Transfer from UCR to UCI or stay in CC for one more year

I didn’t get into UCI this year. Not a big surprise since I’m still few classes short to fulfill all the lower divisions requirements. I applied for a few schools just to give it a shot and was accepted by UCR and CSUF. However I really just want to go to UCI not particularly for the School but just for close it is. I live in south OC just 10 minuets away uci. I also stay home with my toddler so commuting to both Fullerton(45 minuets) and Riverside (1hr) would cost me so much on childcare over time. But with my situation, transfer and get my degree as soon as possible is also equally important.
Should I stay in cc for one more year then TAG to uci, or should I go to UCR(or CSU) for a year then try to transfer to UCI? I want to ask the question here because I didn’t find any articulation between these schools and want to see if anybody has transfer from UC or CSU to another UC before.

If UCI is your ultimate goal, then doing TAG is your best option and staying another year at a CC might be better in the long run. Even though UCI TAG is guaranteed, there is still the possibility of not qualifying for TAG next year so what would you do then?

UC to UC transfers are possible, but you have to be careful if you start taking upper division courses at UCR since the UC’s are very particular with the # of units of upper division credits that can transfer. If it is all lower division, then it should not be an issue, however if finances are an issue then the CC TAG to UCI route makes more sense financially. If you do go the UC to UC route make sure you get a letter of reciprocity so you have all your GE’s covered for the transfer.

CSU to UC’s are possible but more difficult than UC to UC transfers since some of the CSU courses do not articulate well to UC courses. You would have to cross reference your CSUF courses to a CC using assist.org and then to UCI.

I’d recommend the cc for one more year. In addition to the commute to say, Fullerton, parking is a bear and you have to get there early to get a spot. (Dunno about UCR.)

Given your parenting duties…

Yes you are right I think my biggest fear is to wait for another year and still couldn’t get into UCI, it’s a competitive school and I saw cases this year that got waitlisted even with TAG. Plus my goal is to get credentialed after so that’s one extra year plus another if I stay in cc. Thanks so much for your replies it definitely gave me some insights!

Yes I heard that about parking in Fullerton. My sister in law went there and warned me about the traffic plus parking and said I need to budget a good 1hr 30 minuets to not be late for class(even though it’s just 45 minuets drive w/o traffic. I think I have to drive to both school and find my building to get a better idea. Thanks so much for the reply!

It’s important to be realistic in this scenario. If it’s possible to TAG, as in you can see yourself being able to meet the requirements by the next cycle, then I’d do it. Try to figure out a course plan, and see if you can be a legitimate candidate by the next cycle. UC to UC transfers are tougher, and I feel like UCR is gonna always be there for you as a back-up. So worse comes to worse, you can go to UCR next year. Plus if the end goal is to go to UCI, you’d be wasting money at UCR