Go to a CSU or stay at CC for a year then go to a UC?

Question

Ok so I'm in a dilemma. I'm a History major who has ok grades (not enough to get into UCI or UCSD which is what I want) and I have the option of going to a CSU this year. If I stay an extra year at a CC I can go to a UC. Now my question is, is it worth it to stay an extra year to attend a UC? Also I plan on going to grad school just don't know for what yet.

Answer 1

It depends.  Are your grades not good enough because you didn't apply yourself, or were you working to the best of your ability? If you just slacked, you might want to take the CC and transfer to UC option. If you worked hard, you might be better off at a state school where (generally) it's not quite as competitive. Cal States have many advantages over UCs, however. They're cheaper, classes are smaller, and professors tend to be more concerned with teaching than research. By going straight to a CSU you'd have the opportunity to live in the dorms, which is so great. You could also transfer to a UC from a CSU. Good luck!