I recently got admitted into UCLA and UC Berkeley. UCLA has always always been my dream school and UCLA and cal had offered me the same amount of money, only having to pay five thousand a year. But yesterday I got awarded the fiat lux scholarship at cal, which is basically a full ride. I know many people like cal over UCLA anyway just because of its prestige, but I already live in the Bay Area, and I wanted to move to SoCal and start a new life and explore new things. I just don’t feel alive and happy at Cal like I did at UCLA. Berkeley is old to me, so is SF. So, any opinions? Obviously I have make up my mind by Monday, but I would like to SIR somewhere by today.
I would do UCLA! Regardless, LA still gave you a lot of money! I think UCLA would definitely be worth it, showing that you really have a passion for the school and will really benefit from their education.
If money is a prominent issue in your household, I’m sure you will do just as fine at Berkeley! Go in with an open mind and the people there will really make you like your experience, even if you’re not a huge fan of Cal. Good luck! Update us
Agree on taking the money - I am in my late 30’s, had a full ride myself back in the day, and thank my lucky starts that I am not paying the student loans that my colleagues are.
This can’t be answered without knowing how much $5,000 matters to your parents. $5,000/yr is neglible to some and not a factor. You have valid reasons for preferring UCLA. If loans are involved for the $5,000, then take the money.
However, you have to look at the whole package. Does it already factor in you working? You can earn $5,000 if you work 10-15 hours per week in school plus summer. Does your net cost include books and incidentals or is that in addition to the $5,000?
If you are living on campus, then even at Cal you will be living a very different life compared to living at home. You will wake up surrounded by other students, and will decide yourself when to study and when to eat and when to have fun. I think that in many ways this will be staring a new life and exploring new things regardless of which university you choose.
One advantage of Cal: While you will be living your own life there, if something goes wrong (you get the flu or have a nasty breakup, or ??) then parents won’t be too far away on the rare occasion that you need help.
There is no bad choice here, there is no “average” choice here. To get these two great opportunities you must be a very good student who has worked very hard to earn these opportunities. Personally I would choose Cal and take the money. Whatever you choose, Congratulations!
We are paying about 5K/year more for D17’s preferred school. Her other choices were less desirable to her, but generally a similar quality of school. It is an affordable difference for our family. If the 5k isn’t a hardship, go to UCLA.
Like other posters said we don’t know the whole picture. Do you plan on grad school? Does the 5K difference per year take into account all the differences such as travel cost. If you will have a total of 20K in loans and have a major that pays reasonably well then repaying 20K should not be a big issue. However since you live in an extremely high cost of living area it could be. Most here would suggest picking the best cost option given two excellent choices.
I would suggest stepping back from the dream for a minute. Dreams often take on a like of their own that is far better than reality. The old grass is greener on the other side. What I suggest is objectively look at what school is best for what you want to study. Which has the strongest program? Is your major impacted at either school? Look at other areas that interest you if case you decide to change majors. Which school has better internship/research opportunities? Then dig into the course catalog and get a feel for the type of courses offered in your major. Look at the general education requirements. Can you live with them? Who gives the best AP credit? Look at how often course are offered.
I caution you that four years will go by in flash. You can always move after graduation. It is that that uncommon for students to spend all four years in the campus bubble and neve. My wife went to school about 10 miles from home. She never went home. I doubt her parents ever visited. After graduating she moved to NYC and never looked back. I went to a school in a dumpy city and never left campus since that was where everything was.
Save the money and have a good summer trip every year. When you are in school, it does not really matter where you are as there is little culture or climate difference between the 2 campus. Unless you are commuting if you go to CAL.
Could UCLAgirl tell us exactly what’s in her FA pkg from each school?
also…clarify family income status. If low income, the $5k could be a burden, PLUS the add’l costs of getting this student back and forth to school for holidays, breaks, etc.
What about study abroad opportunities? Would the full ride at Cal allow you to take some other opportunities such as study abroad to give you that “going away and trying new things” experience?
The additional cost of driving from LA to SF is not that much. If her parent’s have to drive down and get her, it’s $110 round trip if their car gets 20 miles to the gallon (at $3/gallon and I paid $2.85 in San Diego on Thursday). I’m sure she can find someone to catch a ride with to get to the SF area for holidays. Are any friends going to UCLA that could car pool or alternate driving?
The fact that Berkley added a scholarship at the last minute implies high stats to me. Yes, we need more info from parents but this isn’t a kid from the NE wanting to go to a UC as OOS full pay. $20,000 over four years is not a deal breaker even if loans and I don’t think it has to be. I don’t like LA but I would choose UCLA over Berkley in a heartbeat.
We need more info but I don’t want to discourage OP that $5,000/year and $1,000 total transportation per year is automatic no go. I understand if OP doesn’t want to post details of the aid including merit vs need based but that is necessary for good advice.
Does the $5,000 net cost already include a student job? I think that is the most important financial fact. $1500/semester after taxes is not hard to earn. I looked up one random campus job at a coffee shop and it was $10.75/hour That’s $3,000 in school year and then a summer job where you live at home.
The $5,000 needs to be on the student, not the parent. That’s the best way to decide if it’s worth the money.
While 5,000 dollars is a lot of money. I don’t necessarily think that it is enough money to where you can’t go to where you truly want to. So I say go to your dream school and enjoy every minute of it.
What does $5,000 represent to you and your family? One fifth of your family’s income? Savings they have for your college? And is that before or after federal loans?
Fiat Lux gives you two important things, a personal adviser there to help you (something you don’t have at a UC as a freshman or sophomore) and a financial adviser in case something goes wrong financially or you need extra aid.
Are there loans if your UCLA aid pkg? If so, how would you cover the $5k to go to UCLA?
As for the above mention about cost of gas to UCLA, that isn’t my only concern. If this is a low income family, they may not have a car reliable to make such journeys and/or they may not have jobs where they can take a couple days off work to drive their kid. Transportation is often a troubled issue for low income students.