Need help

I'm not sure why you would want to take such a circuitous route to nursing. Go to the community college, then on to BSN while working as an RN. Perhaps your employer will even pay for part or all of your tuition.

Why are you waiting until now to decide this? You could go to UCSB and then do an ABSN or a direct entry master's program.

UCSB is a good school. It's not so easy to get into the ADN programs, as they are impacted. So, since you have been accepted to UCSB, just go!

I would say going to a CC and doing an ADN/ASN program would definitely be cheaper. There are bridge or other options available when it is time for you to get your BSN. Like Roser13 said, your employer may pay for it.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't say that it is the faster option. Prerequisites for most ADN programs out in California do require prerequisites that can take about two years to complete. If you do not have a good registration date then that will set youback even more if you can't get the classes you need. You it may add on unnecessary time.

Like Shibaowner said, UCSB is a good school and it is a little close to decision time. Something you may also consider is taking a year or semester off and applying to schools with a BSN program. You could take that time to work in the medical field as a CNA or EMT which could look good on applications. I'm not sure what your situation may be and I do not know if you'd be willing to relocate, but keep this option in mind as well.

Each person is different so it may be a tad difficult to give advice on this matter. You may even find you hate science altogether or love it so much and decide you want to teach, do lab work, etc.