My Chances?

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I have a very interesting one. I'm considering transferring to UChicago to be with my girlfriend. I went into UCLA honors out of high school (got into all UC) and I attended one quarter, but I took leave and went to community college for two quarters during the financial crisis. I'm just starting again at UCLA, and UChicago doesn't accept community college transfer credits (unlike UCLA), so I'll basically be two quarters behind. I think my stats are good enough to get me in, what do you guys think?</p>

<p>HSGPA: 4.4-4.5 at VERY hard school, ranked high honors (most others went to IV, Cal, or here)
ACT: 34
SAT: 2120
SAT2: 750 Bio, 780 Math
UCLA GPA: 3.5 first quarter, will be going up 3.7-3.8 because classes are easy this quarter.
Community College GPA (don't think it matters): 4.0
Extra Curricular: Ironman triathlete, work in commercial real estate, played 3 varsity sports in HS, and a bunch of insignificant stuff.</p>

<p>UCLA major: mathematics economics
Want to transfer into UChigs math with econ specialization (my gf is in that too haha)</p>

<p>I'll make up a better reason than my GF for my application haha. Oh and she'll make sure my essays are UChig quality</p>

<p>And I need to figure out where to get a fatass $50k loan to pay for the difference!!! GAAHH</p>

<p>Do you need $50k more per year? or do you need $50k total? Neither seems to make sense. </p>

<p>If you’re talking about the difference between UCLA and U of Chicago, you’re probably talking about a $100k difference in total COA. That would be a crazy loan (repayment would be $1200 per month for TEN LONG years), and even a $50k loan would have a high repayment ($600 per month for 10 long years). Do you realize how paying back such loans would handicap your life between the ages of 23 - 33??? Those should be good years, but such loans would be like an anchor.</p>

<p>I think going to a school where your GF is going is a bit crazy. What if you break up? Do you really think you’ll be together 4 years from now?</p>

<p>Honestly, if you were my kid I’d have a problem with your borrowing $50K plus and losing all those credits to be with your girlfriend. They or someone will have to cosign for that kind of loan, have you thought this through?</p>

<p>Why don’t you finish at UCLA, and then if you and your GF are still together, go to the same grad school?</p>

<p>Yea, well I’m not sure if I’ll do it yet. I can get $30k/year from my parents, and I need $20k/year in loans or other sources. I’m guessing I can make $10k minimum on my own through work. So total loan amouth should be somewhere around $20-30K assuming I don’t receive any financial aid. </p>

<p>You also have to factor in that I will probably make more money graduating out of UChicago in economics, although it’s difficult to calculate how much that is. While UCLA is a fantastic school, attending one of the worlds best economics programs at Chicago would be a dream, even without my GF there.</p>

<p>Yea I know it sounds really crazy to transfer for her, but there are obviously logistical problems with a long distance relationship ;)</p>

<p>…And while I once thought of myself as the most unlikely person to fall in love like this it somehow happened…</p>

<p>ANYWAY THE QUESTION WAS DO YOU THINK I HAVE A GOOD CHANCE!!!</p>

<p>If UCh is going to use your stats, you have a good chance. Your stats are very good.</p>

<p>UCh may not like the fact that it looks like you’re an unstable student…first at UCLA, then at a cc, then back at UCLA. UCh may think that you might not stay there.</p>

<p>And, yeah, we get the drift about “logistical problems” with a long distance relationship. My husband has a funny way of measuring, and even he couldn’t claim to reach that far… ;)</p>

<p>Thanks mom2collegekids. Yea that is good criticism. I’ll have to be prepared to explain it to them, but I think once I do they’ll understand the circumstances behind it. It’s really about my reluctance to take out a loan; I work in real estate so I’m constantly reminded of the predatory aura that plagues the loan industry. That is why I didn’t apply to Chicago out of high school and why I took time off last year. However, my life experience has led me to the conclusion that this is one of the few situations where taking out a loan is acceptable; the combination of the best school for economics and the love of my life in one place!</p>

<p>…Damn, I think I just wrote my application essay haha</p>

<p>^^^</p>

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<p>:)</p>

<p>So, are you giving up your real estate connections to move to Chicago? </p>

<p>Maybe if you get married, UCh will think you’ve finally settled down in one place.</p>

<p>Haha those connections aren’t going to make me any real money in this market. </p>

<p>Well, the university may think that but we would only get married for love. </p>

<p>and um… we may be doing that… soon… :)</p>