Anyone else regret going to community college instead of 4 year school?

I totally feel for you on this one. I graduated from high school in 2006 and I could not make up my mind on where I wanted to go to college until the last minute. I ended up going to ASU for 5 weeks, hated it, dropped out, moved back home (to LA), went to community college for a two years, and then transferred to UCLA (which I loved) and graduated.

I always encourage people to go to community college, because it saves lots of money and, if you work hard enough, you can transfer to basically any school you want to! In your case though, I would say go to Boston! I don't want to sound like a boring loser, because, trust me, I like partying and having fun just as much as the next girl, but Santa Barbara is a whole other world of partying.

Pretty much everyone who I know who has gone there has gotten into hard drugs, and the lifestyle there of partying all the time, it just seems kinda horrible. I feel like in Southern California everyone loses all respect for you if you go to Santa Barbara for college. Actually, its a lot like the lifestyle at ASU, which is fun for a little, like a weekend visit, but its hard to stay focused on any work, and, the worst part is, I feel like you don't form genuine friendships.

They're more like, lets get drunk/high together friendships. You said that you're "highly intelligent and motivated", and it sounds like you are, meaning you would definitely feel like you're surrounded by idiots in Santa Barbara. I feel like schools like Boston and UCLA have the perfect balance of people who want to have fun, but also want to form friendships, and care about school.

Boston is a great school, and you should be so proud of yourself for getting in, not embarrassed! The best part about your decision? If you go to Boston and you hate it - switch schools!

I feel like people stress out so much about these life decisions and we forget that they aren't permanent things that we can't change. I would recommend not being an idiot like me, and at least holding out until the end of the semester though haha. Here's a little secret that I learned recently: During your first semester at college everyone is going to post statuses about how much they love their new school, their roommate, post pictures of their new sorority, but the truth is, everyone feels a little uncomfortable, everyone is nervous, because you're on your own for the first time and it's different, but I promise that despite what it looks like on fb, everyone feels that way.

And, even more importantly, that feeling will pass and you'll get used to it. Honestly, it sounds like you know that Boston is the right decision, but you're just nervous, which is completely normal. It is the scarier choice, because the work will be harder and you're moving further away, but you can handle it!

Good luck :-).

Boston College is a very good college, many of the grads from my son's LA private school attend there and they really like it. Boston is a great city, especially for college students. But that being said, weather is a factor, I know it drives the admissions people at Harvard crazy when CA kids don't accept their offers with weather being one of the main reasons.

I totally understand this, and I know it's likely to be an issue for my son. Don't underestimate SBCC, or any good CC, or the students. The classes can be very rigorous, it depends on what level they are.

The main problem is that SBCC is one of the popular CC's, so it's tough to get the classes you need to transfer in the 2 years. You might need to have a schedule starting early morning and ending late night, with holes in it, making it hard to work, or you might need to attend for 2.5+ years. (That might be a problem, look into Spring transfers, if they are available, or you might have to take summer school, but there are far less classes.) Have you looked to see if the classes you want to take are available?

It's all online right now. If many of the classes you want to take are closed or heavily waitlisted, that might make up your mind for you. SBCC has interesting study abroad programs, not quite as interesting as PCC, but good for a community college.

The cost of attendance realistically is higher than $18,000 for SB for 9 months, add another $2000, and also summer expenses. The successful transfer rate to UCLA from CA CC's averages 30%, and no college with a large number of transfers has a significantly higher percentage. Look into the UCLA Honors/Scholars transfer program with priority consideration, but it's not a sure thing.

USC isn't easy to transfer to either. (Their freshman acceptance rate is down to 18%, much lower than BC.) UCSB is a sure thing if you're successfully complete the TAG transfer program. Once you live in SB, you might not want to ever move.

Boston College will give you a total college experience, which you won't get at SBCC, it's something to think about. There is a chance you could transfer to a So Cal college later, but it might not be easy. You'll want to do super well at BC to have a chance to transfer.

Community College students, and then UC students at other campuses, have by far the highest priority for transferring into UCLA. Also, check on residency issues for UCLA, I think it's OK since your parents still live here and if you don't do things to become a resident of MA. Check the SBCC website for the classes you'd want to take, that may be the deciding factor for you.

You will not be able to register for classes immediately (although you can apply online and be accepted today), priority is based on completed units at SBCC, so more classes will close in the meantime before you get your class registration date/time. Oh, and UCSB and SBCC are not about partying all the time, some may choose it, but no one has to, and plenty are happy without it. (Relatives work for UCSB and SBPD, one attends SBCC.) Good luck with your decision!

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