<p>You go straight to a UC because you have shown that you work best with that level of rigor and opportunity. Peers at the UC we the type that bring out the academic best in you, and you have a pattern of pushing yourself when you share classes with them. You have already demonstrated mastery of several JC level classes, and the curriculum your up to may not be available at the JC.</p>
<p>You need the intellectual stimulation of a university...with a free flow of new ideas and conversation. You need a university to quench your thirst for knowledge and the greatest academic challenge you can find. You'll die in the restrictive confines of a junior college...your brain will atrophy without the constant freshness of unbridled intellect prodding and urging you to your full capacity.</p>
<p>Plus, if you go to a JC you're thinking a Harley and some tattoos will go well with living at home.</p>
<p>1)Commute to the local UC, it costs about $6-7K a year and get a part-time job or work in the summer to pay for it.
2)Get good grades so you can qualify for scholarships like UC Regents, I know my relatives did and they are pretty wealthy. The parents did not want to pay a dime for college. The kids live at home and got UC Regents to pay for tuition and books.</p>
<p>lol so if your parents met someone who goes to a JC/CC and now believe that it is the best option, why don't you try getting someone who goes to a UC that you know and have him/her convince your parents that a UC is the way to go...</p>
<p>other than that, i still am sticking to what i said originally... if your parents believe that you shouldn't go to a UC if you don't have a major in mind, just show them strong commitment to premed or w/e...</p>
<p>I went to a community college for two years and it was okay. Not as many interesting classes and pretty much no "school spirit." I lived away from home though in a completely different state so it wasn't like "high school" continued for me. I would say, coming from a JC student, you will not be challenged as much and the odds of you dropping out increase A LOT when you attend a JC vs University. There is less pressure to succeed. Show them the statistics of JC students who drop out before getting their AA as well as those who never pursue higher education beyond that. </p>
<p>On the flip side there ARE a lot of merits to attending JC but I won't go into them here. Don't completely discount the idea though. I've learned tons, met some great people and saved approximately a hundred thousand dollars by attending JC. </p>
<p>Maybe your parents should let you pay for the first two years of University minus what it would have cost them to send you to a JC and they can pay the second two years. That way you prove to them how truly dedicated you are and how much the University environment means to you. Prove your worth to them - I'm sure they have a reason for their actions.</p>
<p>Why go to a UC when it more expensive? Because it is a better fit. Because you know you will have more academic success there. And how will you know this? You don't say how old you are, but if there is still time, take a semester class at the local CC. Then take a summer class at the local UC. Compare and contrast. SHOW your parents why one is better for you than the other. (see if your assumptions are correct) Another tactic is to convince your parents that gaining admission to a UC as a freshman will be easier now rather than gambling on the crazy admissions market two years later. Thats two more years of straight A's at the college level, which you may or may not be able to do. And then what? A private school at twice the cost? Have you thought abot the happy medium of a CSU school? Less expensive than the UC's and still a great education. Remember, you can learn anywhere if you want to learn. I hope you end up with a great fit, wherever that is. BTW, maybe your parents can't afford another $26,000.00 a year (= income of $40,000.00 or more before taxes) while your brother is in school as well. If that is the case, then you need to be having a different discussion. No one is OWED a college education. Let your parents know you are willing to work for it. Good luck.</p>
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I would say, coming from a JC student, you will not be challenged as much and the odds of you dropping out increase A LOT when you attend a JC vs University. There is less pressure to succeed.
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<p>CC student here too. I agree that the "challenging yourself" part of college is less readily available at a cc, but, both this and staying on track ultimately depends on how much initiative you remember to take on your own. </p>
<p>CC (at least from my experience) demands a lot more independent responsibility - less councelors, tutors and no stable social support system (like people have noted, cc has a very high turnover) means it becomes all in your own hands to enroll with the highest-bar teachers, approach them about tougher courseload, sign up for independent study, etc.</p>
<p>It's absolutely not impossible to be very stimulated at a cc, I don't think. If you enjoy working independently it might even be a very decent environment.</p>