Good afternoon y’all.
I’m a California community college student with a 3.92 GPA. At the very end of May, I was graciously offered admission to USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering. On this past Wednesday, by some miracle I rolled off the waitlist at UCLA for Engineering as well, and now I don’t know what to do. I had already SIRd to USC a month ago, and what attracts me to USC because of its smaller class sizes, smaller student to faculty ratio, flat campus (I have physical challenges), semester system schedule, and other smaller academic opportunities that I’ve looked into. UCLA attracted me because it’s a wonderful school, but more importantly, a great school for the price. UCLA’s pros are USC’s cons and vice versa. Or so I thought.
Here’s the problem, after a large number of attempts to reach the financial aid office at UCLA since I’ve received my admission decision I still have not received my Provisional Aid Letter. I have confirmed that FAFSA was completed in March on time, and UCLA received my file in April according to what I see when I log in to myUCLA. I can’t know for sure that UCLA will actually be significantly cheaper than USC, and I’d kick myself in the head for the rest of my life if I gave up USC and it turns out I’m still in close to the same financial situation I’d be in if I stayed. At this point all I can rely on is the net price calculator , and it’s giving me very similar numbers to USCs costs. It’s going to take me a little longer to finish at UCLA though (due to said physical challenges).
Im sorry for rambling, I’m just super stressed out because I only have until tomorrow night to decided if I want to sir to UCLA or not. I’d already prepared myself to go to USC; it’s my dream school (both were up until I got a chance to visit, then it became clear which school was the better fit), I never thought I’d get in, it already feels like home, and I’ve received such a warm welcome so far. The only thing holding me back is the price. UCLA is fantastic, hence why I even applied in the first place, and it might save me a little more money, it’s just that the environment is a less than ideal in my situation. I’m truly conflicted at the moment, because either way I choose is gonna haunt me for the rest of my life.
Did you get off the list on the 28th? I did too, it seems there was a mini wave of acceptances that day. I haven’t received my PAL either!!! X( :-w I called the financial aid office so many times, I almost drove myself crazy (which adds to my apprehension of attending such a large public school). I’m in the same situation you are in tbh. I think UCLA would be my cheaper financial choice, but USC is my best fit in many other ways, and I’m not sure how much of a discount is worth abandoning that. If only I had an extra business day to decide :-< I almost considered double depositing just to buy myself some time/wait for the PAL hahaha jk. Even if it weren’t unethical to do so, I wouldn’t and can’t because I don’t have 250 bucks to waste (hence my indecision). Idk what to do either. Best of luck to you!
“It’s going to take me a little longer to finish at UCLA though (due to said physical challenges).”
Actually if you have a significant physical handicap(?), you could be eligible for early registration in classes which may benefit you in UCLA.
@InTheNightSky95 congrats! I dont know if I’m happy or sad that we’re in the same boat ha. Could you let me know if you if you make your decision or get your PAL?
@uclaparent9 yes! I’m applying to have that accommodation considered at either school. It’s less of a physical handicap in a traditional sense, and more of a chronic health issue that affects my mobility a majority of the time. My health makes this a scary decision either way.
@Conflicted2k17 thanks! will do! I guess we really are “in a pickle” lol
@Conflicted2k17 I just realized that you brought up another one of my concerns: dealing with DSP. I had the worst experience at my community college, so in either case I’m apprehensive. But I’m even more worried about doing so at a school so big.
I cannot speak for UCLA administration, but you should hold out for USC as long as possible until the financials have been settled.
Congratulations.
@artloversplus hi! I’m not the OP but we got accepted on same day so I’m sure the deadline is same as mine: tonight lol. Do you think it would be inappropriate to ask UCLA for a deadline extension on the grounds of not having a provisional aid letter yet?
“Do you think it would be inappropriate to ask UCLA for a deadline extension on the grounds of not having a provisional aid letter yet?”
If it is UCLA that has not yet told you about financial aid, then I think that it is very reasonable to ask UCLA for more time on the basis that you need to know this information before deciding. Whether they will actually give you more time is not possible for me to guess.
If it were me, if they insist on an answer before they tell you about aid, then I would assume that there will be no aid at all and make my decision on that basis.
@DadTwoGirls thanks for the response! UCLA has so far been extremely unresponsive, so I’ll assume that I’m either never getting an answer, or they won’t even answer until well after the deadline.
@InTheNightSky95 Yeah, that scares me too. I haven’t heard anything from UCLA, and I’m a nervous wreck. It’s crunch time now. And I’m still at a standstill. How about you? Did you decide already? I wish I had 200 to spare to see, but if I had that kind of money to waste in the first place I wouldn’t be in this predicament anyhow, haha.
@Conflicted2k17 I can’t decide. They say indecision is a decision 
I checked my bank account and I don’t even have 250 dollars which is probably a sign in itself. I want to take the plunge but I can’t afford to get burned.