<p>shrinkrap, I can only speak from my experience as a parent of a student at a private university, vs what I am hearing from parents of students at the UCs and State schools in California - plus my son is applying to college this year, and on virtually every State school there, in caps, is the word IMPACTED for fall 10. My daughter has had such a great freshman, and now sophomore year at the private school she goes to, which of course will sway my opinion of the public schools in California - I don’t recommend at all going into debt for a private school, but my comment was if the means were available, in my opinion, a private is a much better option at this time.</p>
<p>Wow. I guess I’m just hoping that’s not true. Or maybe that it will change before my son graduates. We are paying for a private for his sib, and it has been good, but a struggle. And frankly, son would probably just as well off with a few more years of high school. I’d hate to pay 50K for that.</p>
<p>
The Regents scholarships aren’t handled in the same way at each UC. I know for certain that as of 3 years ago one could get a full Regents scholarship as completely a merit scholarship with no demonstrated financial need.</p>
<p>From UCSD’s website:
</p>
<p>From UCLA’s website:
</p>
<p>From UC Davis -
</p>
<p>We are U.S citizens living as expats abroad, so no in-state for us. We will be paying, no fin aid. Son is really interested in the CA schools. Besides SCU which other private school should we look at. SCU location is superb for International travel too. </p>
<p>His B+ avg GPA is with Honors courses all along. He is NM commended plus an AP scholar with distinction, perfect SAT Math and SAT 2 Math plus Physics.</p>
<p>Lot of our school kids with stats lower than son get into UCD and UCI. I agree about UCLA and UCB being off the charts.</p>
<p>I don’t want to be a downer but am afraid I am going to be. Applications are pricey and admissions would be somewhat iffy even stepping down from the top level. UCD denied my D last year with a 4.01 UC gpa and 1270 SAT. OOS state students are required to have a 3.5 and sadly bur realisticly don’t expect any free $$. Like another poster said considering the cost of OOS tuition and the lack of free money coming out of California publics, you are likely money and time ahead to stick with Santa Clara and other CA privates where your S will have a far better chance of finishing in 4 years. Even in-state, there are plenty of us who steered our kids in the direction of privates for these reasons. </p>
<p>Do I sound a little bitter?? I don’t mean to. True, I haven’t 100% recovered from the UCD decision (D did within a week 
) but I graduated from the system and have great respect for it. It’s just that right now is not neccessarily the best time for the UC system.</p>
<p>^ thats ok, no hard feelings here! I want to be as practical as I can be, we are not looking for merit aid either, just a good quality education. He is going to be thousands of miles away and it makes sense to do all the pros and cons now.</p>
<p>I know there are many good privates there like oxy, pepperdine (not for CS program) plus harvey mudd and pomona (high reach). </p>
<p>Its kind of hard finding a good private for Comp Engineering hence our interest in the UC’s. </p>
<p>Wanted to run it by the experts here!</p>
<p>You should SERIOUSLY consider CalPoly San Luis Obispo, for computer engineering. That is a very highly respected school for that major. The only problem with CalPoly is that if he changes his mind about his major, it can be tough to change. He’ll pay out of state tuition for awhile and possibly soon qualify for instate tuition (verify that). Even if he paid out of state tuition, it is pretty reasonable compared to private schools. My son got into CPSLO last year, out of state for computer science with a GPA way lower than their average. I am convinced that he actually had a huge advantage with that school because they want the money that an out of state student brings in. They need the bucks and the out of staters pay the full fare. Don’t know about the rest of the state universities.</p>
<p>I also think he would get into SCU, no problem, possibly even with some merit aid. They give out alot. Beautiful location, great internships, but I would definitely not consider SCU as strong as Cal Poly for Computer Engineering. My son got into both schools and we checked into them closely.</p>
<p>^ We had Cal Poly SLO on our list first, but then I saw that 99% students were in-state (son has spent 13 years out of the U.S) and it was kind of far away from everything. </p>
