- I did a brief craigslist search to gauge the living cost in Cupertino, and although it is indeed more expensive ($1,000) than where I am right now ($700), it isn't as bad as I expected it to be and is manageable for me. I live in Chula Vista, which is a little south of San Diego. I live in the northern part of Chula Vista and pay $700 for rent. If I were to get a room near UCSD, the cost would rise to a similar range as Cupertino.
- I am 100% independent. I work while going to school right now. All of my bills, the tuition that's tippled due to being a non-resident, grocery costs, extremely high California gas price, insurance, car payments, rent, etc... I pay them all myself. Of course, if and when I move up north to Cupertino, I will still be working while attending school. However, I'm doing some marketing stuff on the side right now and have a chance at setting up some passive income. If I can get this taken care of with the passive monthly income high enough to cover my monthly expenses, I might not have to work for my sophomore year and onward.
- Are LORs really difficult to obtain? I am asking because I'm oblivious as I've never attempted to receive one. Also, when should I try to get them. When I'm ready to transfer or after each semester? I'm sure my math professor would give me one if I asked.
- Most of my classmates are young kids. At least, the ones I interact with are, and they simply don't seem to care about GPA and seem to be satisfied enough with barely passing. The few older friends I have as well are doing very well in school while working on the side. One of them even won 2nd place in a small writing contest that served a dual purpose as an extra credit assignment.