I feel so confused. Help?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have no idea what to decide about college next year...
UW - UCSB - SDSU - UO - UCSC</p>

<p>University of Washington was my first choice, but unfortunately it's pretty pricey (I'd pay out-of-state tuition since I live in California), so I'd end up with a LOT of loans to pay off after I graduate. For that reason alone I know I should discount UW as a possibility, but I can't... there's something about it that feels so "right", like that's the place I'm "meant" to go to (in a fate sort of way- if you believe it). I know I haven't really explained it that well or persuasively, but for what it's worth, I feel I should go there pretty intensely.</p>

<p>More than likely though, UW will fall through because of the cost (which is defintely understandable, yet so deeply disapointing), and I'll have to decide where to go quick.
My other options are UCSB, UCSC, SDSU and UO (although Oregon's also out-of-state, they offered more finnancial aid than UW). </p>

<p>More than anything, I guess I'm conflicted on which "path" to take in life, because I know that my decision on which of the schools to go to will set me on very different "paths"- and I don't want to make a wrong choice! Even though I know how the schools compare with academics, social life, etc., I'm still having a lot of trouble deciding where exactly to go (or if I should still consider UW).</p>

<p>So, what would you do in my situation?</p>

2

<p>UCSB. It is ranked just as high as Washington (almost) and you get to pay in state tuition. Oregon is a great school, but simply not on par academically with UCSB (top 50 in nation). Santa Cruz isn’t a bad option if you received better financial aid. They had a jump in applicants and reduced their admit rate by around 15%. BUT if everything was equal I would go to UCSB. </p>

<p>The only way I would consider Oregon is if it was cheaper that UCSB, but there is no reason to pay out of state fees when you have a great university in state.</p>

3

<p>I agree completely.

Unless you have a very compelling reason (such as a major not available). why go to UO or UW?</p>