<p>Plus it looked like it was not a very easy school to get into either.</p>
<p>Would like to hear more from you about the school if you don’t mind I will PM. Thanks.</p>
<p>He should consider USC for CompE in addition to some of the UCs, CalPoly, and SCU.</p>
<p>Does he have a preference for the area in California - i.e. southern, central, northern? That might help him decide.</p>
<p>I think Cal Poly is stronger than most UCs in computer engineering other than Berk and UCLA.</p>
<p>Non UC Schools to check out in Cali for computer engineering:</p>
<p>Cal Poly – a bit remote though</p>
<p>San Jose State (silicon valley)</p>
<p>USC — very good engineering school ( I have a son there studying the same major)-- app deadline is in December though. might be more aid for internationals here.</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO is very highly respected for engineering, apparently as much as many UC’s at a lower cost. And perhaps as hard to get into.</p>
<p>Cal poly has that hands on approach and it is very different than the theory at Berk. </p>
<p>Northwestern in Chicago has the same focus. excellent programs.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Can you cite a source or post a link supporting this?At a meeting of CA educators just last week we were told just the opposite–the higher UCs will be taking many more OOS (mostly internationals because that’s who’s willing to pay) and the others are praying they can get some OOS students because it will really help their budgets.</p>
<p>I’m with those who would have a hard time paying for any UC engineering program except Cal’s. The situation is dire at all the UCs based on what profs and administrators are telling their peers.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>This is hardly worth discussing. When you consider the number of kids at the UCs and the small number of Regents (or any “merit only” $$) that UC’s give out (of various dollar amounts - most as low as $1k), receiving one should never be expected. </p>
<p>For all intents and purposes, no one should choose a UC in hopes of receiving any merit money… A UC-hopeful should just assume that no merit will be given; if they hit the jackpot and get one, then that’s icing on the cake.</p>
<p>Frankly, I wonder what is the criteria for selecting those few that receive them? Do they have a unique hook? Do they have perfect SATs?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Can you cite a source or post a link supporting this? At a meeting of CA educators just last week we were told just the opposite–the higher UCs will be taking many more OOS (mostly internationals because that’s who’s willing to pay) and the others are praying they can get some OOS students because it will really help their budgets.</p>
<p>I’m with those who would have a hard time paying for any UC engineering program except Cal’s. The situation is dire at all the UCs based on what profs and administrators are telling their peers. </p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I thought I read that on this board. But, come to think of it, I may be confusing this with the “change of heart” in regards to charging extra fees for engineering and some other major(s). </p>
<p>So, I guess the plan is still in place for more OOS and Internationals that can pay the big bucks. :)</p>
<p>Do the UCs say what % of spots will now go to non-Calif residents?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>SLO is awesome. I have a niece there. (heck, with nearly 50 nieces and nephews, I have one almost everywhere…LOL… 
)</p>
<p>^ I agree with above. When one does apply to a UC as OOS/Int’l its not definitely for merit aid! </p>
<p>He will be applying to USC, even though even that is a high match/reach according to Naviance. UCI seems more like a match, but I am aware that despite that the chances are slim.</p>
<p>Son is an urban kid, he would like the option of being in or near a town/city, if for nothing else just to watch a movie or grab a bite. He will not have a car. Wants pleasant weather and has done EPGY at Stanford 2 summers so just loves CA. </p>
<p>He is applying to UT (slim chance again due to OOS), Rice (high reach), G Tech (match), CMU (reach).</p>
<p>Three years ago, I decided the CA public unis weren’t worth it for OOS, I should think that would be even more true today. It’s not just about the cost, vs quality of education. You need to look at impacted majors and at some the lack of guaranteed housing.</p>
<p>^ thats what our counselor is saying.</p>
<p>Besides SCU - any other good private in CA known for Comp Engineering?</p>
<p>USC. And Stanford, of course.</p>