<p>This past week I've been spending hours poring over websites/blogs/personal accounts trying to discern some idea of where I want to spend 4 years (and quite a lot of $$$). </p>
<p>I've been accepted to NYU, Cal, UCLA, UCSD and BU and I was wait-listed at Cornell.
I'm fairly certain I won't be attending UCSD or BU because my parents don't approve of either school. And Boston weather annoys me.</p>
<p>The pros and cons of each school (as far as I know) are as follows:</p>
<p>NYU -
Pros: proximity to NYC and its social and personal implications, financial aid award of 44,000$ every year as long as GPA is above 3.0 (Basically I pay almost nothing), great academics and a work hard/play hard ethic which I love
Cons: The weather is definitely a problem. Also the persistent threat of hurricanes, though relatively harmless, is annoying for someone like me who tends to dramatize and overreact</p>
<p>Cal -
Pros: Prestige and cutting edge academics, extremely qualified professors, decal courses, amazing research opportunities, proximity to SF and Silicon Valley for a potential C.S major.
Cons: rainy, foggy, wet weather, super hard exams and competition, have to pay full price as an international student, crime rate, homeless population, drug culture, certainly smaller party scene compared to other schools, overcrowded classes and long waitlists, tiny dorms, lack of parking, bland campus food, excessively liberal/militant ideology coupled with snobby, arrogant albeit intelligent people. </p>
<p>UCLA -
Pros: amazing Socal weather, Los-freaking-Angeles, great academics, exciting social opportunities, pretty cali people, research/internships, proximity to my aunt who lives ten minutes away, the media studies program
Cons: full freight tuition, triple dorms ugh, large student body</p>
<p>Any advice from current students or otherwise would be greatly appreciated :)</p>