I’m a student coming from the Ohio that is looking for a few answers to some important questions that I have.
First off, background information:
I have a 3.87 GPA with a 1750 SAT score (I’m likely not eligible for SBCC’s honor program due to a history of C’s.)
I’m planning to become a resident of California for lower tuition costs - I don’t plan on going back to my home state.
My first question: How would I go about transferring to UCLA from SBCC? I wish to matriculate to UCLA by junior year, but I want all the tips possible on getting into the school.
Second; how would I go about becoming a resident of California? Is the process difficult? Can I complete it before the start of college?
And lastly, what about housing? I don’t have a grandiose budget to sustain me, but enough to get by. Whats the best housing opportunity offered by SBCC that has public transportation to the school (or by bicycle, that works, too).
Here is a link for estabilishing residency for tuition purposes. I would post on the UC transfers thread where you would get more informed answers about transferring and information for SBCC.
gaining CA residency while a student is nearly impossible. Simply put, you need to move here, live and work as a self sufficient adult for at least a year, then enroll.
The cost of living in the Santa Barbara area is absurdly high - and jobs for low skilled workers don’t pay much. it is a difficult place to get by while you wait out your residency status. You won’t qualify for student housing either. Think about how much that will cost - and then add the fact you wouldn’t be earning post college salary until at least a year later. That kinda makes the out of state premium a little less daunting.
SBCC has a solid track record preparing students for UCs - particularly UCSB. But- there are lots of distractions.
Apply to directly to some UCs and see what happens. I’d also encourage you to look at CA privates like LMU and USD which are known for generous grants.
I’ve researched and found that there’s plenty of places to rent in SB that are around $400-500 a month. That’s less a month than having a dorm at a state school in my area. The only issue is finding a job that can supplement at least 200-300 a month.
Tuition can be handled by student loans. Tuition at SBCC as an out-of-state student is about the same as a state school here. The year I spend there paying out-of-state gives me enough time to become a resident before I start attending UCSB/UCLA - and I’ll be able to pay in-state by that time.
Shouldn’t be as difficult as you stated. I’m sure I could find a job as a server at a restaurant in which I could make more than the needed amount to pay for rent.
In terms of distractions, I face plenty of distractions here in terms of drugs and partying; neither affect me to the point that I can’t keep up with my studies. I doubt I’ll succumb to those circumstances in Santa Barbara.
