My son didn’t get into the UC’s he wanted to, and decided to pass on Arizona, Boulder, Oregon, and Chico (mostly due to $, and just didn’t vibe to Chico). He wants to move away from home (we’re in the South Bay of LA). We’ve zeroed in on Santa Barbara City College and Cabrillo College. Trying to decide between the two. Love any and all input on either/or/comparisons. Thanks!
Is he targeting UCSB or UCSC?
You can check http://www.assist.org to see which offers better coverage for the courses for his possible majors at his desired target schools. It is common (but not universal) that community colleges near UCs or CSUs tend to have better coverage than others for some majors that have more specialized courses.
He’s interested in UCSD, UCD, and UCSC. We’ve been on the joyful UX that is assist.org.
@SADMBDAD If he’s looking for the “college experience” while attending a CC, SBCC is the clear choice as there are private dorms in Isla Vista that he could apply to (Tropicana Gardens, etc). I would double check to make sure it’s not already full though as there will be UCSB freshman students living there as well. Cabrillo college would have more students transferring to UCSC, and SBCC have more students transferring to UCSB. I’m not aware of a dorm situation for Cabrillo college students but I could be wrong. Good luck to your son!
I do find it interesting that people kind of zero in on the community college near the campus of certain UC’s as if that has any influence (I actually thought it did as well). In speaking with some transfer specialists at two UC’s they said it makes no difference at all. More about where the kid wants to live.
The influence is not so much for transfer admission, but for course coverage of uncommon courses at the local UC or CSU.
Yep, makes no difference where he goes as to where he’ll end up.
My friends who went to SBCC loved it and loved the dorm experience
SBCC is a good CC but, It takes a special kid to resist all the distractions of Isla Vista. I know a lot more kids who washed out than made it to any UC in less than 3 years.
He’s not really a partier, and we’re going to try and find him a place close to SBCC - walking distance actually, so that might help! He did choose SBCC…
Does anyone know of any other dorm style living situations where a student could attend a cc but still experience a traditional college “experience”? My daughter is a rising senior and we are exploring all our options.
I guess I’d say know your kid, and know what he wants (not always the same thing)
Given your son didn’t get into UCs he wanted it sounds like he’s a pretty good student to be trying, and perhaps he even got into some UC schools. It is true that if you want to sit around and party you can find kids to do that in IV, but you can also find that in the dorms at any UC. And every year tons of kids are going away from home to live in college towns, same deal. So if you expect he has the inner drive to focus on school then it’s worth considering Isla Vista.
There are only a handful of college towns in CA (I’d nominate Isla Vista, Davis, Cal Poly SLO) where you have a mass of student predominately living away from home and not stirred into a larger city. Education is more than just the classes; it’s making friends to talk with, study with, date, etc. Many people have college memories of bull conversations that changed their viewpoint or at least opened their eyes that not everyone sees the world the way they do. Living in Isla Vista gives your son a chance to live in such a community, surrounded by thousands of other smart kids. There are lots of reasons to prefer such a place that have nothing to do with just looking for more parties.
@GusGus5: Here is a link to CC’s with dorms. http://www.cccco.edu/CommunityColleges/CollegeHousing.aspx
Great point @mikemac - it’s why we chose SBCC. I think since he has no car, living closer to SBCC is a pretty choice, and we’ll see what next year brings us!
Awesome choice. Good luck.