<p>Now I've been agonizing over this even wayy before I should be but all I hear at home is college this and college that and etc.. Of course I'm not objecting to that but..</p>
<p>basically I live in the Bay Area.. my mom is seriously pushing for UC Berkeley.. Mind you... SHE WORKS THERE. And it's literally 10 minutes away from where I already live. Now I'm not trying to act like a little child or be bratty but I seriously just want a new experience away from what I already know. </p>
<p>The only thing is UC Berkeley is an EXCELLENT school. Of course I'm applying but I'm seriously thinking, do I want to stay here in the Bay Area?</p>
<p>Or do I want to try something new?</p>
<p>If you've seen my other posts I'm also applying to Stanford, USC and University of Michigan Ann Arbor as my matches.. Well Stanford is a reach and if I really get lucky and get accepted I'd probably want to go there.</p>
<p>My mom keeps on downplaying USC and so does my family. Their attitude? Why go to USC when you can go to UC BERKELEYYY. Ugh.. It's frustrating..</p>
<p>Now my wild card would be University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Lol. </p>
<p>Basically, I just want a new experience.. Part of me is scared because there is some comfort to being already familiar with a place, having grown up there, and knowing that the school (UC Berkeley) is excellent and prestigious. But who's to say the other schools aren't?</p>
<p>Any thoughts and feedback? Anyone going through a similar dilemma?</p>
<p>Just had to get it off my chest but this has been bothering me.. I won't let it really get to me or become a big issue until the time comes. In the meantime, studying for ACT this Saturday.. lol. =]</p>
<p>
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Now I'm not trying to act like a little child or be bratty but I seriously just want a new experience away from what I already know.
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Understand completely and your request is reasonable.</p>
<p>
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Or do I want to try something new?
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Shoot for something new.</p>
<p>OK, personally, I think you're applying to great schools. USC is great, and may give better financial aid...who knows?...you won't know until you apply.</p>
<p>Regarding Michigan OOS...It is a great university and I have great respect for it...however, OOS publics aren't that generous with financial aid. In this respect, since you have Berkeley (or UCLA or UCSD or any other UC) in-state, UMich is not worth the cost premium. Unless your parents are rich and are willing to cover the OOS tuition, I wouldn't apply to UMich.</p>
<p>If you want to go OOS, look for privates that are more generous with financial aid...Northwestern, Cornell, Duke, Washington University St. Louis, Rice are good considerations.</p>
<p>I went to Berkeley and have a VERY pro-Berkeley bias...as others can attest...however, I was from Socal and loved the new environment. UCLA or USC can provide this escape for you that Berkeley can't...Spread your wings, go forth and explore.</p>
<p>Apply to Berkeley though...;) Wait and see what happens.</p>
<p>Believe me.. when every conversation you have in the house revolves around college this and cal this and blah blah blah.. you'll find yourself stressed. I've used music to tune her ranting out.</p>
<p>Question.. should I apply to UCLA? My mom thinks that if I apply to UCLA, somehow that will lower my chances for getting into Cal or both. She thinks when they accept students, it's either one or the other.. Now I don't know how valid this is but this is her opinion.</p>
<p>Living in CA is great because you have lots of amazing schools at in-state prices. Go to UCLA or UCSD...that way, you're getting away from home, but still having the benefit of cheap tuition.</p>
<p>(And yes, you can get into more than one UC).</p>
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If you want to go OOS, look for privates that are more generous with financial aid...Northwestern, Cornell, Duke, Washington University St. Louis, Rice are good considerations.
[/quote]
Rice is the only one on that list that really gives good financial aid.</p>
<p>My hot picks for financial aid are UVa, Rice, Vanderbilt, UNC, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cal Tech, and HYPSM.</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with wanting to get away, but do take a serious look at UCB and whether you could be happy there. Talk to you parents about staying on campus instead of commuting if you go there, even though it doesn't really make sense from their perspective. If you're living on campus then it's going to be a lot of new stuff and it won't feel as much like living at home. If it comes down to commuting to UCB or going somewhere else I'd go somewhere else though.</p>
<p>UCBChem, there are differences between Michigan and Cal or Michigan and UCLA. Ann Arbor has a very different feel than either LA or Berkeley and the campus culture/environment at Michigan is also very different from those at Cal or UCLA. I agree that no university on Earth is worth $80k more than Cal or UCLA, but if the OP has strong credentials (3.9+ unweighed GPA and 2250+ SAT/34+ ACT, she could get a merit scholarship that could close to gap substantially.</p>
<p>Is money a factor? Are you eligible for a great tuition discount at UCB? But not at the other Cal schools? (I'd be surprised, but best to find out now.)</p>
<p>BTW, I agree that it's good to get out and try new things. College is the perfect time/way to do that.</p>
<p>Alex, yep, I agree. Maybe the OP should apply to UMich and then make a decision when all cards are on the table.</p>
<p>Lily, definitely apply to UCLA! Check off UCLA, UCSD, UCSB/UCD/UCI on your UC application and pay the additional fee...small price to pay for additional peace of mind and no effort from you.</p>
<p>I grew up in Berkeley and my dad taught there so I understand where you're coming from. I actually went to UCSC my freshman year and transferred back to Berkeley to finish my degree. I then moved to San Diego cause my boyfriend was a student at UCSD (long long time ago). I have also lived in Michigan and have a bit of insight into Michigan. While the weather is quite different between the two towns, Berkeley and Ann Arbor are really fairly similar. If you're looking for different, I would not go to Michigan. I also think from a financial perspective it would be foolish.</p>
<p>I would definitely look into applying to several of the other UC campuses. They are really so different from each other and financially make a lot more sense. You are very lucky to live in CA and have the choices you do of great schools.</p>
<p>If it's not, I totally agree with you, get away and see another part of the Country. Apply to more than just one OOS and maturely talk to your mom over the next several months about the importance of becoming more worldly as we live in an increasingly global world. Say you'll go back to Cal for grad school which is it's real strength.</p>
<p>^Even if money isn't an issue, her parents will still play the money card. Even the wealthy don't like the idea of paying $40k a year if they can avoid it. </p>
<p>I think she would have a better chance of talking her parents into UCLA or UCSD, since those are the best compromise. They're a new experience (NorCal and SoCal are like different worlds), but they're still at in-state rates.</p>
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however, OOS publics aren't that generous with financial aid. In this respect, since you have Berkeley (or UCLA or UCSD or any other UC) in-state, UMich is not worth the cost premium.
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I agree with this statement. The upper-tier UCs (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD) are some of the best schools in the country - it's stupid to pay twice as much elsewhere, when the quality of education will likely be the exact same.</p>
<p>Wow thanks for all the advice! =] And yes money is a factor in the long run. We will see in time but for now I'm definitely applying to UCLA & other UCs as well. I will possibly still apply to UMich. Then I'll have the great debate with my mom when the time comes. Hahaha!</p>
<p>Its understandable, wouldn't UCB give you an advantage for having your mom work there?
and wouldn't you want to apply to other Huge Flagship schools like UIUC, UNC, UT, UVA, UWA?
I mean I do understand your want to go OOS, I mean I have it here...I don't want to go to UT or A&M.So I do want to Apply to UM(legacy ^^) (as well as others) as well...but I think having your mom work at the University is a little two close, but the people on this forum seem to be in Love with Cal... it is ultimately up to you but it it will rumble in your pocket book...
Applying to the other UCs would be smart...but do what you want...</p>