Europe or US...Accept/Defer/Gap Year???

“The cost seems ridiculous to me (all out of state) with minimal to no grant aid despite my family estimated contribution. in fact, the bulk of financial aid offers were surprisingly “loans.””

Are any of those OOS universities affordable for your family? You haven’t stated anything about that. If the aid “packages” are simply recommendations of parent loans after your own student loans, then you probably should just walk away from all three.

How are you planning to pay for the European options if you are admitted? Run the numbers to verify that they are likely to fit within your family’s budget.

There is a very well-worn path from the California CCs to the UCs and CSUs. Since you are in-state, that could end up being your best option. Don’t immediately overlook it. Does your family’s finances land you in CalGrant territory? For ideas about that, pop over to the Financial Aid Forum.

There is nothing wrong with taking a gap year to think through the best ways of making your education work. Since you don’t seem particularly enamored of any of the places where you have been accepted, that gap year may be the way to go for now.

Have you applied to Leiden University? It’s an amazing university in an amazing small city in an amazing country. I’d go there in a heartbeat if I could.

Total cost for an American to attend Leiden for a year, not counting travel costs, would be roughly $28,000. Amazingly cheap.

Yes, applied! Awaiting decision, so excited! What do you know about Leiden U? Any advice?