<p>My name is Brendan. I currently go to school at junior college in the Bay Area. I am hoping to transfer to a four-year university for the 2010-2011 school year and I need some help figuring out what to do. I am a business major and i have been going to junior college for the last two years, so I should have enough units to transfer.</p>
<p>My main problem is just figuring out how to start the process of selecting and applying for schools to attend. I compiled a preliminary list of schools that I am interested in based on their tuition and ranking according to a magazine that i have (I know this may not be reliable info). I have like a 3.1 cumulative GPA (I'd have to check with a school counselor for an exact number) and I have been a baseball player at school for the last two years, although I am not planning on playing this year so that I can focus on school. I got a 1920 on the SAT in high school but if I understand correctly they don't factor in SAT scores for transfer students. I want to attend a good academic school but cost is also very important. </p>
<p>I don't know whether I am supposed to look for financial aid and other tuition assistance beforehand or if that is a part of applying for schools. I also don't know whether I should just focus on in-state schools or if out-of-state schools can be nearly as affordable. Also I'm not sure whether I should just forget all private schools or if they can be affordable as well with scholarships, financial aid, etc. It seems that the only UC's that offer business as a major are UCB, UCLA, and UCD but those are pretty hard schools to get into I think, and I'm not sure really what level of schools I should be looking at.</p>
<p>So, I am just looking for guidance on how to get started, what schools I should be looking at, and how to factor in finances and financial aid into the equation. Any help is very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Its always a good idea to ask people what schools are good for business majors or look it up. Don’t ask me since I’m not a business major and tend to ignore it.</p>
<p>As for financial aid, go to [FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)
You (and your parents) will need to make an electronic pin from that website (“students and parents apply for a pin”. Once you’ve got your pin, “Fill out your fafsa” as listed on that website. Once it’s processed, the money will be given to you in a form of a debit card or wired to your bank account (you choose).</p>
<p>As for other scholarships, you’ll have to look for them and apply to all of them individually. Be aware of certain websites that scams (fake scholarship websites can contain typos as a main of illegitimacy).</p>
<p>To apply for schools, you can visit them in person and ask for an application, or go on their official school website and apply online.</p>
<p>BMS, the first thing that you should understand of financial aid, before making a decisions based on priced tags of schools, is that if you’re considered financially needy a lot of the schools you will apply to will provide you with some sort of financial aid which will include a combination of scholarships/grants possible loans or work study.
Being financially needy depends on your parents financial position. The schools that you apply to will decide if you are financially needy based on the information provided to them from FAFSA(which you can and begin applying to starting January 1st or 2nd). On the application, there are spots for you to list the schools that you want them to receive the information, and that’s how you go about getting financial aid from the school/government. Outside scholarships(which have nothing to do with the school you’re applying to, or the government) have seperate applications which will dictate certain requirements in order for you to qualify.</p>
<p>Financial aid varies greatly between schools. If you are financially needy, you are bound to get scholarship money. From my experience in transferring, and in regards to financial aid, different schools will give you what they feel is fit. From UCLA(which is where I’ll be attending this fall) I got the most grant/scholarship help. From Berkeley I would have to make up for the difference in scholarship/grant money by taking out more loans, which would have been a 3K difference between UCLA and UCB, even though they have essentially the same price tag(in terms of fees)</p>
<p>In regards to school selection, i’ll advise you to check out the transfer forums for the best advise. I think your gpa is kind of on the low side for schools like berk, la, or davis with an impacted major like business. but it could get you into UCR which I believe also has a business-like major. Generally speaking your gpa i think best fits into getting accepted by the cal states. One of the best business programs in the cal states is san diego state university. but generally speaking, for something like business, I would focus more on your realistic expectations or plans after college. What do you want to do with business? Where do you want to work or live when you graduate? If you plan on working in the bay area, your best bet might be looking at bay area schools. SFSU, Sacramento, SJSU etc especially if you can live at home to lower the cost. Generally speaking cal states(at least the ones in los angeles area) tend to have a commuter feel, with the exception of Long Beach i believe, and maybe fullerton.</p>
<p>In regards to your question about private schools, it really just depends on the school. For financially needy students, sometimes private schools can result in being a lot cheaper than state schools after financial aid. I just feel that 3.1 is not as competitive as it should be. Even if you could get into a private school, I don’t think it would be worth the additional cost to shell out money for those type of private schools, because their program is bound to be as good or as bad as any local state school.</p>
<p>you should go to the counseling center at your CC. They should be well versed in how to transfer to a CA 4-year school, and many have counselors dedicated to helping students. They will also have plenty of brochures, hold workshops, etc.</p>
<p>This is incorrect. If you are very financially by the government’s definition (family income under about $50K) you will qualify for a Pell Grant, subsidized loans and work study. Scholarships come from the schools and from private organizations. Most of those that are generous require being needy AND being a top student.</p>
<p>With a 3.1 community college GPA, getting scholarships from private colleges is going to be tough. Not impossible though. The more your family can pay the more schools will be willing to throw in something.</p>
<p>Berkeley, Irvine and Riverside are the three UCs with undergrad business programs. You should qualify for Riverside and maybe Irvine.</p>
<p>Several CSUs have decent business programs, you should also look at those.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who has replied so far.</p>
<p>I have gone to the counselors at school, but i find that I still need help. However, I will continue to seek their assistance as well. </p>
<p>I’m still confused as to how you apply to scholarships and the like. Do I just apply to schools and they say whether they are willing to provide financial aid, do I have to wait until I get accepted, or is there something I should be doing right now? I am in the process of filling out a FAFSA, but I’m not sure if that will apply for 4 year colleges in the 2010-2011 school year. Will it apply to only this year of school?</p>
<p>As for scholarships, any reccomendations on places/websites I should go to to start applying for them?</p>
<p>I’m not as interested in going to CSU’s because generally speaking as I understand they are inferior schools. That’s why I was wondering if going to a good UC seems unlikely should I be trying for out-of-state schools? Are they much more expensive or do out-of-state schools go to any extra lengths to help out-of-state students?</p>