<p>I am awaiting my decision from Berkeley, my dream school. I have been hoping for UCB for four years, and I went through a lot just trying to fit my classes to the requirements for UC, surprisingly difficult out-of-state. I recently got accepted into UC San Diego, and it hit me that I really cannot go to California, my dream for my entire high school here in soggy Washington. The $50,000 a year is just too crazy for an undergraduate college, and Berkeley will be the same way if I am accepted. This year, I was beset with many unexpected challenges, and my whole plan for scholarship applications was offset. At this point I really cannot afford the cost of out-of-state tuition. </p>
<p>So what I am wondering is whether I should still have my hopes set out for Berkeley in the future as a transfer, graduate student, or something else, or is it really only a great experience for those four years of my undergraduate education?</p>
<p>That’s actually my plan, since they have already accepted me, but I’m wondering if I’ll be missing out on Berkeley just because I can’t afford it. Could I still fulfill my dream by going to UCB for grad school?</p>
<p>The only thing I can say, is apply to as many scholarships as you can if CAL is still your first choice. You can get a good ten thousand if you apply to a ton</p>
<p>You could transfer from a community college or go to Wash U and then transfer. Unfortunately, the money will always be an issue if you’re OOS. I would recommend that if you really want UCB, do your best in undergrad, and then attempt to go to UCB for grad school.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you could do a relatively cheap 2 years at a comm. college and then transfer to UCB for your last 2 years. That’s what I’m about to do pending I get in. I can’t wait. For me, it was totally worth waiting to transfer to, but that’s just my experience. Also, I’m in-state :/.</p>
<p>It costs about 48 grand for UOP (local private college in my area) yet Berkeley is, in my opinion, more prestigious.
I’d spend 50,000 to go to Berkeley if I were you.</p>
<p>Remember – Berkeley is a very hard school to get into for many students for grad school. If you’re serious about it, you will really make sure you find out what is necessary and do it.</p>
<p>Since money is an issue, transferring from community college is a really good choice. I know that the transfer rate for UC berkeley is significantly higher than just out of high school, so I dont think that getting in will be that much of an issue if you set your mind on it. (one of my friends got into UCB from community college with not very many extracurriculars and a 3.5 GPA, and I know those who got in with 3.3 GPA)
You’ll basically be saving money for the first two years to pay off your next two years at berkeley, which will even out. For us who are in state, the average cost is 28,000 or so a year. In the two years you are at community college, you can save up money by working, you pay less for CC, and you can also research more on scholarships. Cal is really prestigious and you will benefit from the name of the college when you get out. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Cal does have a GREAT grad school. Although it really depends on what you are planning to study for grad, I’m sure cal pretty much excels for all of them. Also, a teacher of mine who used to teach at harvard has told me that usually you do not want to study grad at the same school you did for undergrad because the same teachers that teach undergrad teach grad and you want to learn from diff teachers. </p>
<p>Also, MOST IMPORTANTLY, i’ve heard from some of my friends who are in Cal right now, that the teachers at cal DON"T CARE ABOUT YOU AT ALL. They only care about their research because that’s where they get most of their pay from. They focus more of their attention on their grad students and their own research and don’t pay as much attention to their undergrads. All the undergrads are forced to ask their questions to the teacher aids. I’ve heard this from many cal undergrad students, who come back and complain to me about how their teachers don’t teach at all, and they basically are forced to teach themselves or find the TA to explain things for them. Also i’ve heard a lot of the teachers there are vain/egotistical who look down on undergrads because they are a waste of their time. Keep in mind that this is purely word of mouth, and that a lot of the opinions expressed by my friends are most likely biased and DO NOT represent the majority of Cal student opinions. I’m sure a lot of them are really good teachers, but it is a fact that you will be taking classes in halls that have hundreds of other students. (study groups are usually 30 or so students though… so i guess its not that bad)</p>
<p>All in all, it depends on whether you are set in going to cal for grad and how much you want a solid undergrad education. If you go to CC, you will basically have to wait for another two years, which can be tiring. On the other hand, from CC you can transfer anywhere, not just berkeley. </p>
<p>This has turned out long. hope you had fun reading it… hahahaha (there needs to be a sarcasm font) </p>
<p>I’ve definitely considered CC, but after working so hard in high school for college I think a 4-year college experience is really what I want. If I was wealthier or not planning on Grad school I would maybe consider spending $50,000 on Berkeley, but in my situation, I am not going to spend that much money just for 4 years of a dream. I’d probably be in too much debt to actually live in the Bay Area any longer. </p>
<p>I’ll probably go to UW and see what it’s like. If I really hate it I will consider transferring, but right now I guess it will be best for me to really focus on my studies, learn as much as I can, and really experience the world so that one day I can study at Berkeley. Thankfully UW has a lot of what I like about Berkeley except the weather, location, and the major I really want (enviro. sci.), but everything will work out I hope. Hopefully California will be less volatile in 4 years too! I must give you Californians some credit for dealing with all the crazy tuition hikes that you’ve faced, good luck!</p>
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