If the OP is admitted to a non-engineering division of UCLA, changing into engineering (which includes CS there) will be very difficult later. http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/ls-to-engineering/ indicates a 3.500 college GPA is needed to be eligible to apply for competitive admission, with no guarantee of admission.
Another glitch in the plan for UCLA is that the UC’s generally do not allow students to defer admission. the OP would have to re-apply next fall… unless an exception is made.
From the UC Admission FAQ page: The student can choose to wait and to apply for a fall term for which they could attend after they return. In general, UC campuses do not defer admission.
For about $8000, you could go to Alabama and then spend every spring break for 4 years visiting LA :-). That’s a net savings of $172,000, if you want to think of it that way.
Wow, I had no idea what type of traction this post would pick up! For everyone who wants to know, I was accepted into COA-Undecided physical sciences. The reason it’s my dream school is it is everything I have worked for since I was a little boy. I love the campus, I love the people, and man do I love Cali! Not to mention the stellar academics and powerful connections.
That being said, I agree with you who say it’s just a stupid decision to take on that burden of debt. I am considering all options currently including UMD. Because I want to go OOS, I will probably go with UA or VT. My original intention in posting this was to have someone ground me in my thinking, because I really knew it was not a good idea all along.
There really is an emotional attachment to all this, which is where I hope other students like me can learn in the future. As one commenter said, it really is a tough pill to swallow. Day dreaming about coming back to LA in my Ferrari afforded by that UA degree!
you can always move to LA later. Dont be a fool and saddle yourself with debt that will take decades to pay off.
"Day dreaming about coming back to LA in my Ferrari afforded by that UA degree! "
There you go!
OP, based on your last comment I think you’ll do just fine. Congrats on your admissions, and best of luck with your decisions and your future goal to come back to LA in your Ferrari!
Full rides are very rare. You are way too young to base your decision on a dream school and location. Sounds like to can get a great education without going so deeply into debt. Once you graduate with that degree, and as time passes, you will find that it really did not matter as much as you think now. If you love Cali, get a job there. And the added bonus of no debt is awesome. Think about the debt you would have, coupled with the high cost of living to live there after you land a job. Then, figure what type of salary you would need to command just to live from paycheck to paycheck. speaking from recent experience, ROTC scholarships are not a given, no matter how impressive your credentials may be. Take advantage of the gift you’ve been given and you will be much happier in the long run.
Take the Free Ride. Bama is a great school that keeps on building its reputation. If you still have a love for UCLA, consider transferring after two years, or-- better yet-- think about UCLA as the place you’ll get your MBA or something. Or you’ll choose to have your LA experience as a young executive and not as a college student. But I think you’ll have a wonderful experience at a school that wants you to win and has put its commitment to you in very essential terms; you’ll do very well and will really stand out. That level of debt (even at half the level you indicated) would turn a dream into a nightmare. And, honestly, I don’t know ANY Bama graduates who speak of their alma mater with anything but love-- and that includes some of the most successful people I know. And I also know a lot of UCLA grads…they loved UCLA, but mainly for the trappings of the location (weather, LA, the beach, the vibe) that you can get post-graduation. Congratulations, sir. This is a great situation to be in.
Can you list all your other choices (beside UA Free ride and UCLA full pay) and their net cost?
I think you’ve understood now that UCLA full pay is foolish. And I’m sorry a bad company move made your company scholarship disappear. But your reaction is very healthy - yup, get that degree and come back to work in LA. In addition, you’ll be earning money, so you’ll be able to appreciate the city more.
So, now, it’s between Bama full ride (and check: full ride or full tuition? there’s a difference) and your other choices. To find net cost, do (tuition+fees+room+board) - (scholarships+grants) =…
So while the Finalist package covers a fifth year (where you could possibly tack on an M.S. or start a law degree), it won’t automatically be “free” in years 2-5. You’ll still have your Room & Board (and travel) costs, which may or may not be able to be covered by other awards.
If you don’t need or want five years to get a degree (or two), you might find that one of your other options (like VT or UMD) is a better choice for YOU, especially if you could get in and out in under four years.
So please come back with the COA for each of the schools that are in contention after you get your final merit/FA packages.
So at UA, I was under the impression that “full ride” meant full tuition. They gave me full tuition and food and books I believe with a $2,500/yr stipend. I would be going directly into CoE-MechE.
At UMD I got no money but would be in state and I would have to do a year in “pre-engineering.” Keep in mind, with a relatively easily attainable GPA in this course load, I would be guaranteed entrance to the CoE. Also, “pre-engineering” does not put me a year behind because it’s the same classes the engineering students take, so I’d still be on track to graduating in 4 years. With in-state tuition, I would be looking at about $20k in debt after my parents help out.
At VT, I got directly into General Engineering with no financial aid as far as I know. I believe the sticker price is around $43,000 for the ROI, this doesn’t seem like a good option right now unless someone can convince me otherwise.
At PS, I got no money and directly into engineering. I don’t really want to go to this school so it’s not really on my list anymore.
Dorming is not payed for which don’t quote me but I think it’s around $10k/ yr which means I would still come out with no debt because my parents still do have a little bit saved up.
But your reaction is very healthy - yup, get that degree and come back to work in LA. In addition, you’ll be earning money, so you’ll be able to appreciate the city more. 
