Should I attend a community college in the Bay Area before transferring?

I'm thinking about starting at a community college in the Bay Area to save money before transferring to a UC school. Is this a common path? Any advice on which community college might offer the best transfer programs?

This is indeed a common path taken by many students, and it can be a good strategy if you want to save money or if you're still deciding on your academic focus. In the Bay Area, there are several community colleges that have robust transfer programs.

Colleges like De Anza, Foothill, and Diablo Valley are known for their strong transfer rates to UC schools. They often have formal articulation agreements with UCs which can streamline the transfer process, and some offer Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) programs with specific UC campuses. De Anza, for instance, has been recognized for facilitating the most transfers to the UC system amongst all community colleges in California.

In terms of selecting a community college, it can depend on a variety of factors. Things to consider when picking a community college include your desired major, whether the college has a transfer agreement with the UC school you're aiming for, the support services available, the student population and atmosphere, and the location and ease of commute.

You should also bear in mind, however, that while transferring can save you money in the short term and potentially give you a better shot at attending a top UC, it also means you'll miss out on some of the traditional first-year and second-year experiences at a four-year school.

Take some time to weigh these points about cost-saving potential and the community college experience with your career aspirations and personal preferences before deciding. Additionally, talking to current students or alumni from the community colleges and UC schools you're interested in might give you a better idea of what to expect.