So, I started a view threads asking for advice on what college to attend. I am choosing between UCSB, UIUC, and cal poly SLO, but i really dont know what to say when people say things like “Choose which college you like best”. Honestly, I feel like I’d be the same at every college. I don’t really care about how campuses look or anything. I wouldn’t want to be in a school where everyone is super focused on school, but at the same time I want to go to a school that has a decent academic reputation. Also, I dont know if I can go on college tours because I’m just really busy with school (im doing dualenrollment so my grades transfer in some cases) and other stuff.
Stuff to add: im majoring in electrical engineering, but idk what i want to do in life really. I just chose that major becuase I like math (but i dont like theoretical math). I am also interested in actuarial science, but u really dont need to major in that to get a job in that…,. u just need to pass actuarial exams.
If you really feel like the colleges will meet your needs pretty much on an equal level and you think you will do fine at any one of them, then perhaps you could use any cost difference as guide. Even a difference of a few thousand dollars adds up to a pretty significant amount over four years.
@NorthernMom61 yeah, i am doing that. my parents on the other hand tell me not to worry about money (they make good money and will pay for it). UIUC costs 50k for me, and idk… my parents are 50, my sis just graduated from USC, which my parents paid for, and i honestly dont think my parents will every retire if i spend 200k on uiuc. they probably make 200k a year combined, so i know that will put them back. cal poly SLO is also good for engineering and will only be about 25k. i think that is much more reasonable, but i honestly have no idea how the atmosphere at either schools are.
Wow that is a big difference in price. Also, it sounds like you live in California so don’t forget to consider the extra travel costs over four years. It is hard to decide when you have several good choices, and it doesn’t sound like it is reasonable for you to visit. My daughter has to make her choice without visiting too, because we live overseas and it just isn’t practical to go to accepted student days at the different schools. But, she has the attitude that she will make the best of whichever school she ends up going to, she will find a way to fit there rather than expecting the school to fit her. It’s all a matter of perspective I guess. It is wonderful that your parents aren’t worried about the money, and at the same time that you care so much about how the difference in cost will affect them. There is a balance in there somewhere. In your situation, there doesn’t seem to be a truly wrong choice. So you make one and don’t look back. Regret is not worth the energy.
And from the brochures and website for Cal Poly SLO, the scenery and campus are just beautiful!
bump
I think it’s important to find the time to visit the schools. You won’t know whether or not you have a bad taste in your mouth from a school until you visit it. The brochures ALL look beautiful, as do the videos. That’s why they’re out there, to make the school look its best.
Easter vacation is coming up. Try to get to some then, or take a couple of weekends and go.