if they deny it later you have proof its what they said).</p>

<p>So you spend your 1st year at ucsb and make friends, get the full uc experience. 2nd year you move to Isla Vista which is what most kids do, and you have friends so finding roomates is no problem plus you know lots of people. SBCC is only a few miles away from IV, and they have a xfer program all set up that has UC-approved classes. Too boot, you're even allowed to take 1 class at ucsb each semester. </p>

<p>So you'll get a lot of the UC experience your 1st 2 years, be living away from home, and have a leg up in transferring.</p>

<p>I'm going to be honest, I applied to both UCSB and UCLA, and really had my heart set on UCLA. I was pretty bummed when I got rejected, but am so glad I chose SB. I spent a little bit of time at UCLA right before their winter break, and compared to UCSB, I would choose SB anyday. Not that UCLA is a bad school, I LOVE the location, but UCSB has such a pretty campus, and the attitude of the people in Santa Barbara just seems so much more laid back than that of LA. I'm not knocking LA, I still think it's an INCREDIBLE school, but I have to say that SB is so pretty and such a great environment. Sory if that doesn't provide any great advice but, just my take :)</p>

<p>Thanks Vernexto. I know I'd love it at UCSB, as well as UC Davis. It would be great, but so would Berkeley or UCLA, except they would still be 2 years away...here's a question: how important is the name UCB or UCLA? I mean UCD, UCSB, etc. are UC's too, how much is the name "Berkeley" or "UCLA" actually worth?</p>

<p>Go to UCSB! I know I don't know you, but from experience, going to 2 years of community college is b-0-r-i-n-g and easy. I really wanted to get the college experience and move out and live in a freshman dorm and I didnt get the opportunity to. Now I feel that I'm going to have to "make-up" the first two years of real college that I missed. You will not miss anything at a CCC, but you will miss something at a university. Also, have you visited UCLA? I always wanted to go there until i visitied the campus. I dont like westwood, its too busy for me and also if you drive 10 minutes in any direction its kind of crumy</p>