<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am an international student and I will start college in spring 07. I'll be attending a CC first, that's much cheaper for me. However, I really can't decide between SMC an SBCC. It'd be great if some people who actually went to one of these schools could share their experiences. Not only about the college itself but about its sorroundings and the city as well.</p>
<p>I know that SMC is considered one of the best CCs in CA, but is it really that much ahead of SBCC? </p>
<p>My ultimate plan is to transfer to a top university, preferably UCB.</p>
<p>Though SMC is more prestigious, go the jc that is most convienent. In the end, you should be able to get into UCB from either school. It will be you that gives yourself the edge in the admissions process, not your cc. </p>
<p>Best wishes, Cardinal</p>
<p>Thanks, I know. But because I'm an international, convenience doesn't play any role here. They're both equally far away from Europe :))</p>
<p>I'm still interested in hearing opinions from people who actually went there. I they were satisfied, etc.</p>
<p>We live about 30 mins from SBCC and lots of kids from our area go there. All have loved it. The campus is very nice, the profs are good, easy transfer to UCs, etc. There is also an arrangement for some students, I think it is the honors program, to live in UCSB dorms if they need housing...go to SBCC website (which is very thorough) and check it out.</p>