So I’m a high school senior living in San Diego. I’m of Middle-Eastern descent, and typically in our culture the children stay at home and go to a nearby college. I have a great gpa (4.75) but an average sat (1350). My parents really do not want me to leave home, they want me to go to UCSD. I love San Diego and have a lot of friends here, but I just don’t know what to do. UCSD doesn’t seem like the right fit for me, it seems like a commuter school which has no fun. I want to experience new things, but also don’t want to leave my life behind in San Diego. I’ve applied to many good schools, ivys included but I know I can’t get in. UCLA is my top choice because it’s far enough to get some independence and experience new things and close enough to come back home when I want to. It would kill my parents if I left but I just can’t decide. I applied to all colleges for a bio major, my main realistic choices are UCLA, UCB, UCSD, Cal Poly SLO, USC, and of course the ivys if I miraculously get accepted. I need some help, what do I do? I can’t decide.
Did you apply to U of San Diego (private school)? It may be too late, but could be a good fit, close to home, smaller, not so commuter.
@socccer I’m not sure I get the question. Do about what? Have you been accepted anywhere yet?
It seems your situation is fairly straightforward:
See where you are accepted.
Pick your top choice.
Build your case for why it is a good choice.
Discuss with your parents.
If, at that point, they don’t agree - then you’ll have to come up with an additional plan, but do you even know
you’ve been accepted to UCSD? It is not a slam-dunk these days.
Are they expecting you to commute to UCSD?
Have you discussed finances? (Room and Board is not cheap at any school.)
UCLA, USC, Irvine (but it doesn’t look like you applied) and even UCSB and Poly SLO are relatively close to SD and most are accessible by train if the issue is just being close to home.
Alternately, if you can live at UCSD, it’s probably worth talking to some students there. You might find there’s enough student culture to make it work for you.
Hope this helps a little.
Oh, and, btw, my son and I toured UCSD and we did not get the impression at all that it is a commuter school. Maybe look again?
Also, your situation is not clear to me. Your parents would “let” you go away, and pay for you to go wherever you want, but it would kill them if you go away? You need to talk with them and find out what’s really possible.
And another thing…I totally get the wanting to get away and experience new things, and I think everyone should at some point. With your major I assume you plan to do graduate work? You can stick close to home and have the going away experience with graduate school…or summer internships. I heard of another student recently who was doing that, and found it a good fit, staying home for school, traveling in summers for internships, etc…
Have you been accepted to UCLA and USC already? As stated above, wait until you gave all decisions in hand before deciding since none of these schools are guaranteed. Will your parents pay for all the schools or only UCSD? What happens if you are not accepted to UCSD? UCSD is not a commuter school since 43% live on campus compared to SDSU which has 71% Freshman on campus but only 15% after Freshman year.
I think as long as it’s not a financial issue, and it makes you happier, then you should cut the umbilical chord. It’s not unreasonable for you to go somewhere else for college, and their reaction will be theirs to deal with.