UC Riverside vs CC transfer to UC for Computer Engineering

I got admitted to UC Riverside Computer Engineering and am currently stuck in a dilemma. Would it be better to study computer engineering at UC Riverside for 4 full years or start off 2 years at a community college (specifically Pasadena City College) and then transfer into a UC?

I heard UC Riverside has a really good engineering program so I feel like I should seize that opportunity. Although another part of me wants to go to UCLA for computer engineering by transferring from a community college.

Which option would be the best for me (in terms of opportunities and future-wise)? Would studying for 4 years at a UC grant me more opportunities (especially research-wise)? I feel like UC Riverside seems like the best option but I also want to gather more information before I commit. Thanks!

I’m confused… you say you want the opportunities coming from a UC, so you’re not sure about UC Riverside (a UC)?

@albertsax I want the opportunities from UCR. Although I was wondering if transferring from a CC to another UC would equally grant me the same opportunities as well? (saves me the tuition as well)

If affordability is an issue then a CC to UC transfer is a good option especially with TAG, however if you can afford to attend UCR now then I would definitely take the opportunity and enroll.

Your situation is not uncommon, in the Bay Area there are always many “Berkeley or bust” kids who would rather go to CCC and get a second chance to go to Berkeley rather than going to a “lower” UC. As such, I’m sure there are many down south that have the same “Bruin or bust” mentality as well. You also do have the option of transferring direct too i.e. from UCR to UCLA if you want, though that is not as common.

It’s a tough call. Certainly there are some advantages with the CCC route both monetarily and with some of the guaranteed transfer pacts. But then again UCR is a pretty good school in Engineering, and UCLA Engineering is uber-tough to get into.