<p>I got into NYU CAS for pre-med but will only a 5k scholarship and parents refuse to pay for it. Going to UMiami, I get 23k . I already enrolled in UM and I know this sounds really ungrateful but I can't get over the fact that I'm not going to NYU. What makes it even worse is that a lot of my classmates are going out of state and it just makes me feel like I failed because I'm staying in Miami. I feel like I'm stuck here... UM is a great school but not for me. I'm so sad about it and not excited at all :(</p>
<p>I feel the same. I am going to my state flagship with $14k in scholarships ($21k cost of attendance, and I will get need-based aid as well, so nearly full ride). I got into my dream school, Cal Poly, but can’t afford it ($35k with only $2k scholarship). My state school isn’t bad, but it’s not the school I wanted to go to… I’m sure I’ll end up happy and I’m grateful for all the scholarships, but I do wish I had the opportunity to go to Cal Poly… </p>
<p>I had schools that I really wanted to get into (granted - I wanted to get into and attend all of my schools, but a handful more than others), but I don’t really believe in the dream school fallacy - there’s a bunch of schools that will serve you just as much as your dream school. Very happy with where I’m going this fall. Very happy with college admissions in general. </p>
<p>There were definitely schools I preferred over others, but they were spread out in terms of affordability and rankings, so I didn’t feel put out of any one school. </p>
<p>I am struggling with that feeling.</p>
<p>I was never fixated on going to any school in particular, but nonetheless, I have always had this feeling that my life would be amazing if I went to Stanford, Caltech, or Harvey Mudd College.</p>
<p>In high school, I was not motivated to seek financial aid so I only applied to public colleges (UCs and CSUs). My top choice of those was UCLA, which I enrolled in. I was initially lukewarm about it; I was unenthusiastic about the “just another face in the crowd” aspects of college life at a giant state university, but I liked their opportunities for undergraduates to do scientific research (I wanted to become a scientist). It still seemed like it was not even in the same league as Stanford, Caltech, or HMC – private colleges that I perceived as having a more student-focused learning experience and an overall more intelligent student body. But I was happy with it.</p>
<p>After my freshman year, I decided to change my major. I had no opportunity to do so at UCLA (they have extremely prohibitive prerequisite requirements for students transferring into the CS program). So I dropped out and enrolled in a community college.</p>
<p>A year later, I moved with my family to Oregon and enrolled in a community college here. It is nearing the time to transfer to a 4-year college. As before, it looks like my only viable options are in-state public colleges. After being used to the options in California, looking for good colleges in Oregon is… disheartening, to say the least. There are about 4 colleges with sufficient CS curriculum, and of the top 2 of those, one recently fired the head of its department (causing an uproar in Oregon’s tech industry, which apparently relies on graduates from there), and one of them is going through faculty strikes for the first time in Oregon’s history.</p>
<p>It is making me wonder if moving was a good idea. While leaving UCLA was necessary in order to study what I want to study, I keep feeling like I gave up the opportunity of a lifetime. I now feel the same way about being able to go to a UC that I used to feel about Stanford, Caltech, and HMC.</p>
<p>The moral of the story is that no matter what college you are going to, if it is a good college by any measure, then even if you are unhappy that it is not your dream school, there are probably plenty of people who dream of being in your shoes. Make the most of your opportunities. I wonder how many people in Oregon cannot even go to college and all, and would go to Portland State University in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.</p>
<p>I think Oregon State University is suppose to have a good CS program.</p>
<p>Also I grew up in Florida and did premed. I think you are better off at U of Miami then you would be at NYU. Just spice it up and do a study abroad program at some time (some give financial aid) or even do a summer at NYU taking a class. The people I know who went to NYU ended up paying way more than NYU estimates just to enjoy everything in NYC</p>
<p>Really appreciate the responses guys. I do feel better. I guess I was being a bit of a brat, lol. My parents are happy I’m saving them money and have agreed to let me study abroad, which is awesome. </p>