<p>As we all know, decisions have come out and we are all busy deciding where we want to go. Well, I have it narrowed down to UCLA and UCB. However, I am only considering UCB because of my parents. I really want to go to UCLA because it will be different (lived in NorCal, near berkeley, all my life) and I have regents there. At UCLA, I would not have to pay anything (the first year at least) but at Berkeley, I have to take out about 7k in loans and do work-study for 2k (ew, work..haha). But my parents will not let me go! My dad's like he'll do whatever is necessary for me to go to UCB.</p>
<p>Well, my dad's reasons for wanting me to go to CAL:
1. It's more prestigious (well, i think it's a bit overrated and UCLA is just as good)
2. I'll be closer to home (my parents really baby me which is why i kinda want to go to UCLA -- I can be more independent)
3. He'll actually have a child going to UCB (you know the asian stereotype that they like bragging about their kids... yeah, that's my dad -___-)
4. I'll actually spend less money because of transportation, food, etc. than if I went to UCLA (hmm, I need help on this because he might be right...)</p>
<p>I don't know what to do. My parents did so much for me and I don't want to disappoint them by going to UCLA. My dad seems so crushed that I'm even THINKING about it but money is a huge concern for me. I care about a good education but I don't want to have to worry about money. Loans are scary. Sorry for the long post but this has been on my mind ever since the UCB decisions came out. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!!!</p>
<p>Oh, and if it helps, I plan to go into health (probably public health).</p>
Is this a major reason? Apparently not if your parents aren't taking it into consideration? In any case, they're probably subsidized Stafford and/or Perkins loans (low rates). If not, possibly unsubsidized Stafford loans . . . 7K per year is not insane. In any case . . .
[quote]
4. I'll actually spend less money because of transportation, food, etc. than if I went to UCLA (hmm, I need help on this because he might be right...)
[/quote]
Ah, but the Regents offsets this a bit?
[quote]
My dad seems so crushed that I'm even THINKING about it but money is a huge concern for me. I care about a good education but I don't want to have to worry about money. Loans are scary.
[/quote]
Not as scary as you might think as long as you're not something like $100K in debt by the time you graduate. I'd say, bring up the money issue again. Do some research about loans, repayment, as well as debts incurred through Berkeley versus LA. What are your main reasons for wanting to attend LA? Does it mostly have to do with taking loans at Berkeley? How much does it weigh compare to going to being away from home, etc. and the ability to not be babied?</p>
<p>If money isn't an issue for your parents, I'd simply do the research upon student debt for your own sake (to pacify those worries and fears!). You want to do public health - what would be your major? Something like biology? Your father thinks it's more prestigious (yes, it is but that doesn't mean UCLA sucks in comparison; I'd argue that the quality of the students are about the same). When this point comes up, bring up the exclusivity of the Regents program. After you've taken care of the $ situation, I'd bring up a case about why you want to go there and how there isn't much difference between the schools and how the happiness factor plays a role. In terms of less transportation, money, food, etc. I'd also put these into consideration after figuring out the money question. Good luck and hopefully you'll become ONE OF US! :)</p>
<p>Who's life is it, there's or yours?! Grow up, you're basically an adult. If I were you I would give them an ultimatum: UCLA or military? Which would they prefer you to go to? If they some how force you into something you don't want, then just look them in the eye and tell them that you'll blame them for all your shortcomings. Would they be able to live with that guilt?</p>
<p>It's time you took charge of your own life! Be the puppeteer not the puppet!</p>
<p>lol one of my azn friends was happy she didn't get into cal for exactly the reasons you mention...
...but then she didn't get into LA either. </p>
<p>i'm not azn, but i'm an only kid and i also grew up close to berkeley (san ramon valley). my parents would have LOVED to have had me stay close to home, but i decided against cal because it wasn't where i belonged. at all. so for me it came down to davis regents or LA no regents, with davis being close enough that i could come home on weekends, plus tuition was basically taken care of.</p>
<p>but- i knew in my heart LA was right for me, and my parents saw that and recognized it themselves. i'm sure they want to do what is best for you, because like you said, they HAVE gone through a lot to get you these opportunities. but do they want you to be less happy just to get a debatable smidge more of prestige? if your family lived in socal, i swear, UCLA would be the more "prestigious" school. location does have its biases.</p>
<p>figure out what school has the best program for you, the best atmosphere for you, and if it's still LA, appeal to your parents' desire for your happiness. have they visited LA? because if not, this may also be a stumbling block- encourage them to base their opinions on facts, not prestige.</p>
<p>by the way, while transportation will be more expensive at LA, that only applies to traveling home. getting around locally on the blue bus is cheaper than bart (assuming you don't have a car), and as for getting home, look for cheap fares on southwest. you won't be going home that often, so it's more expensive but fewer trips vs. cheaper, frequent ones. food can work the same way- get an economic meal plan. you won't have family cooking to take to the dorms... but you can do without ;)</p>