<p>I'm a senior in high school and while I've applied, I have pretty much come to the terms that I'm not going to get accepted at UCSB. However I know for sure I'll get accepted by my backup UC Merced, but I really have my eyes set on UCSB. My question is should I go straight into a community college and TAG into UCSB or just settle with a backup? Will the 2 years of community college really be all that different from a university? I feel like it might be worth it if It guarantees me a spot in UCSB.</p>
<p>How different it is depends on where you go and what you do. Living at home and attending the local CCC is going to be nothing live living away at home at UCSB.</p>
<p>There are options to go the CCC route and get much of the college experience. One example is given in my post at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/468098-backdoor-way-get-into-ucsb.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/468098-backdoor-way-get-into-ucsb.html</a></p>
<p>Wow, this is all great info mike. I knew Santa Barbara had a CC but didn’t think it was so connected with UCSB.Thanks a lot! I’ll for sure look into this.</p>
<p>It’s worth taking a look; just be sure to verify all the info is still current since I wrote that post back in 2008. I think most still applies, but you want to check before you rely on it. Best of luck!</p>
<p>SBCC is a good school. Keep in mind, you do need to get your classes maintain a solid GPA (3.4 i think) at the CC to qualify for the ‘guarantee’. Neither of those a guaranteed. Also, that threshold and course list can change year to year. Planning to transfer introduces risk of delay and the risk that you might not make it to UCSB at all. From a cost perspective - if you have to pay rent, Santa Barbara is a very expensive place to attend a CC. </p>
<p>You don’t mention what you’d like to study or your stats (GPA/SAT) but, I’d encourage you to broaden your horizon a bit. If you can get into Merced, there are lots of CSUs you also qualify for. For most undergrad degrees, a mid range CSU will give you a solid and very marketable education. </p>
<p>Why not apply to Long Beach, Fullerton and Chico as well as UCSB and UCM - once you hear back, take a road trip and check them out.</p>
<p>NCalRent raises some good points. If you are a 3.0 student at Merced then you will be able to get your degree. If you are a 3.0 student at a CC then you are not eligible for TAG at USB, although you might be admitted to UCSB or another UC thru the general admission process. You can then debate how hard it is to earn a given GPA at a CC vs a UC, something I’m not going to get into here.</p>
<p>BTW the GPA required for TAG to UCSB is generally a 3.2 Engineering requires a 3.2 overall but a 3.4 in pre-major courses. Read all the details at [UCSB</a> Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/prospective/TAGLetter.asp]UCSB”>http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/prospective/TAGLetter.asp)</p>
<p>In these forums you find lots of people saying you “should” do this, or “don’t do that”. I shy away from such prescriptions. I want to point out the options, but weighing the advantages and risks is a personal decision that I don’t feel comfortable making for someone else.</p>
<p>dont mind my username, i got to ucsb, but i remember that on the uc apps if you get accepted you can transfer after one year. if you go onto the ucsb transfer students site there is probably infor there</p>
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The only UC that accepts lower-division transfers is Riverside (if space permits) and Davis for a handful of majors you don’t want. See <a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors;