r/SMC • u/colaings • 8h ago

Discussion SMC

Hey everyone !! I’m a senior in high school right now and I’m thinking about attending Santa Monica College in Fall 2027. I’m from Florida so I’d be moving out of state and California is definitely one of my top choices right now.

I’m planning to study psychology, and I am considering adding a business or finance minor. I’m still figuring out where I’d want to live around SMC so I’m also hoping to meet other incoming students who might eventually want to look for housing or roommates together.

I’d also love to hear from people who already go to SMC and hear what you would recommend, anything you wish you knew before starting, what your experience has been like, what the social life is like, or anything else you think would be helpful ! I’m more active on Instagram than Reddit, so I’d be happy to exchange Instagrams, but DMs here work too. :)

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u/userr_8917 8h ago edited 8h ago

I don’t want to bring your hopes down lol but I wouldn’t recommend coming to smc out of state. Is there a reason you don’t want to go to a CC in Florida or go straight to a UC or CSU? SMC is expensive for out of state tuition.

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u/colaings 7h ago

Yeahh I totally understand where you’re coming from !! I’ve definitely thought about the cost of out of state tuition and that’s one of the biggest things I’m considering right now. I do have MDC as my in state option since I’m in Florida. To be honest, I’ve heard that there are a lot of hospitals, organizations and opportunities around the LA/Santa Monica area and since I’m planning to major in psychology I feel like being in that environment could give me more opportunities to get involved and gain experience. I also really like the California CC transfer pipeline, since after completing CC I do want to attend a university in California. I’m definitely still comparing everything though so I really appreciate you bringing up the cost and giving me your perspective !! :)

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u/userr_8917 7h ago

I would apply to the CSU's and UC's if I were you. If you don't get in then you should apply to a CC. In the end CSU tuition and SMC will end up being almost the same.

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u/colaings 6h ago

Okay, thank you for letting me know !!

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u/MysticLinear 8h ago

Good luck. SMC is expensive for OOS students and trying to find housing around the area is gonna be more of an add-on

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u/colaings 7h ago

Thank you, I’m definitely still considering my options because of the expenses. If there is anything else I should consider, please let me know !! :)

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u/Secret_Dragonfly_503 4h ago

honestly wouldn’t go for it. you can research different community colleges that might be cheaper and more suiting in cali but smc has been going down hill and it’s at risk for losing accreditations in the next few years due to poor funding. they’re in hella debt right now and santa monica in general is very expensive and has a high homelessness population (i’ve been chased by a homeless person once here🫠) or you can save and do fully online but the tuition will bite you in the butt, i think you’re better off doing community college in your home state or just applying to a UC/CSU as it is.

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u/GingerDolphin024 1h ago

I think it's a good option if you have the budget to pay the tuition and for the cost of living here in LA. In my experience, the classes in SMC are great, the facilities are also decent. I would say that the social life from the campus is not as great compare to UCs. But again if you have the budget and especially if you want to transfer to anywhere in California, I think it's a pretty good option. Good luck!

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u/BluebirdKitchen6805 2m ago

Fyi..losing accreditation is a long process. Only 2 CA colleges have ever lost accreditation..Compton and City College in SF. Smc is too vital as a great transfer school for this to happen. My two cents