I’m crying while writing this. I applied to 10 schools and got rejected and waitlisted from 7 of them. I’m super upset and I feel disappointed. I got into two schools so far, but they are private. My financial package isn’t that great. It’s kind of bad. If I go to one of the private schools in my town, I would have to take out loans and be in a lot of debt, which is what I don’t want for my parents. I have the #1 city college in the country in my town and I’m highly considering going there. This is because it would be FREE (they have this program where students who graduated from a local HS can transfer to our local UC and do 2 free years at our city college). Everything and I mean everything would be paid for. That sounds so nice, I wouldn’t be in any debt. However, it has always been my dream to go to a 4 year and I really like the private school, except it would be so expensive. Since I took so many dual enrollment classes at that city college, I would be able to transfer to UCSB in less than a year. My parents house is 10 minutes away from UCSB so I could easily live at home, meaning tuition would be very low for me. Additionally, there is a program called TAG at the local city college where I’m automatically guaranteed admission to UCSB if I have 3.5 or higher, which I currently do since I have a 4.0 at the city college. Should I go to my local city college for 1 year and then transfer? Or should I go to the four year? I really have to make a decision soon and I don’t know what to do. Please help.
It’s great to have an option that won’t require your family to take on debt. Most kids aren’t that fortunate. I’d go to the city college then transfer.
Go to the city college and transfer after a year
Sorry for the disappointing results so far. The process is challenging and lots of schools must deny admission to lots of well qualified applicants–often more than the number of spots available. The good news is that you’re doing well in school, sound hard working and pleasant–and you are looking forward rather than focusing on the negative. And you have a good option, it sounds like.
You can transfer to a terrific school in a year. I wonder, if you took summer school classes at the city college, could you transfer after fall semester? That would be great.
One of mine transferred to a university about 5 minutes from my house. They had thought they would not like to go there because we are so close. But now they enjoy we can bring them things or help them out, if they want, but we just let them alone otherwise. They never see us and feel completely like they are just at school (they do live on campus, it’s a very residential place).
So disappointing, but lots of good news. Stay positive, work hard, have fun, treat everyone with respect and dignity, sounds like it will work out fine–you can have a college experience, at a great school, without debt.
Good luck!
My heart is breaking for you! Please keep your chin high. One possible option (though I’m not sure what this looks like financially), is to look at the Private Dorm options in Isla Vista that house UCSB and SBCC students. Maybe it’s a way to feel like you’re getting a 4 year experience and meet kids you’ll be transferring to UCSB with and other UCSB freshman. Just a thought…though living at home is certainly more economical and might make the most sense. Good luck to you, and whatever you decide, keep your chin up!
@TTG thank you for the encouragement! I did my plan with my sibling who also took classes at SBCC and I would be able to transfer after Spring!
@BayAreaRecruiter thank you for the support! Personally for me, I think it’s better financially to live with my parents during my time at UCSB. If I were, I would pay about $12,000 at UCSB and be able to graduate a year early because of the major I want. That’s not even talking about the financial aid I’ll be receiving. As much as I would LOVE to live in Isla Vista or dorm, I think the smart thing to due is live at home. Plus, I could still have my moms amazing cooking! 