Our local community college has transfer arrangements with several local 4-year schools to make it easier for students to transfer to a bachelor's program. They streamline the process of having your credits evaluated and getting enrolled at the 4-year school. I know two people who have done it that way.

My niece's academic adviser told her that she should consider colleges in 3 categories- those you know you can get into; those you're pretty confident of getting into; and "in my wildest dreams" schools. She ended up at a school she had no doubts of getting into, and it is working out okay so far.