<p>I can't make up my mind and its driving me mad! I'm a high school senior and I was accepted to UC Santa Barbara but I got no financial aid or scholarships or anything. I don't know whether to go to UCSB and end up in debt, or go to community college, transfer and hopefully earn some scholarships. I do plan on applying to pharmacy school after undergrad, would going to community college affect my chances of getting in to UCSF or USC pharmacy? I'm really stuck trying to decide between UCSB or going to Pasadena City College for two years and transfering. Anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks</p>
<p>Could you commute to UCSB?</p>
<p>No its about 2 hours from here.</p>
<p>my personal take since i used to be biochem/premed:</p>
<p>Going to a community college will not hurt your chances of getting into a medical/pharmacy school including those as prestigious as UCSF (however, you'll soon learn that any of the top 50 will suffice for anything health related).</p>
<p>The disadvantages are of course missing out on the perks of going to a 4 year university such as interning with named professors, working in research labs at a uni (still possible at cc with other uni's but uni's typically prefer to let their own students intern), and other things.</p>
<p>You are still expected to maintain a very high gpa (3.5+), superb mcat scores (i'm not sure if this applies to pharmacy school but i would assume so), and extracurriculars showing compassion and interest in health-related services.</p>
<p>And if your aim is towards UCSF, you probably know that they're looking for the best candidates in the world, so making the most efficient/effective use of your time is nothing but expected for a competitive UCSF candidate.</p>
<p>So in my opinion, if money is an issue, I'd take a compitent community college any day because you're put in an easier environment to exceed your goals (its becoming pretty common for people to go CC route for med schools to avoid weeder classes).</p>
<p>Go to CCC save the money.</p>
<p>Visit the community college and try to get a sense of it. If you can put up with that feel for awhile, then go for it.</p>
<p>I would say: going to a CCC would save a lot of money plus it does not hurt your chance of getting in premed major if you maintain a high GPA at the CCC. </p>
<p>I turned down UCR to go to a CCC and I'm very happy now that I have been accepted to many schools. Wait, UCR still does not give me the decision yet; ahhaah strange.</p>
<p>pretty much everyone here will say go to CC, its easier for your head and your wallet. i'd suggest spread out the course load, but always take winter and summer courses, and work during school, it will look better on your transfer app. and SAVE what you earn, a few extra thousand saved up now will help alot later on</p>
<p>Yeah, that is a nice summary of what most of us do in a typical CCC.</p>
<p>I am familiar with PCC and they have good transfer agreements. The problem is getting the courses you need in 2 years. My D has attended for 2 terms and is trying to transfer now because it is becoming increasingly hard to get classes, so you may end up spending 3 years trying to get the classes you need to transfer. She has several friends at UCSB doing very well academically and having a good time. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Don't go to PCC. O-chem classes in there fill up within a few days. holy ****</p>
<p>There are summer research programs for CC student, mostly in CUSLA, but you have to pay like 3k-4k.</p>