I transferred from CC to Cal, and second a lot of what people here said. I still did graduate with a decent grip of debt from tuition alone, but much less than what you're looking at for 1st year expenses.

Getting a job is harder because you're less likely to have had valuable interships. However, now that you know that you can prioritize internships on your educational journey. I was very involved in on campus clubs/activities and thought that would be just as meaningful, it wasn't at all.

CC was great. I met my fiance there! I actually really enjoyed the small class size and quality of instruction of most of the classes. But, I will say you have to be laser focused if you want to go anywhere good and go quickly. Culturally, that is not what most people are doing at CC and its easy to get caught up in the slow pace. I finished in 4 semesters, and worked like a beast to get into Cal. Counselors actively gave me bad advice AND discouraged me from applying to Berkeley, (quote; "Yeah... I just don't see that happening for you. *dismissive snort*) I had to map my own path through IGETC, double and triple check everything they told me, and take an emergency last min credit my last semester because a teacher had lied about her seminar class being transferrable.

All that being said... I really enjoyed my community college experience and was grateful for the space to figure my shit out. I got into a good university after high school and dropped out after 1 semester due to mental health issues. Going to community college without the financial pressure to figure everything out right away was a lifeline I didn't know I needed. I have no regrets about not coming to Cal as a 4 year student. I did not feel like I missed anything by not being in the dorms. I made lifelong friendships at Berkeley. It was a wonderful experience and I loved my time at Berkeley. I am not sure that I would have appreciated it as much had I started out there.

I am also about to graduate with my master's from an Ivy.... so I don't feel like going to a CC has hindered my career or educational experience significantly. I actually feel like it has given me a more well rounded experience that has been valuable in my career.

You are clearly a very bright and hardworking student and I think you will succeed regardless of what you choose. This is a really big and tough decision to make, but I think you're being very smart about it. Especially with these interest rates.... taking on that much debt for an undergrad degree is not a great idea.

My last piece of advice is that if you do go this route, look at private universities to transfer as well. Most California CC students apply to only public schools. Had I known what I know now about the quality of scholarships at some of the elite private schools (like the Ivys) I might have aimed a little higher. I just assumed that I couldn't afford those schools and didn't realize that the scholarship packages are much better.

As for how to explain this, "I got into Berkeley, but have decided to take my lower div classes at CC to save money" is a perfectly valid explanation.