<p>Hey everyone i have run into the biggest dilemma EVER. So i would appreciate opinions and advice from as any people as possible please.
So at first I had my mind set on UCSD, i visited the campus it is lovely and i love the 6 college system. One HUGE problem though, i received almost NO financial aid. Apparently my dad makes "good" money. I got a bit over 2,000 from both schools. I declared my major as psychology so if someone could give some input on which school is better at psych and would ultimately look better to grad/med schools please tell me :)</p>
<p>Here's my situation at each school:</p>
<p>UCI:
PROS: very close to home around 30-40 minutes, if i commuted i would save around 60k during my four school years. Also my parents would buy me a brand new car. Since its close to home, if i change my mind i could rent an apartment OR dorm. Parents also offered to make me another room (as i share rooms with my sister).
CONS: i am worried commuting might take a toll on me, i am also worried it will be difficult to make friends or really get involved in school. Also slightly worried parents might want to still treat me like a child.</p>
<p>UCSD:
PROS: Dorming will mean a very easy school life, could simply roll out of bed. I will be so much more involved, be able to discover San Diego and become more independent.
CONS: 2 hours away from home, so NO commuting. I would have to either dorm or live off campus all four years which means around 112k id need to pay in total. Also NO car, even once im off campus. Not to mention i might need to return home after i graduate.</p>
<p>It's very tough, any help would be greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>lol wouldnt the addition of a new room and a brand new car cost more than just dorming?</p>
<p>^my thoughts exactly…</p>
<p>if you do choose to go to UCI just make sure you get VERY involved because commuting 30-40 minutes will make it difficult to make friends.</p>
<p>the car may cost around 20,000 (plus a bit over 1,000 for gas money during school)
thats just for one year MUCH cheaper than 28,000 every year.</p>
<p>Im not sure about the cost of the room, but its not a definite thing. The car is though.</p>
<p>Hold on a second. How will commuting save you $60k?</p>
<p>^ I get $48K max, and that’s if you do full room and board every year for four years (you could get a shared apartment for less and certainly eat for less your second two years). But the flip side is that you’ll be spending more on commuting. $20K for the car, probably about $1.5K x 4 for insurance + 1500 in gas x 4 = $32K, so the difference is more like $16K.</p>
<p>Your parents are buying you a $20k dollar car?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Wowzers. I thought paying for college would be enough. I’m glad your parents love you. :)</p>
<p>Living on-campus doesn’t cost anywhere near $28,000 a year, it’s much closer to $12,000.</p>
<p>Yeah the math in this thread is completely whack. Go where you think you’ll be happiest.</p>
<p>living on campus definitely costs that much especially when youre getting close to no financial aid x.x but i think imma go with UCSD anyways, i dont wanna go to UCI and be unhappy</p>
<p>btw sthrelk, yes it’d be 32k the first year, but its not like i’m paying for the car every year after that.
but eh well.</p>
<p>I have NO financial aid, and I’m only going to be paying around 10k a year to live at UCSD.</p>
<p>Check your facts again, I think you are way off.</p>
<p>10k yes not including food plan i believe that raises it to 14k
and it reaches 28 easily with the books and and actual schooling which is 12k i believe</p>
<p>I guarantee 100% the dining plan is included in the rates listed on that website.</p>
<p>is it really? how come on my financial aid package it lists my living expenses as 14k?</p>
<p>Because they’re including the fact that you’ll go out to eat sometimes, maybe go to the movies, buy new clothes, textbooks, etc. But you’re required to have a meal plan if you live on campus so it’s included in the housing fee.</p>
<p>Oh i see, alright thanks 
i didn’t know that</p>