In a bit of a dilemma...

College Search & Selection
1

Oh boy. This is indecisiveness to the max.

Last month I was furiously debating between Washington University in St. Louis and UCLA. I was looking at the engineering majors offered, the campus, housing situation, and pretty much everything else. They were both neck and neck but I ended up choosing Wash U.

A few days after submitting my deposit and everything, I started to have cold feet and really felt like I should’ve gone to UCLA. It is closer to home, and the connections I could make there could help me secure a job in California, which is where I want to settle down. The downsides of UCLA are the size, the housing, and the lack of a specific major - Industrial / Systems Engineering. I was feeling so uneasy that I contacted UCLA and asked if I could change my decision to decline my SIR. They eventually got back to me, saying that the freshman class is full and over-enrollment is a serious problem, and declined my request. So that door is closed now.

I was then like, “Okay, Wash U is where I’m going.” Now, though, I’m seriously considering going to my instate school, the University of Arizona. The U of A was never really on my radar until recently, after looking at all the hassles involved in going to a school far away. I was at the campus for my graduation ceremony, and I thought to myself “You know, this campus really isn’t that bad.” I don’t know why I dismissed it so quickly (probably because of “prestige”). It is 10 minutes from home, I have a friend group that I can fall back on, and it is super cheap (I’m getting 13k a year). It also has the major I’m interested in, and its name is kind of well known in CA. Downsides are that it’s huge, it’s familiar, and is known as a party school. I’m the antithesis of a stereotypical partier.

So now I’m really confused. Since I’ve already accepted Wash U, should I just stick with it and hope for the best? Or should I forfeit that 450 dollar deposit and accept the U of A? Wash U is a better school overall, but I’m not sure how its engineering program is. Also, I really don’t want to live in the St. Louis/the Midwest. My mom is pushing for Wash U, however, because she feels like I would fit in to that academic environment and would benefit from a smaller private school. Also, she wants me to experience a new part of the country. Arizona is close by, and I know the campus well, but it seems like the easy option.

Any thoughts? Thanks for reading.

2

Listen to your mom. Mother knows best. You’re having cold feet because you’re nervous about being away from home and change. I think you’ll get a better education at WUSTL (fantastic school!) and grow more both academically and non-academically. Stop worrying so much and enjoy the summer and relax a little!

3

@doschicos Thank you so much, that made me feel a lot better. I have been nonstop worrying since I received my acceptances, I think it’s time to stop! :smiley: Do you think it would be difficult to land an internship/job in California, though, going to WUSTL?

4

Not harder than from 'Zona, IMO.

5

No, I don’t think getting an internship in California. WUSTL is a well known school and respected nationwide by those who know colleges. If my kids had the decision to make that you did, I’d have encouraged them to make the same choice.

6

I think Wash U. is a fabulous school, and you will be able to get a fine education there. You’ll have access to great mentorship and advising, have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, and have opportunities to conduct undergraduate research, and have access to a strong alumni network.

I’d choose it over the university of Arizona – and UCLA – in a heartbeat.

7

Going to university is a big change in a student’s life. It is understandable that you are nervous. Probably every student is nervous before going off to university.

Washington University in St. Louis is a great university and a beautiful location. I gave a talk there once to a small seminar class. Afterwards the professor gave me a tour of the campus and of St Louis. I was very impressed by both. The professor was also very good (smart, reasonable, and knowledgeable in his field, which was my field also).

I think that your mom is right. I think that you should go to Washington U, not because of the small deposit, but because it is such a great opportunity. I think that you will do very well there.

8

I think that what you are feeling is normal. Go to WashU- congrats!

9

Don’t worry, I was the same way when I started college. I think you’ll enjoy it at WashU; I have friends there who really love it. If it fits you academically and you are generally satisfied with living there, I see no reason why not. I agree with your mother and everyone else: it might seem scary at first but you’ll get to explore a new part of the country and meet all different kinds of people. Just work hard and have fun! Good luck! :-bd

10

Have you ever visited WashU or StL? It doesn’t seem like you have.

WashU looks like something out of a movie set.

11

Not a dilemma if you look only forward and put all of that acceptance stress and decision making behind you. You are no longer in the choice and deciding phase, you are now in the graduation then moving on to actually going to college phase. Have fun with it all, get excited. There’s plenty to be excited about. Your mindset has a lot to do with how you feel and will feel. Focus on the positives and what you are gaining. Do your best to keep that positive frame of mind.

12

Focus on the next step.

Learn from the earlier steps, but don’t retrace them.

13

Thank you all for your responses. I feel a lot more at ease now.

@PurpleTitan I have visited Wash U. St. Louis wasn’t that impressive, but I did like the campus a lot. I’d give Wash U an 8/10 and the U of A a 7/10.

I received a letter from the U of A saying that they’re actually giving me 18,000 a year. Money isn’t a huge concern for my family when it comes to paying for college, but it’s certainly something to consider.

14

Update: I heard back from UCSD saying that I have until tomorrow to submit my SIR, if I wish to change my decision to decline, and attend in the fall. UCSD was sort of on my radar, but after being accepted to UCLA and Wash U it kind of took a backseat. Now that I’m looking into it a bit more, it seems like it might be a good fit for me (I know it has the “socially dead” stereotype, but that doesn’t really bother me). The pros are that it is closer to home, it is strong in STEM and has the name to help me secure a job in CA, and it is in a great location. The cons are that it is a huge school, it has the difficulty of switching majors that pretty much all UC schools are afflicted by, and it does not offer the major that I tentatively want to study (Industrial / Systems Engineering).

Should I look further into UCSD? Or is this just another school that I have to forget, and stay committed to Wash U?

Also, even though my family can afford these schools, should I still forget about the 72,000 that the U of A is giving me?

15

Are you getting aid at WUSL? I expect you are not at UCSD. If that is the case, you could always transfer to UCSD after two years if you really hate it. Buyer’s remorse is real. My D turned down a near full-ride to U of A for a top school and I had a little buyer’s remorse because of the check I’ll write but I know that’s normal so I put it aside.

I think you are too worried about internships and jobs in CA. Does UCSD participate in Western Exchange? I think your real options are U of A or WUSL and I’d go with WUSL if it is affordable. We live in a mobile society. A national university like WUSL will give you the most flexibility nationwide, including CA. I think U of A and UCSD will give you great options out west. I think all will serve you well and don’t overthink it. After a few years in the work place, your performance is more important than your academic pedigree.

16

Since you are OOS for UCSD, you will be paying full fees at $60K/year. Why turn down good money and pay $240K just to live in California? Pick the college that shows you the love $$$$ and come to California with your 4 year degree in hand and little debt.

17

Another vote to go to WUSL. I agree with others that you’re overly worried about internships/jobs in CA. Wash U is well known and you’ll have no problem with job placement (any more or less of a problem than with other schools, anyway). Go, enjoy, congrats, and try not to worry! It’s normal to second-guess, but remember, you can always transfer if you don’t like WUSL.

18

You will have much smaller classes that will be much easier to enroll into at Wash U. You will have much more flexibility in choosing and completing a major. The resources available to you will be much more significant than at UCSD and Arizona (both great schools), and really more significant than just about anywhere. It’s a terrific learning community. You will find fun things to do in St. Louis. Maybe it’s not LA, but it offers a lot. Cost could be an issue, but your mom favors Wash U, so that seems fine. Go. Work hard. Embrace opportunities. Learn from and with the amazing people around you. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. You’ll do great, in CA or anywhere else you want to live. Good luck!