The schools I got admitted into are UCSD, UCI, USC, and Cal State Fullerton.
At CSUF, I received a Presidential Scholarship which includes fees, stipend for books, laptop, and has many perks like smaller class sizes and other opportunities with special treatment which I really like. Here I would major in civil engineering.
At UCSD I was admitted into bioengineering but the bioinformatics part which wasn’t try first choice and I’m not sure is accredited. My financial aid said I would need to take 10,000 out in loans each year even with a work-study job, so this seems impossible for me to go to since I don’t want to graduate with 40,000 debt.
UCI- it’s close enough for me to commute although I’d have to buy a car and with the blue and gold program I’d get free tuition. I could take out loans for housing or commute for less which I don’t want to do because I really want to move out. I have not received their financial aid yet, which is what I’m waiting on, but I do like all the engineering majors offered here.
USC- I got admitted into viterbi school of engineering and here I would probably pursue chemical or civil engineering, but it is very expensive. I have not received my financial aid award but I think it will be at least the same cost as UCSD or more.
My major is engineering right now but I’m not sure which one. I’m interested in civil and chemical and maybe biomedical, but I don’t know how much I’ll like that one and I don’t really want to go to med school.
Also, I have very little college savings, so whatever is left after financial aid even with a work study job I would have to take out loans and I don’t want to graduate with 20,000 loans minimum.
If anyone has advice, I’d appreciate it. CSUF asked me to make my decision by this Wednesday so I don’t know if I’ll get my financial aid status from uci or usc by then. Right now I’m leaning towards CSUF because it is a good scholarship not just money wise but opportunities too, although I might have to live at home. I wish I had more time to make my decision but I don’t. At CSUF, I’d have smaller class sizes and personalized treatment along with the scholarship, while at UC/USC bigger classes and loans taken out every year, except for maybe UCI, but more research opportunities. Thank you for any help.