<p>OMG I do not know which college to go to! I have been accepted to Cal, UCLA, OXY and Pitzer. I think they are all great schools and I am leaning more towards Cal and Pitzer. My only problem is I am not sure about the class sizes at Cal as well as how much I have to pay out of pocket, which is a lot! I love it there! I love the students and I know I will never get bored. Another problem is that my parents do not want me to go far away. </p>
<p>Pitzer I think is great too! Only problem is that it is super close to where I live like not even an hour away. My parents definitely want me to go there.</p>
<p>I am not too sure about UCLA and OXY.</p>
<p>I really want to study abroad and I am going into the environmental field.</p>
<p>Two years ago my daughter had to choose between Cal and Pitzer as well - she chose Pitzer. She didn’t like the idea of huge introductory classes and being one of thousands. She likes Pitzer and does not regret going there. She will study abroad in Australia next year.
You’ve got some excellent schools to choose from - I’m sure wherever you go, you’ll have a great experience.</p>
<p>Would your interest and classes involve the ocean, some marine studies, or would it solely involve land and the interaction of people within it, environmentally?</p>
<p>If it would include the ocean, there’s a pretty good field area to study, with the Pacific being just seven or so miles from UCLA. And I believe the President of Heal the Bay is a UCLA alumnus.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’d pay more for Cal than for Pitzer. Since you’re instate, does that mean that Pitzer is cheaper than Cal and UCLA? How does Oxy fit in, finance-wise?</p>
<p>Let me split the difference – your parents want you close (I infer that from them preferring Pitzer) … UCLA is close. You like Berkeley, and UCLA shares many attributes with Berkeley.</p>
<p>Could be a good compromise, but I don’t know why UCLA was not mentioned in your top 2… did you visit and not like it?</p>
<p>DunninLA: Yes, I did vist UCLA. I was talking to my couselor and with her help, I decided that Cal was a better option for me academically as it offers much more in the Environ. field.</p>
<p>ociferous: At Pitzer I pay about half of what I would have to pay to go to Berkeley. But I also know that I want to go to graduate school.</p>
<p>JohnAdams12: What do you think is better? Going private or public. I am also taking into considerdation all these furlow days that are being added and the annual increase in tuition at UCs.</p>
<p>SlitheyTove: Yes, Pitzer is by far more cheaper than the UCs. At Oxy, the tuition is the same for Pitzer. I recieved an excellent scholarship but the connections that I have made at Pitzer and their excellent study abroad program puts Pitzer on top.</p>
<p>drax12: I know for sure I want to go into the environmental field. I am still not sure exactly which aspect of it yet. I know that I would really like to get a minor in politcal science as well but more in the aspect of social justice. Heal the Bay? That’s awesome! I did not know that!</p>
<p>sarsfield: That is exaclty what I do not like about Cal. But I must say, I went to the Senior Weekend and it was absolutely amazing in the school spirit, student unity and social justice aspect. The times I have been at Pitzer, I have not really seen that but the student to faculty ratio is wonderful! Plus, for the study abroad program, I get a full year in Brazil, that is where I want to go, and an extra summer somewhere else. At Berkeley, the study abroad is not as simple to get into. Also, some of the students I met were in their 5th year!
You could pretty much say that I have everything set at Pitzer but at Berkeley I would have to build myself up. Everyone tells me I am crazy if I say not to Berkeley but I am not sure if I am willing to give up all these oppurtunities given to me at Pitzer. If I may ask, what did your daughter do outside of classes like for fun and entertainment?</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for your replies! This is by far the hardest decision I have had to make.</p>
<p>I’d definitely decide between Pitzer and Berkeley, with the slight edge on Pitzer(if you’re like me and prefer the small school environment and attention).
At berkeley you’re on your own and if you’re not a go getter than it wouldn’t have mattered if you went to berkeley. At pitzer you’ll be forced to interact and you’ll have a better opportunity of getting what you need for graduate school, particularly letters of recommendations.</p>