Hi, I’ve been accepted to UC San Diego for Human Bio and UC Davis for Biochem/Molecular Bio, and I am debating whether to go to these schools or community college. I would like to one day go to med school. I come from a middle-class family and I have the whole 30,000+ tuition/room and board (and yes I have been applying for scholarships but haven’t heard back from any). I don’t want to burden my parents to pay this and take out a hefty student loan. Another option is to go to community college for 2 years and then transfer to a UC to save money (called the TAG program).
If I go to a community college, I would certainly save money, but is it worth missing the college experience, making connections with professors, and possibly missing research/internship opportunities offered at a UC? How hard exactly are 1st/ 2nd-year classes at a UC (weeder classes from what I hear)? Is there anybody who used TAG and what is your experience/ is it worth it? Thank you!