Transferring to a private college in California?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I just completed my freshman year at a state university on the east coast. My goal is to apply as a transfer student in California after taking a year off to save some money.
My cumulative GPA is 3.41. After my first semester I was invited to join the honors program at my university.
In high school my GPA was around 3.7. My test scores weren't great (550 critical reading, 540 math, 580 writing). I took the AP literature & comp exam, was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Class Standing: 19/194.
The colleges that I am looking into are (ordered by interest):
Pitzer College
Chapman University
Pepperdine University
University of Redlands</p>

<p>I am hoping to move out to California for a year before going back to school. I am torn between going to a community college and then transferring to a UC or CSU, or applying to a private university instead?</p>

2

<p>A UC is going to be insanely expensive as an out of state. A private might give you more financial aid.</p>

3

<p>I would be living there for a year to gain in-state residency regardless. I am taking a year off.</p>

4

<p>I’m not positive but I highly doubt living in CA for a year will qualify you as “in state” for tuition purposes at UC’s or CSU’s.</p>

5

<p>If you read my post above, you would see that I would be attending a community college for two years after a year of living there, not going directly to either a UC or a CSU after one year.</p>

6

<p>But really what I more concerned with is my initial question.
Anyone?</p>

7

<p>1 year or 1 year plus two at a California CC won’t get you in state residency for tuition purposes.</p>

<p>The four privates you listed seem like reaches. I would suggest St. Marys, U of SF, and U of the Pacific for potential matches. </p>

<p>However, if you are going to do 2 more years of CCC before transfer, maybe your gpa will bump up. Plus then you SAT scores won’t be needed either.</p>

8

<p>Oh–and if you go to a CCC for 2 years and have enough units between a 4year college abd the CCC to be a senior level transfer you will be disqualified immediately from the UCs. (CSUs currently don’t care.)</p>