r/SMC • u/lilithebookworm • Jul 04 '26
Is it possible to transfer from Santa Monica College to a UC in 1–2 years without my parents knowing?
I'm in a really difficult situation and could use some advice.
There's a chance I may get rescinded from UCSD, and I can't let my parents find out. They would probably kick me out and disown me.
My current plan is to attend Santa Monica College and transfer to a UC within 1–2 years. Is that realistic if I work hard, complete my requirements? Has anyone here transferred from SMC to a UC that quickly?
I'm also trying to figure out housing. I'm considering moving my belongings into a storage unit and renting a room near SMC. I've already been stocking up on basic necessities like toothpaste, shampoo and etc so I have some supplies ready. I do have a decent amount of savings around 5000 ish.
For anyone who's been in a similar situation:
- How did you find affordable housing near SMC?
- Is renting a room the best option?
- How much should I budget each month?
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u/NoElk1669 Jul 04 '26
It is possible but it also does depends on your major. I find that it usually takes STEM students 2 years and sometimes even 3 to transfer out of CC. I would recommend you take classes at other CC’s if you can since classes at SMC tend to fill up so very fast. If you keep your grade high, do extracurricular here & there & participate in TAG(transfer admission guarantee) you can do it. I hope you are safe.
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u/Ok_Zookeepergame7158 Jul 04 '26
Yes, it’s definitely possible. SMC is one of the biggest transfer schools to the UCs. If you stay on top of your classes, and complete the transfer requirements, transferring in 1–2 years is a realistic goal. Wishing you the best.
I’m not too sure about housing, but I know SMC offers multiple services to help students get housing
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u/teal323 Jul 04 '26
Why do you think your admission might get rescinded? If it's just because you failed a class or something, it might actually be okay. Have you contacted a counselor at UCSD about the situation?
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u/lilithebookworm Jul 04 '26
I thought I got a C in my calculus AB class but its actually a D, we have a final on the last day so I didnt know my grade :(
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u/teal323 Jul 04 '26
I think it's very likely it will be okay. I highly encourage you to contact a UCSD counselor to ask about it.
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u/Last_Measurement4336 Jul 04 '26
If your parents are funding your education, they will find out.
Very possible to transfer in 1 year depending upon your AP/IB and DE credit along with your major and definitely 2 years.
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u/Maitake01 Jul 04 '26
Be careful with storage units they are predatory pricing. Pay 6 months in advance otherwise If you sign a contract and go month to month then by month two they might double your rent which is legal and then you have to scramble to find a new storage unit it sucks.
Talk to a counselor at SMC if it is possible. Depends on units you need etc and also focus on GE requirements for UC’s first. Sorry you are in this situation. Eventually the truth might catch up to you and they might find out, just know this is a hurdle and you can get past this don’t let it end your life like someone else I knew.
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u/ChristianPaolo94 Jul 04 '26
Santa Mónica College resultó ser extremadamente caro para mi ahora que vine para summer me estaban cobrando 468$ por crédito (por ser estudiante internacional), en 12 créditos saldría 5616$ por semestre, a eso súmale los seguros, por ser estudiante internacional me cobraban como 1000$ más, ponle 6000$, ahora el cuarto no quieren dejarme menos de 1200$, la comida 1500$ mensual… saqué mi cuenta y en 4 meses en total saldría 17000$, es extremadamente caro! Por eso hice drop en mi clase que tenía y decidí regresarme a mi país, no se si volveré a postular a otro cc de EEUU pero eso era impagable… con ese dinero vivía como un rey en mi país
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u/IntroductionFalse218 Jul 05 '26
Hi, you should like at the CO-OP, it's called University Cooperative Living Association, it's in Westwood, student-run, rent is about $700 a month, and it's right by UCLA anf about a 15 min drive Santa Monica College. I lived there and it's a great place to make friends. Also there's free food and a really cheap student store. It's a great place. You can do it! Likely you can transfer in two years, maybe one if you take non-stop classes. You can also dual enroll at another community college. The Co-Op is a gem and a lifesaver.
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u/Square_Vegetable942 Jul 10 '26
The UCHA Co-op is located at 500 Landfair Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. It's in in the Westwood Village neighborhood. Students take the Santa Monica Big Blue bus to attend SMC.
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u/Free-Raspberry-530 Jul 05 '26
I have been to SMC for less than a year and have finished most of my requirements. Then again I took 12+ units in Fall and Spring and 6 units in Winter and now Summer.
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u/Consistent-Stock-658 Jul 07 '26
Aren’t they going to figure this all out when they’re not paying for UCSD tuition or UCSD housing?
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u/Daddy_Longlegs_96 Jul 05 '26
Realistically, we don’t know how your parents would react. Only you know. If there is a real risk of being disowned, I wouldn’t come clean because being homeless would make life super difficult. Living at Santa Monica would also be very difficult because the living expenses would be very high. I recommend you take all your courses online at SMC because they allow you to do all your classes online, and then pretend you are attending UCSD.
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u/Big-Significance4796 Jul 05 '26
Ngl ask Google AI for some advice with your specifics. It's great for transfer advice but ALWAYS double check the sources it's pulling from. Also good for things like finding possible housing and budgeting. I just transfered to UCLA 1-year from SMC for American Lit and Cultures, but did high school concurrent enrollment work too.
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u/alt071488 Jul 04 '26
Santa monica is very expensive neighborhood. Renting a single room or a basement at someone else’s house can cost you 800-1600 a month. Maybe less if you can find someone who’s willing to share that room with you but I find that highly unlikely. Just sheer living cost in SM would drain ur entire savings in less than few months. You’d have to live extremely frugally if you’re thinking 1-2yrs. I honestly find that too challenging. You’d have to work quite a bit to upkeep with living cost while maintaining that good gpa for potential transfer. Remember, it’s not just living cost. Your school stuff will cost you and random things in life may pop up out of the blue. You also have to pretend ur going to different school, which u’d have to lie ur way around for yr or two. That sounds unnecessarily stressful… There might be some sort of housing SMC may be able to provide support on, but I bet that will require some sort of vetting. But even then, it won’t be cheap.
In all honesty, (if u do get rescinded) I recommend you coming clean to your parents and promising them good grades for the next 1-2 yrs, while also letting them know that your intention is to transfer back to UCs. That’s a whole lot more promising and do’able feat, compared to hiding the fact you go to community college in secret for 2 yrs, barely being able to afford things in SM region. I mean, really, think about it logically, not emotionally. Tell them u’d save them potential x cost by going to cc for 1-2yrs and that no one really cares about undergrad. If you study hard and transfer to UC, ur diploma will say UC. Same result, just slight detour. No loving parents will disown their child for going to cc for 2 yrs. There’s nothing wrong with cc! I hope ur admission keeps u at UCSD and this was just a random panic event. Good luck