I need Help/Advice

Transfer Students
1

<p>I was admitted to two Political Science programs as a transfer student. One at UC, Irvine, and the other at Columbia University in NYC.</p>

<p>This may seem like an easy choice, but when cost and time are factors the choice is very difficult. </p>

<p>The facts are these:</p>

<p>UCI has offered me a very decent financial aid package that would pay for my tuition and fees. Also they have admitted me as a senior, so I would be finished in just about 1 year. I already live in Los Angeles, so the commute wouldn't be too bad.</p>

<p>Columbia has admitted me as a junior (so 2 full years of study), and their financial aid package for me will not cover much. Essentially I'd be looking at $90,000+ in student loans to cover the total cost of tuition, fees, and living expense.</p>

<p>Columbia has always been my dream school, but the financial cost is certainly frightening, in addition to the extra year they want from me, especially since I also want to pursue a PhD afterwards. However, most programs at top universities are funded for PhD students, so that should cut down on a little bit of my debt-panic. Or I could graduate from UCI, which while respectable, is no Columbia, and graduate more or less debt free, but at an opportunity/networking cost that might affect my chances of admission to a really good PhD program.</p>

<p>Thoughts? Which should I choose? I'd appreciate any insight.</p>

2

<p>$90,000 is waaaaaayyyyy too much debt!! Have you run a calculator to determine the monthly payment on that? Yikes!!</p>

<p>UCI is very well-respected. If you do well there and make a name for yourself in your department, you will do just fine for grad school. Save your money for grad school, and take that great offer from UCI.</p>

3

<p>go to UCI I know that it might not be your dream school. However 90,000 is way too much! UCI has a better opportunity for you, you will be done sooner and in less to no debt. I know its the your dream choice, but its the smarter choice imo.</p>