Santa Monica College

Date: Nov 30 2009
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
It's a JC, so there's an immense diverse group of people ranging from high-school students to graduate students seeking new ideas and knowledge. For me, I spent a year there and transfered to a UC. I was actually quite embarrassed attending a JC because I felt my intellectual level was more developed than the majority of the people I would meet there. However, after my final semester, I realized that there's a plethora of creativity and social life that if you choose to be a part of then you you'll find yourself enjoying your time more thoroughly. Don't waste your time with slackers or people who have no interest in succeeding academically; you'll just waste time and money. Instead, find people who are interested with similar goals (most are transfer bound) and you'll be happier because they'll be as motivated as you are.

Because of its creed, social life isn't like as if you were at a state college or university, so don't expect it. If you're a transfer student like I was, get in and get out and move on to a state or UC; you'll be much happier

Also, be weary about what students tell you about professors. A lot of students there steer their way into easy classes and will recommend those professors as if they were any-what "decent." However I found that the best professors and classes were the ones where people claimed to be the most challenging. They are usually professors that come from top universities and prepare you for the rigorous classes you will be taking at a university as a transfer. Just be careful from distinguishing a hard/challenging professor from a down right can't-speak-english-coin-toss-grade teaching professor/instructor and you'll be fine.

So expand yourself and take challenging courses, get in and out, don't waste time, check out assist.org, make a plan, stick with it, and transfer. You'll be fine :)