You can go to UC. But if you are just getting out of high school, my advice is not to go to a university and attend a community college if you truly care about your future, regardless of whether or not you are a citizen of US. Coming out with a 4.0GPA from a CC is better by miles compared to a 3.x from a university. This is advantageous for any Masters or Doctoral degree program enrollment.

Currently you are not considered instate. All illegals and legally illegals (DACA approved) must pay tuition as much as that of international students. All the more reason to attend a community college. But make sure your community college has the classes required for your transfer to the prospective degree from 4-year university that you have in mind.

As for enrollment as an illegal student, find the international student department head and discuss the matter with him. Same goes for all universities and colleges. The more "foreign" the international student advisor, the better the chance.


Since I am from a community college before I went into the current doctoral program, I may be biased. There are advantages to being in a University. Parties, nightlife, sex, whatnot. Disadvantage is of course, 100+ students in a class.

EDIT: Oh yeah, California has its own Dream Act. So you can have your instate tuition and financial aid.