My .02 for those who are LA/B vs. another UC

<p>sorry if this is a little long-winded...</p>

<p>as some of you may know, I've been unsuccessfully debating with myself for a clearcut reason to commit to either UCLA or UCSD. As with many of you, I was waiting for an exact 'eureka' moment to make my decision obviously clear. That moment actually somewhat dawned on me today. I attended my CC's award ceremony for HTP, where they were calling for students to stand when their school of choice was announced. they spoke of the long journey to get to where we are, and how we've persisted to achieve our goals - and when UCSD was called, I just couldn't stand up. like many of you, UCLA had always been my dream. I would have killed to get in out of high school, but never stood a chance. I thought of the dozens of pitiful basketball games from the steve lavin years that I endured when I was younger, and the countless usc/ucla tailgate parties I've attended, and I realized that I wanted to be a part of that. somewhere along the line I had lost that desire. UCLA had always been the unreachable goal, and now that I had it
after all I seemed to have grown spoiled by my choices. if this sounds anything like your situation, fulfill your dream. ucla is and always has been my every hope, my every fear, every doubt, and my every dream. of course it will be challenging, but such is life. holla ucla class of 2012! let's make it an unforgettable experience!</p>

<p>Awesome post, mkcman17! Go Bruins!</p>

<p>Well, I wish the choice was as clear cut as UCLA vs. other UC’s…but it’s tough to make the call between UCLA and Berkeley. Right now I’m leaning towards UCLA as well.</p>

<p>I’m still trying to decide between UCLA and UCSC. If I went to LA I would be ~$1,000 short, while UCSC covers all of my financial aid even on-campus. I’m really trying to keep from getting any loans. And I live in Santa Cruz county, so while I’d love to go somewhere new, I would hate to be so far from my family and NorCal. I know that LA has more prestige, but with my major (English) I really don’t think that’ll get me much more than bragging rights.</p>

<p>your romanticization will inevitably become disillusionment.</p>

<p>girlyshout, you may be right, but at least this way I won’t be stuck with ‘what if,’ or a feeling of compromise on my goals.</p>

<p>nice epiphany <a href=“mailto:mkcman17@ucla.edu”>mkcman17@ucla.edu</a></p>

<p>i asked myself today…if i were dying where would i want to be…close to my friends and family or off on some adventure…?</p>

<p>i know in my heart where i would want to be…</p>

<p>now if only i could commit to it…</p>

<p>I would have chosen UCLA in a heartbeat if they weren’t making it impossible for me to go there. That and people at UCLA seem inexplicably arrogant.</p>

<p>I had my eureka moment this week, too. Although I knew I was going to go to Berkeley because my options had limited me to it, I was only “ok” with going. After spending 3 days there and never wanting to leave, I knew that’s where I want to be. Not like I’m satisfied with going, but now I’m so excited I want to start now! lol</p>

<p>Knitknots, I hear you there. I was really bummed by all the red tape too but i think I’ve found a niche which should make it both cheap and fun for me to go. And for Jane, you’ll make the right choice, whatever that may be.</p>

<p>@jane, obviously close to friends and family is where you should go…after your adventure’s over that is :] what’s the point in dying w/o an adventure? lol</p>