<p>As a dad with a current sophomore at Cal and a senior who just accepted to Cal, I can tell you from experience that we have paid no where near what the expected cost that was indicated. If your parents have you covered on insurance for medical you can waive the medical plan and I believe that saves over $1000. Live in a triple first year, YOU NEED TO LIVE IN A DORM FIRST YEAR imo, then move into an apartment later. This school is too good to pass up. The gap isn’t that huge not to attend Cal.</p>