Can I take a few classes at a UC if I'm attending community college?

College Search & Lists
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I’m in a sticky spot right now. I live close to a nice UC, and about 20-30 minutes away from a community college in a different city. Initially, I thought I would just go to the UC nearby, but I also like the idea of saving money at a CC and then transferring.

If I attend the community college nearby, would it be possible for me to take only a few classes at the UC near my house? Even if it’s just out of interest, meeting people, etc. I’m also curious about club involvement. The community college near me has no clubs, while the UC has plenty. After doing a bit of research, I’m pretty sure that most of the clubs at the UC I’m looking at are independently-run and affiliated with the school, so they don’t care * that * much about whether or not you’re a registered student. Even though it’s a case by case basis, most clubs seem like they’d be ok with it.

I want to be able to get some sort of college experience - I’m not into partying and I don’t need to live in a dorm, but being able to make some friends through clubs would be nice. I also want to be able to save money, and I like the idea of a community college because it’s less of a commitment. The pressure doesn’t seem as high.

So, does anyone have any idea how this kind of thing works? If you’re a college student, would it look weird to have someone in a club that didn’t attend your school? Please be honest. I just don’t want to seem like some awkward intruder. Also, in general, does it look weird or juvenile to live at home during college? Or would people treat it like it’s not that big of a deal.

Thanks.

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UCs may have a “concurrent enrollment” extension program where non-matriculated students can enroll in courses that have space available, after all matriculated students have had their chance to enroll. For example: http://extension.berkeley.edu/static/studentservices/concurrent/

However, if you take courses at UC, they do count against you when checking whether you have too many units to transfer (non-UC lower division units, including all CC units, are capped at 70 semester units, so they alone will not cause you to have too many units to transfer). See http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/uc-transfer-maximum-limitation-policy-chart.pdf .

Given that, you may want to avoid taking UC course work unless the specific courses are not available at CCs, if you are concerned about the unit limitations for transfer eligibility.

As far as commuting from the parents’ house while in college, that is common enough at many colleges, although it is less common at UCs than at CSUs and CCs.

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I would take an extra course or two at the UC as an elective. Not so much as a graduation requirement. Although if it’s very expensive and difficult to get in to, I’ll drop the idea.