<p>If I were you, I’d seriously consider it. If you are a pretty good student and work hard, it isn’t too difficult to get near-perfect grades at a California community college. Frankly, if you can’t get near-perfect grades at a California community college, Berkeley coursework is going to be over your head anyway. </p>
<p>Working in California will help a lot in establishing residency, I think that is the gist of what Swimcatmom’s post says. You need to show how you are living in California without parental support. Tuition, etc. at a comunity college is so low, though, it wouldn’t be hard to establish that.</p>