<p>The scoop:</p>
<p>USC and UCI were my top two choices. And I have been offered admission into both universities. In fact, I flew out from the Midwest in 2009 to visit Orange County/Irvine and explore the campus and the area. As a new CA resident (SF Bay), I have visited OC/Irvine several times since for 1-3 days at a time and developed enough of a feel for the area that I think I would enjoy living and going to school there. Furthermore, given my professional background to date and the design of the program (urban planning) at UCI, I feel like I would be able to make more of a research contribution there.</p>
<p>As it turns out, no school is offering me a scholarship or grant. USC is redonkulously expensive, so no to them. Berkeley and UCLA turned me down, but I wasn't in love with them anyway. UCI is ranked much higher on a national scale than the Cal States I applied to, and not drastically more expensive. So, it looks like I'll be zot zoting!</p>
<p>So, what have your (or your siblings', parents', BFF's, etc.) experience as a UCI grad student? Should I pay UCI one more visit to "be sure"? I do feel confident about my decision!</p>