<p>Hi everyone I hope that you're all good , this year I'll pass my final hight school exam and since I was young my ultimate goal was to study in the US specially Technologie and computer science , this year I have to make few choices but I'm a little lost by all the possibilities and some questions are unanswered in my head :</p>
<p>From a financial point of view , may I apply for a 2 years college then transfer to a 4 years college or apply directly as freshman for a 4 years college with financial aid for international students ?</p>
<p>I have seen that Santa Monica Community College has a pretty good ranking in computer science studies , but after getting the associate degree there how many choices of transfer I'll have except UCLA and Caltech ( it's too expensive for me =/ ) ? and what do you think about this CC ?</p>
<p>The reason why I choosed the USA is for the good quality of the studies so could you recommend me some good and cheap community colleges or universities in california ( I have a friend there )</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for reading my message and answer me =)</p>
<p>Community colleges are indeed cheaper, but very few universities offer financial aid or scholarships for international transfer students. So I’d go with applying as a freshman directly to universities. </p>
<p>Very few universities offer financial aid to internationals in California. USC has a full tuition merit scholarship for freshmen. Occidental College has international financial aid, so does Harvey Mudd College.</p>
<p>As on CCs, sorry, but I don’t know a lot about them.</p>
<p>Going to community college as an international will cost almost same as attending a proper college so I recommend that u go to a proper college… U can google about colleges which offer fin aid to int. students…</p>
<p>You need to look at the cost: Santa Monica CC COA for an international X2 + 2 years at a UCX2 vs. 4 years at a CSU, for example or vs. 4 years at a selective private college that would select you for a scholarship.
(Scholarships are competitive, you only get one if you’re among the best applicants)
California is tricky because there’s no financial aid for internationals even merit aid. The UCs are famous enough that people will gladly pay $50,000 per year to attend so they don’t need anything to attract more international applicants than they have space for.
You’d be better off in other states frankly if you need financial aid and really want to study in the US.
However, for CA, as has been said before:
Occidental, Pomona, McKenna, Pitzer, Scripps (if you are a girl), Harvey Mud (if you want to study CS/engineering), Stanford all offer financial aid but you must be excellent at everything (best in your school, in sports, in art, volunteering, etc); Whittier does too and is less selective but it has less money. Pepperdine if you’re conservative and religious, as do other evangelical schools.
If you’re dead set on California that’s about it; You should go to their website and “request info” so that you can see what matches your level, financial means, and possibilities.</p>
<p>Hi all and thanks a lot for all your answers , If it’s necessary I can choose an other state but the reason why I choosed California in the beginning it’s because the most great jobs in technology and CS stream are in California (Cisco, NASA, …) and I think that a can make a better career there . However I’m open minded for suggestions of others good and not expensive CC or University in others states (CS and technology stream)</p>
<p>“I think that a can make a better career there”</p>
<p>It is not necessary to study CS in California to get a job in California. Students from programs all over the country find internships and permanent jobs there.</p>
<p>However, you also need to know that there is no guarantee whatsoever that you will be able to find a work visa sponsor after graduating and using up your CPT time. Be sure that whatever you study (and wherever you study) will get you a job outside the US after graduation.</p>