Oh, sorry - I can’t believe I didn’t realize that despite living in CA forever.
Their website says by Nov 30th but a poster in another chat said UC Merced is still taking apps for Fall and they have a BA in Psych. You may call admissions and ask if that’s true - about still taking apps.
But you said in your first post that one parent lost a job and moved to a different country. Could you clarify these contradictory statements?
You wrote this:
“ FAFSA for this year not completed so I can’t say, but recently COVID resulted in country relocation/job loss of one parent”
On your other thread you say you have a single parent with other parent outside of this country.
The net price calculators are not accurate for single parents…unless they specifically ask for marital status of parents.
Your one parent lives within commuting distance of UCSD, right. So housing there isn’t an issue, but what about the other CA publics you are applying to?
The OP’s budget is $25K a year.
If this person has to room at Merced, that’s a lot of money for expenses and especially travel.
Merced is basically in a difficult area to get to, timewise, from the major metropolitan cities, since it is in the middle of farmland. Without a car, gas and time, it will be be a challenge. Practicum sites would require a lot of driving and gas money. Given that our gas is $4.60-$5. a gallon, in California, it will add up quickly.
My mom is a resident. My dad also was a resident. They are both immigrants. I was born in California, I have a California driver’s license, and my mother has a job/rents an apartment in CA. My father lives out of the country at the moment but, were he to come back, would be a California resident.
I’m not sure why everyone is doubting this but I am most certainly a California resident
Yeah I don’t have a car either, I use public transport. Merced would be impractical by that regard
I can get on campus housing at any UC.
The net price calculators asked for my parent’s marital status.
I’m shooting for a BS so I don’t think that would work.
If it’s available. Covid and shortages have changed, so if your campus is virtual, then you will go online for classes.
I assume that you are trying to get into UCSD to commute.
Housing is guaranteed for freshman and some transfers, but once they run out, you need to find a roommate or commute.
They have built some dorms, but housing has always been a problem at a number of the UC’s.
No, I’d ideally live off campus at a different UC as I don’t want to live at home but I wouldn’t mind commuting if I had no option.
For California schools, assume ~$2K per month rent. You can try to find someone to split that because your age will not allow you to rent and with no credit rating, that will be impossible.
(FYI: My daughter’s rent in San Francisco was $5k per month.)
I could live in on campus housing at UCI, UCSD, UCSC, and if that didn’t work I would commute to UCSD.
UCSD has not admitted you, correct? This is why you may need to consider other options.
It is not a safety school and is very competitive. I really don’t think you should consider it a match. Have a back up somewhere.
UCSD has relationships with the local high schools. If you didn’t attend a local HS school, it will probably be a little more difficult.
Priority admission at any UC is typically:
- Freshman
- CCC transfers
- UC>UC transfers
- Cal State transfers
- OOS
The reach schools are definitely reaches.
Good luck.
I’m no expert but I read horror stories about Santa Cruz - that they’re so overloaded and the local housing is so over the top expensive that they are asking Profs to take in students as boarders.
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That should help for the UCs on your list.
I did attend a local high school.
Do you have any suggestions of places I should apply?
Also yes, I’m aware they’re reaches - hence why they’re there 
I do definitely need more safeties, though, if you have recommendations. Unfortunately my parents aren’t of much help for suggestions, neither did I grow up in a college-prep focused environment, so I don’t have much idea. That’s why I’m posting here
I’ve looked at these, thanks.
If you can get a certified transcript, from your high school, with your diploma, or equivalent, your chances would be better for State schools.
The California State Universities would be your safeties.
SDSU is a very tough admit, as well as Long Beach and the Cal Poly’s. These schools are impacted.
You should target San Marcos and the LA area Cal states since you have issues with transportation and need public access.
Unfortunately the CSU deadlines have passed (nov 30). I didn’t know about the system (admittedly) or I would’ve applied.
I don’t have a diploma or equivalent, but every school on that list has okayed that and forgoed their requirements.