Straight to University or Transfer?

[rakbarut]

Over the past summer, I have really fallen in love with Physics. It is the most beautiful of subjects and I am pretty sure I want to pursue it as a career. Here is the problem i am facing right now...I am currently a senior in high school and although my grades and sats/acts are alright (3.7 Unweighted, 2040 SAT, and 32 ACT) they are not good enough to get into a top-notch university like Stanford or Berkeley, yet I am almost positive I can get into UCSB, which has a really good physics program. The question I ask is should I go to UCSB straight out of high school, where i have opportunities to work in labs and intern, or should i go to a CC and transfer after two years(maybe one because i have already taken 5 college courses as well as multiple A.Ps) to a better university like UcB or Caltech (since i live in Pasadena, and they have an agreement with Pasadena Community College)??

 

[TMFKAN64]

If you really want to work in the field of physics, you will probably find yourself going to graduate school, in which case your choice of undergraduate institution is somewhat less important. In that case, I would say that your decision is mainly a matter of economics... CC and then a university would be cheaper, but if you can afford it, it is probably better to go directly to a university so you can get to know the profs and students in the department.

 

[Astronuc]

Over the past summer, I have really fallen in love with Physics. It is the most beautiful of subjects and I am pretty sure I want to pursue it as a career. Here is the problem i am facing right now...I am currently a senior in high school and although my grades and sats/acts are alright (3.7 Unweighted, 2040 SAT, and 32 ACT) they are not good enough to get into a top-notch university like Stanford or Berkeley, yet I am almost positive I can get into UCSB, which has a really good physics program. The question I ask is should I go to UCSB straight out of high school, where i have opportunities to work in labs and intern, or should i go to a CC and transfer after two years(maybe one because i have already taken 5 college courses as well as multiple A.Ps) to a better university like UcB or Caltech (since i live in Pasadena, and they have an agreement with Pasadena Community College)??

I'm sure you can get into Berkeley with that GPA and SAT score. There's also UCSD and others. Caltech should also be possible.

Just apply to all of those schools and see what happens. Scholarships and perhaps student work/employment should be available. Explore ALL your options for financial assistance and work.

 

[rakbarut]

Thanks for the advice, ill defiantly take what both you guys said into consideration...also, does UCSD or UCSB have a better physics program? I kind of like UCSB better because there seems to be a lot of opportunities to do lab research which I know is crucial to getting into a good graduate program, but will I get the same opportunities or more at UCSD?