So far I have been accepted to these 5 schools. I’m hoping the knowledgeable CC members would help me to decide / answer my questions.
Intended Major: Chemical Engineering
Parents’ Budget: up to $34K (the in-state UC COA - I live in California)
I don’t get any need-base financial aid mainly because of my parents’ high home equity.
(EFC on FAFSA - 56K)
Here is the list and the COA is the price after my merit scholarship.
Tulane ($32K merit / Honors College)
COA: $31K
Northeastern ($22K merit / Honors College)
COA: $40K
Cal Poly
I chose Biomedical Engineering because they don’t have ChemE.
I got invited to apply to the Honor Program but I didn’t.
This is my back-up school.
COA: $25K
UC Santa Barbara ($6K merit / Regents)
COA: $28K
UCLA
I got a likely email.
COA: $34K
I’ve always wanted to attend a private university because I want to go to a smaller school and private schools appeal to me. But, UC’s are known to be such good schools that my parents would prefer me to go to one and save money.
Q1. My mom and I are scheduled to visit Tulane next weekend for the Top Scholars Weekend. My mom suggested to cancel the tip if there is not much possibility for me to pick Tulane. We can save about $1500 if we cancel it. How is the Chemical Engineering program at Tulane? Tulane doesn’t have too much name value in California. Does it make the job hunting in CA harder after the graduation? Is it worth paying more than UCSB and Cal Poly? Should I visit?
Q2. I like Northeastern for their co-op program and their location - Boston, the great college town. It’s out of my budget right now. Is there any possibility for them to increase my merit scholarship if I tell them other acceptances with the less expensive COAs? My big brother has a good paying job and has offered to help my parents if I find a private college I really want to go. My goal is to bring down the COA as close as to $34K. Is it worth for the effort?
Q3. Does being a Regent at UCSB with $6K scholarship have more value than the prestige of UCLA? This is a question from my parents. I like UCSB better than UCLA anyway because I love the campus and the atmosphere. Also, they have pharmacology as a major which is what I want to double major in. Basically, I am positive I will choose UCSB over UCLA.
If you can answer even one question, it would be great. Thank you in advance for your help!