Hey CC, I’m new to this discussion posting thing, so please bare with me.
Alright so here is the dilemma.
MAJORS:
I applied to both UCI and UCSD for Engineering Undeclared. I got the major I wanted at UCI however I got my alternate major at UCSD (Warren) which is Undeclared-Physical Sciences.
**Should I go to UCI which is offering me my Major or go to UCSD and attempt to get into engineering? At UCI will I have to apply for Computer Engineering with the rest of the Undeclared freshmen or do I get some sort of guarantee/priority since I’m already in the engineering school? Also I am not 100% sure I want to do Engineering for sure. 77% sure I do. ORR should I go to UCSD like most of my friends are telling me to, because of its prestige and better opportunities and not worry about my major? I want to do Computer Engineering, which university is the better of the two in that field?
FINANCIAL STUFF:
UCI- Net cost ( I pay out of pocket)- $6,300/yr (Was $9,300 but I got the Discover Scholarship-Lowered net cost by $3,000 for two years)
UCSD- Net Cost- $8,800/yr
Campus:
I visited UCSD on Triton Day and I had mixed feelings about it. It look great, but it seemed massive with all the walking and very intimidating. I have yet to visit UCI (Will do so this Friday)
My Preferences:
I don’t mind commuting to UCI (I live in Corona- 43 minutes away) if it saves me the housing costs. But at the same time would like to stay on campus for the full college experience. I also like the idea of being close to home (extremely family-oriented).
–On the other hand at UCSD ( 1 hour 17 min. away from home) I would be much more independent. I have this irrational fear that if I get sick I’ll have no family or anyone to look after me, and that’s when I’ll curse myself out for picking UCSD— I’m probably being dumb. A lot of my friends are going to UCSD so that’s plus ( I know i shouldn’t be influenced by where my friends are going, but I wouldn’t mind seeing familiar faces).
–UCSD’s Prestige and credibility as on of the top three UCs is really getting in the way of me finalizing UCI. *** Would I look better to an employer or grad school if I were to apply to their organization from UCSD versus UCI?
–Also would it be wiser to go to UCI (following Malcolm Gladwell’s “Big Fish Small Pond Theory”) and do better there because it would have lesser competition and easier classes relative to UCSD allowing me to stand out at UCI in the top tier of students rather than being an average student at UCSD.
–Ideally would like to keep the cost of education down however I believe education is one of the greatest investments someone can make that’ll keep repaying so I don’t mind paying more for a quality education.
**I know I’m all over the place but even if you can answer one question it would help tremendously.
Thanks GUYS!!!