<p>I'm a 23 year old "non-traditional" returning student. I will be attending a CC for one year in order to transfer to a different institution (hopefully.) I currently live in NV and wish to attend either Northwestern or NYU.</p>
<p>Here is my concern... Originally, I had intended to attend CC in Illinois, however after dong more research I learned how difficult it is to transfer from out of state to a Public University. So, I was given the advice to attend a CCC. The rationale was: if you apply to NU and NYU it does not matter if you're applying from an ILCC or CCC. Correct? I was advised to attend a CCC in the event I am denied to both. The idea is, if I can't get in to either school I'm interested in, the UC system is a great back-up. In addition to that UCB Haas is also high on my list. If I were to attend a CCC as a out of state student for 1 year, would I be applying as a CA resident after the 2 years, if I were to apply to the UC program? </p>
<p>Also, are some CCCs better than others? I've been told to look at PCC, SMC, and College of the Canyons, as I want to live in the LA area. I was told PCC (Pasadena) would probably be the best bet, is that true?</p>
<p>It's so tough dealing with this from NV, and having a full-time career. I'd appreciate the assistance. </p>
<p>You can establish California residence in just one year, but residency guidelines require that it's not just for educational purposes. They measure this a few ways, like paying California taxes, getting a California driver's license, etc. You can find the full list with a search.</p>
<p>Some CCCs are going to be better than others, but not for admissions purposes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. I will be a CA resident for reasons other than strictly education, and will get all the necessary CA documentation. Thanks. </p>
<p>As far as the CCCs go, I've been recommended to those three: College of the Canyons, Pasadena City College, Santa Monica College. I have been leaning toward Pasadena, simply because I hear it is less crowded. If I were to be in the LA area, is there something that would be a better school? I haven't moved yet, so I'm flexible as far as where I'm able to attend.</p>
<p>Check Welcome</a> to ASSIST to make sure each of the colleges offer preparatory coursework for your major. Select the Community College and UCB or any other UC or CSU campus and finally select your major. If one campus offers all the preparatory coursework and the others only offer a few this might make your decision easy. I hope it helps.</p>
<p>I wouldn't be concerned with how crowded a CCC as you'll find people are constantly coming and going. From what I know, SMC offers far more classes than most Los Angeles Community Colleges (i.e. Pierce, Valley, City, etc...). Instead of focusing on which CCC is "better", I'd take UCD's advice and to go the campus thats offers most or all your major prep courses. Good luck</p>
<p>And i would go to ratemyprofessors.com and go the CC with the easiest teachers, easiest commute and less crowded.</p>
<p>SMC does offer a lot of classes, but from everything i heard, SMC is hard and competative.... and i wouldnt want that especially if HASS is your number one choice. </p>
<p>Additionally, there is nothing barring you form attending multiple CC's. If one course is offered at SMC and not at pasedena, go ahead and register at SMC for a semester or quarter. </p>
<p>I would go to either CC- doesnt really matter, i would probably try them all. I would participate in all transfer gurantee programs and in TAP for UCLA. Complete all Prep courses, and the extra ones needed for HASS. This way, you would basically have average chances at HASS (dont know how strong your overall app is going to be), great chances at UCLA with TAP, and gurantee to just about any other UC, most of the others have admission gurantee programs.</p>
<p>I went to 5 community colleges in san diego, i tried out all of them but 1. And let me tell you, the one i liked the most was not the most popular one. Things that mattered to me were not things most people looked at really. I liked ease of parking, i liked getting the classes i needed, and i liked a campus that was well structured and easy to navigate. Nothing sucks more than running from work to class and looking for parking for 1 hour or worst yet, having a 650am class and parking your car on the other end of campus and trying to make it to work by 830. Been there done that and the little things mattered to me.</p>
<p>That's all great advice. I suppose step one, I need to move to CA... I spent all weekend looking at places to live. I'll start at PCC for the reasons mentioned, and they seem to offer most of the classes I'm looking for. Ideally, I want to transfer after the 1st year to either Northwestern or NYU, however, I'm still not sure. I figured getting my CA residency made sense as a contingency... The UC schools are fantastic. The only reason I prefer NYU and Northwestern to Haas, is location. I'm just not sure so early into this how big a factor location is. </p>
<p>Very good advice from you all... I'll start 1st semester with some general classes I need from PCC and evaluate as I become more familiar with the system. Is TAP something that I need to enroll in from day one?</p>
<p>All of you have been VERY helpful. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>TAP requires you to take honor classes and if you complete X amount of honor classes you get priority consideration at UCLA and choice of alternate major at UCLA. YOu do not have to sign up for immediatley, but you should look at it immediatley because it will dictate what classes you have to take later on . You can not start in honors at community college, you have to get a certain gpa after taking some classes there. SO just make yourself aware of the TAP and make yourself aware of the different transfer agreements available.</p>