Hello, ive recently applied to UCI and UCR. Most likely ill get into ucr but i dont think ill get into uci because its so hard to get in. My mind has been set on UCI for a long time. But if i do not get into UCi, is it better to attend UCR instead or transfer from a CC to UCI?
UCI is probably more highly regarded. If your heart is set on it, go to CC and get high grades, then transfer. There is no disadvantage that I can think of financially. If you were planning on living on campus and immerse yourself in the college experience, go to UCR, and get good grades, then transfer. (I assume you can transfer between the UCs.)
Barring specific reasons for needing to attend UCI such as it offers a major they don’t at Riverside, my advice would be to attend UCR all 4 years if you don’t get into UCI.
Some people have no alternative but to attend a CC and then transfer and it can work out ok, but it is not ideal. The college experience is more than just the classes listed on your transcript. You should get to know some faculty for advice and for recs once you graduate. This is easier to do if you spend all 4 years at the same school. The same can be said for making friends. The start of frosh year and everyone is looking to make new friends. This is less true for college juniors. And there’s something to be said for just knowing how things work. When you transfer you start all over getting familiar with the campus and area, the way the school is organized, where to turn for help, etc.
Another issue with CC’s is the low transfer rate. According to a study that looked at categories of students at CA CC’s, one bracket was “only those students who meet the minimum requirements for transfer to a UC or CSU; they have completed the equivalent of 2 full-time years of coursework with a passing grade, including the required math and English courses. Fewer than 10 percent of CCC students reach this status”. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED537841.pdf A dedicated student will make it, but there is no denying 90% of the kids around you will not and this will affect the way classes are run, how “eggheads” that do the homework and take part in class are treated by peers, etc.
I don’t want to make it sound too daunting to transfer, but staying at one school is easier. And much of what makes a difference in your future is not the name on the diploma but what you do. Do you work for good grades? Get to know profs for good recs? Take part in research if that is relevant to your major? Get internships and other experience relevant to your career goals? They don’t hand you this at Irvine, or at Riverside. It’s on your shoulders.