california: I would like go to a college in California. I want to go to a college that has alot of people and a really nice campus and is affordable. I would like to major in something that has to do with English or Film Studies. I've got great grades... but I can't afford more than 40,000 a year, and that's pushing it. Also, I don't live in California... would living there for a few months before starting college lower my tuition?|||UC Berkeley is awesome. It's an urban setting and has lots of people. Out of state tuition costs are kind of steep though, but it helps to apply for financial aid and/or scholarships. There's a great liberal arts program here so English and Film Studies (The Pacific Film Archive is located on campus) are definitely awesome here. Living here for a few months probably wouldn't lower your tuition that much... it really takes about a year from what I've heard from my out of state friends. But definitely try the financial aid route. Also, you could try going to a community college first in California to establish residency and then transfer to a UC or some other school in California during your junior year to work on your major. Good luck!!|||Go to UCLA or UC Berkeley.|||TO get residency you'll need to live here for at least a year to lower the tuition, otherwise you'll be paying through the roof. UCLA, Pepperdine, and Cal State are all good.|||there are wonderful colleges in california... however note this, A resident student is an individual who has lived in California for at least one year and one day prior to the beginning of a semester, and has taken steps to establish residency within the state. that is a state law. better move here quick! remember its not just about affordable school--its also about an affordable town Bay area of san jose, san fran is not affordable)|||No. You have to be a resident of California for at least 2 years before a college will consider you a "resident" and get the discounts. You may want to consider moving here and going to a community college for your first 2 years. That way the general ed. stuff will be cheaper and you can decide what college and what major you should go after.|||Usually you have to be a resident in the state for one year to not get dinged with the out-of-state fee. SF State has a good English and Film department.