[Aquarius]

Hello everyone,

I've been looking for some CCs in California (but I do not mind other states as long as the CC is good).

Can you please recommend me some great CCs? If possible, can you give its pros & cons as well?

Thanks very much in advance!

[iMMA D0Rk XD]

well SMC (Santa Monica College) has a high success rate of students getting into UCs

[whohungjen?]

I hear these are good:
Santa Monica College
Glendale Community College
Citrus College
Foothill College
Fullerton College

i do not recommend:
East Los Angeles College
Pasadena City College
(they're way too crowded)

[KuaiSky]

If you're a California resident, then I HIGHLY suggest that you go to a California CC. Have you heard of in-state vs. out-of-state tuition? You pay way more if you're out-of-state because colleges receive your parents' tax money thus reducing the cost of CC's in your state. The only reason to go to another state's CC is if you want to go to a college in that state (so you gain residency and get the cheaper in-state tuition).

You want to go to a CC anywhere in California? How will you support yourself? If you live with your parents, then I suggest going to a CC nearby so that you save money on living expenses.

Anyway, back to the point...
1) Santa Monica College (SMC): This CC boasts its heavy transfer rate to UC's and other universities. They also are known for providing a wide range of "university-level" courses. If you go here, be prepared to be focused on doing well in your classes like most other students. You'll see a lot of international students as well; the school gets good reputation. They also have very helpful/focused counselors. SMC is considered the "younger sister" to UCLA since they are so close. The campus is very beautiful and well maintained.
The problem, however, is that since it is a good CC, there will be many students. Sign up for courses EARLY or else you might not get the class. Classes will also be generally more difficult since it is a really competitive CC. SMC is also on the westside of Los Angeles and just 20 blocks from the beach; it will be expensive to live there. The cheapest you can do is room with lots of people.

2) Pasadena City College (PCC): This CC is also known for being a good CC in the LA area. Coincidentally it is about the same distance to downtown LA as SMC is... just in the opposite direction and serving the eastside. California Institute of Technology is just a couple blocks away, which is big since it is also a highly reputable university. PCC boasts much of the flare that SMC does for many of the same reasons. Good range of classes. Beautiful campus. Focused students.
Both CC's are crowded. It is just a matter of preference and location.

Another good CC in the LA region is Pierce College serving the north in the San Fernando Valley. It is not as reputable as the other two. Has a decent list of classes. It is also connected to several other CC's (LACCD) so you can easily take classes at other CC's.

I heard that Foothill College southeast of San Francisco is a good college. Nice range of classes, but not near citylife; it also supports many international students.

About me: I live in LA and I did my research for CC's. I am currently go to LACC (near downtown LA) because it is super close and convenient to where I live. I am, however, planning on going to SMC because it is more probable that I will transfer to UCLA since they are so related.

[Aquarius]

Thank you all for the information, this is very helpful!

If you're a California resident, then I HIGHLY suggest that you go to a California CC. Have you heard of in-state vs. out-of-state tuition? You pay way more if you're out-of-state because colleges receive your parents' tax money thus reducing the cost of CC's in your state. The only reason to go to another state's CC is if you want to go to a college in that state (so you gain residency and get the cheaper in-state tuition).

You want to go to a CC anywhere in California? How will you support yourself? If you live with your parents, then I suggest going to a CC nearby so that you save money on living expenses.

Anyway, back to the point...
1) Santa Monica College (SMC): This CC boasts its heavy transfer rate to UC's and other universities. They also are known for providing a wide range of "university-level" courses. If you go here, be prepared to be focused on doing well in your classes like most other students. You'll see a lot of international students as well; the school gets good reputation. They also have very helpful/focused counselors. SMC is considered the "younger sister" to UCLA since they are so close. The campus is very beautiful and well maintained.
The problem, however, is that since it is a good CC, there will be many students. Sign up for courses EARLY or else you might not get the class. Classes will also be generally more difficult since it is a really competitive CC. SMC is also on the westside of Los Angeles and just 20 blocks from the beach; it will be expensive to live there. The cheapest you can do is room with lots of people.

2) Pasadena City College (PCC): This CC is also known for being a good CC in the LA area. Coincidentally it is about the same distance to downtown LA as SMC is... just in the opposite direction and serving the eastside. California Institute of Technology is just a couple blocks away, which is big since it is also a highly reputable university. PCC boasts much of the flare that SMC does for many of the same reasons. Good range of classes. Beautiful campus. Focused students.
Both CC's are crowded. It is just a matter of preference and location.

Another good CC in the LA region is Pierce College serving the north in the San Fernando Valley. It is not as reputable as the other two. Has a decent list of classes. It is also connected to several other CC's (LACCD) so you can easily take classes at other CC's.

I heard that Foothill College southeast of San Francisco is a good college. Nice range of classes, but not near citylife; it also supports many international students.

About me: I live in LA and I did my research for CC's. I am currently go to LACC (near downtown LA) because it is super close and convenient to where I live. I am, however, planning on going to SMC because it is more probable that I will transfer to UCLA since they are so related.

Thank you very much for a detailed post. I just have a question about taking courses in a CC, can you please clarify it for me? Thanks in advance!