Briefly living in the Twin Cities...neighborhood questions (Woodbury: cheap apartments, home)

[MascaraSnake]

I've lived in Woodbury for the past 3 years after moving up from Tampa, FL. Finished high school first year I got here; due to lack of college money and a poor GPA, I've worked for the past 2 years and taken the occasional class.

Will eventually apply to U of M to major in history (University of Illinois Chicago is now my backup) but since they're getting more and more selective I doubt community college would be a magic wand. If I don't get in, I'm pretty sure U of I would be an acceptable backup.

Been going through job training recently for a clerical/secretary type postion to help me pay for college and I'm assuming many of these jobs are right in the city areas. While I could live at home for a bit more and commute, I think it would ultimately be cheaper transportationwise to use the bus routes (plus I'm sick of living at home).

So here's what I'm looking for (both cities are fine): safer, walkable college-type town on the affordable side with easy access to public transportation and culture (stuff like community theatre, clubs/bars, interest groups, etc). Right now I'm thinking Dinkytown but I'm sure there are other options.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Dinkytown is nice, but smaller and more student-oriented. The West Bank is still close to the Univ. of Minn., but is more diverse. There should be some cheap apartments in the area. The Loring Park area is even more removed from the University and is super-convenient to downtown.

[talktobrent]

are you saying community college won't help you get in? If you do OK in community college you will probably get into the U. It's not as selective as people say it is, it depends on your major. Here's what I did, I found a subject I liked and was good at in community college, got A's in those particular classes, then applied for that major at the U. If you decide you want to do something else once you get in, it's pretty easy to switch. It's overcrowded stuff like communications, architectre, law, etc. that gets selective.

[Minnehahapolitan]

You can go to MCTC, Hennepin, Normandale, et cetera and be guaranteed admission at the Univ. of Minn. Not only do community colleges cut it, they are a sure bet. A History major would be Coll. of Liberal Arts.
MnCAP - The Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program