<p>Hi all!</p>
<p>First off thanks for taking a look at my post and offering advice, help, or guidance. </p>
<p>I will be transferring for Fall 2013.</p>
<p>applying from a community college in California
Entering as: Junior</p>
<p>HS gpa: 3.1/4.0
College gpa: 4.0/4.0 with 54 units completed with one semester (of between 13-17 units TBD) left</p>
<p>Here is my dilemma/issue: when i first started attending CC my dream school was USC. that was where i wanted to go. I even thought i would be transferring after just one year at cc. I ended up loving cc so much and got some other great opportunities (not to mention the financial difference) that made me come back for my second year. I tagged to UCSB, which is very close the cc i go to, relatively easy transition, already have a ton of great friends, and love the area. USC is still in the back of my mind but as ive gotten closer to the actual transfer ive realized just how much usc is going to cost and i keep asking myself if it is worth it. ive tagged to ucsb as an econ/acct major and would apply to usc as a business admin major. the issue that I have to deal with now (or ASAP) is that i am currently registered for a calculus class next semester (that ive heard is HELLISH) that i would be taking solely for usc. all my stuff for ucsb is completed, as well as any other requirements for the other schools im applying to. what im trying to figure out is if taking this calculus class for the opportunity to apply to usc is even worth it. Would I even go if i was accepted? I would stay with family in SB (which doesnt deter me in the slightest) and therefore would be paying a tuition of about $15,000 at ucsb vs upwards of $50,000 at USC. It will take me 2 years to graduate, therefore is that extra approx. $70,000 extra really worth it for USC over UCSB? Its really difficult for me to make this decision right now because if i drop the calc class and do not apply to usc, it feels like its punching my ticket to ucsb. If i were able to get scholarship or aid to usc that would obviously change the story, but i cant know unless i apply which i cant do unless i take this dumb calc class that i really dont want to take.</p>
<p>Another factor that i am considering is whether or not i want to get an MBA later in life. If i could say for sure i did then going to ucsb would be a little easier. A part of me (for the longest time) has longed to attend a top unviersity and have that be with my name for life. Ucsb is a great, great school, but obviously harvard, stanford, cornell, or even usc is more prestigious. the whole mba thing is too much to talk about here in this post, but you get a sense for the type of factors i am considering. </p>
<p>I will not be taking any student loans so that can be thrown out of the equation (i learned from my sister to stay away from those at all costs if possible).</p>
<p>so there is my dilemma, please help me decide if you can, as to whether or not i should take 1 class just for the chance to apply to usc when i am not sure if i could even go, or do not take it and practically punch my ticket to ucsb. I am confident i can get into usc, it is a matter of getting enough aid/scholarhsip to fund it. as for ucsb, i am hoping i can get into the honors program bc that would make it that much more attractive. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for reading! Look forward to seeing your guys' responses :)</p>