It’s that time again. Students are eagerly waiting for that specific envelope in the mail. The envelope that determines their future and where they will continue their education.

However, most students apply to universities that are a bit realistic, meaning financially realistic. But if money and guaranteed acceptance were not an issue, most students would attend the college of their dreams according to an article on the Huffington Post.

Majority of EC student who plan to transfer to Universities many choose the college on the basis of distance and reputation.

“Many of the freshman students who come to EC plan to transfer to Cal States so they’ll choose Cal States and UC’s because they want to stay local and the schools have good reputations,” Cynthia Mosqueda, Director of First Year Experience, said.

Among the most popular transfer colleges for EC students in the categories of Cal States, University of California, and Private Colleges are Cal State Long Beach, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Southern California, Sue Oda-Omori, EC Counselor, said.

“I think the trend is most of our students like to stay local,” Oda-Omori said.

In a survey conducted by the Princeton Review,  the top 10 choices that students picked were all private colleges ranging from the University of Southern California  to Harvard University.

Because of the competiveness and expensive cost of these prestigious universities,  89 percent of students and parents admitted they would most likely need financial aid to ever attend the universities, according to Princeton Review.

While some EC students prefer to stay local if given the opportunity others students would transfer out of the state to their dream college.

“I actually got in to Howard University which is my dream college but financially I couldn’t go right away so that’s why I’m here,” Kirsten Miller, political science major, said.

Other students find their dream college right in their own neighborhood.

“I really wish I could go to USC . I grew up over there and they have like the best film program,” Xavier Allen, film major said.

Despite the fact that many EC students will not transfer to the top 10 Ivy League universities, some students feel they are still bound to success attending other institutes.

“I know I probably won’t go to USC but there are still affordable schools out there where I can still pursue my major and have a successful career,” Allen said.