So I initially came to California to work. My area of Nevada had very few work opportunities, I was having trouble balancing school and financial needs. And, quite simply, graduate degrees had been disasterous for my parents (whom I’m estranged from) and I wasn’t intent on going down the same debt-riddled path to unemployment, utility shutoffs, and living in cramped trailers with dangerous neighbors.
Several bouts of unemployment and near homelessness later and my job coach suggested I go back to a community college and strongly encouraged me to apply to the UC system later. Two years later and I, an English major, got into UCB, UCI, and UCD. UCB in particular has an English program that outranks any other. Unfortunately, having only been in-state for two years, having gone to others asking for help in financial emergencies, and only being 23, I’m an out-of-state student and ineligible for need-based aid.
So now what do I do? Part of me got my hopes too much up after acceptance and is having trouble hitting the button to cancel it. Are there any solutions I haven’t thought of yet? And I still want a degree that’s competetive and gives me an advantage in the workforce so I don’t end up unemployed like so many other college graduates. Do I go back to my CC and apply for more schools for Spring? Any insight or advice you can offer is welcome - thanks!
When can you become in-state? Have you run the net price calculator on any private colleges?
If it’s not looking like you can afford a four year degree any time soon, switch your focus at the community college to a career-oriented certificate and work for a while, The CC career center should have ideas about which programs have the best placement success.
Thanks for helping, AroundHere! I can only get UC residency with 3 years of consecutive work with no classes, though I qualify as in-state in the CSU system (information which I have only recently discovered.) And my recent research has shown that (at least in theory) most private universities would offer me a full ride.
Unfortunately, I cant really change my career path at this point- between the cc and my Nevada school I have way too many English credits to just throw them aside. (Also, I seem to have a competitive advantage in writing related things, but not so much in other fields and professions.)
https://career.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Survey/2015English.pdf
https://career.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Survey/2014English.pdf
Average salary is 40-45k for English graduates. You do the math if you want to. I probably wouldn’t take the deal. I would wait another year for in-state tuition and make a game plan on exactly what you want from college.
OK: Your best bet is to apply to private schools that will give you financial aid then. After making sure your stats match and running the NPC, check out the career/placement office when school shopping: English majors can be hard to place, and a good career office will help you with internships, etc. that improve your chances of your degree improving your career path.
You might want to consider pursuing a degree that holds promise of preparing you for a job and/or career. Given what you wrote about your parents, I’d assume that would be a top consideration for you. Remember, supply and demand? Well what will you get out of an English degree that just about everyone in the workforce also has? Will you have developed an specific skills sets? I doubt it.
Graduate, then join the military and have them pay off your loans
Regarding the choice of major, I wouldn’t stress about it too much. Everyone who graduates with a BA or BS is going to start at an entry level position. How you progress from there is less about your degree and more about work ethic and adaptability. Written communication is also a pretty big deal. I’d stick with English.
I forget, but do you need to prove the financial independence requirement of having supported yourself for a few years if you’re turning 24 during the year you apply (or transfer)? I seem (vaguely) to recall them telling my wife something like that, in which case only your continued presence in CA and intent to stay would be considered…
EDIT: in which case, your best bet may be to simply wait a year to transfer if possible.
English can be very marketable if you add some skills (especially media/internet related) and internships.
Go to Berkeley or call (in person is probably better) and talk with someone about deferring entry so that you can work. Explain homelessness etc.
Even if the deferment is denied, contact the English dept. and explain your predicament, indicating you intend to reapply next year once you’ve worked a bit.
Check out the private colleges:
Look into Pomona, in particular.
Are you a woman? Then Scripps.
Occidental if you’re political/liberal, McKenna (Literature) if you’re conservative.
Pizter and uredlands Johnson center.
Ucsb CCS literature might also interest you.
transfer to UNR instead… you have until 7/1.
http://www.unr.edu/oiss/prospective-international-students/admissions-process/application-deadlines
Even if the treat you as OOS, tuition will be lower than a UC… Since you got into Cal, I can’t imagine they’d reject you. Cost of living is much lower too. Two years in Reno and you’ve got your degree. Come back to CA for the rest of your life.
Come on NCalrent, you typically give so much good advice, you can’t be serious !!
(I don’t know if you’re joking or cruel. )
This kid got into ucb, the best public university in the nation, and you’re suggesting s/he should apply for a university that’s wayyy at the bottom for all the flagships ??
‘brand’ is more important for English majors than for engineering, resources (career center, facilities, support for fellowships) are vital… A degree in English from Reno has neither and is NOT worth it. Better take a gap year or apply in the fall for a college that’ll work.
12 months ago, I would have suggested another course. This is a 23 year old with an 11th hour problem who has dug himself out of a deep hole to qualify for an elite school that won’t assist him with OOS tuition, (which shouldn’t be a surprise). UCB all but doesn’t do deferments and a gap year won’t solve his residency problem and he may not be admitted for 17. In my experience, at this stage, a gap year will turn into two, then three and so on.
I mention UNR because their transfer application window is still open for Fall 16 (few others are) and their tuition is a compelling contrast to UC’s OOS rate. Nevada also seems to be his home state, giving him a shot at in-state tuition and a BA by before he turns 26. No argument that UNR ain’t Cal but, Cal isn’t a viable option at this stage and a BA from UNR now beats maybe tomorrow. I think he is best served by completing his degree quickly and getting on with his career. His resiliency suggests he’ll be successful in life no matter what name is on his diploma.
@“Silent Echo” Although, if you are 24 (during the calendar year you are requesting resident classification) then you are not subject to the financial independence requirement, is that what’s preventing you from being considered in-state tuition? You should talk to a counselor about it and see when is the soonest you would qualify for in-state tuition and if it’s next year, I don’t think there’s that much to lose from waiting a year and reapplying.
I believe he has been enrolled in a CA public school the entire time he has been in CA, UC concludes that he came to CA to study rather than work. My understanding is, there’s no age limit to that restriction.
For what it’s worth, most universities will provide a deferment for military service.
Maybe that’s worth looking into.
I agree that if you decide to go to a state college in Nevada you should forget about English.
It may be worthwhile at a school like Berkeley but it’s a waste of time at most other schools.
Good luck to you.
@NCalRent I was looking here: http://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/residency-tuition-purposes/basic-requirements-residency
Since OP has had physical presence for a year in CA, and I assume has eligible immigration status and established some form of intent to remain in CA at least a year ago, then the only other requirement would be financial independence, which must ONLY be proven when you are an “unmarried undergraduate under the age of 24” Otherwise, financial independence is presumed. And then there are exemptions for which the OP may not qualify (eg. veteran, ward of the court, etc.)
Here it explains in more detail: http://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/residency-tuition-purposes/in-state-tuition-undergraduates
So if the OP were to wait until they are 24, I’m pretty sure they would qualify for resident tuition, in which case it may be worth putting off transferring for a year. I would seriously consider it, but of course FIRST check and verify ALL this info with someone at the university who would be qualified to given you a definite and official answer.
yakattak, not all majors are the same in terms of employability. if you major in accounting, you can start work soon after graduating. If you are an engineer, you will be highly sought after. Humanities? Social sciences? nope.
^ not true. If you have a major with a clear vocational path (accounting, engineering, teaching, nursing) your major determines what job you have.
If you have another type of major, it’s up to you - through experie’ces such as research or internships - to show how your skills translate professionally. Most majors don’t have a linear path major = career, so it’s harder to figure out what to do with them and you have to be more proactive in seeking out experiences that will demonstrate your skill set.
@juillet has a lot of good examples.