Not really sure what to do at this point

College Search & Selection
1

Hi,

I was accepted at NYU, Boston University, University of San Francisco, UCI with Honors, USCD, and Drexel with Honors. NYU has been my top choice since like October, but they didn’t offer enough aid for it to be possible for me to go there at all. BU didn’t give me enough aid either, so I have to choose between USF, UCI, UCSD, and Drexel. I have five days left now and I haven’t gotten any closer to making a decision since the beginning of April so I need as much help as I can get lol

I haven’t decided on a major yet which makes this a lot harder but I’m pretty sure I’m going to be doing one or two of the following (maybe minoring in one? idk there are so many majors that I’m interested in so I think I’m going to minor in at least one but I’m not sure): sociology, linguistics, international relations, environmental studies/sustainability, english, history, psychology

I really want to study abroad at some point, so the quality of the study abroad programs at each of the schools is an important factor as well… if anyone knows anything about that specifically at that schools it would be great if you could help me with this because I don’t really know how to approach researching this

Our EFC is $34,500, and my family can pay around that next year (NYU would’ve been $62k and BU would’ve been $66k and taking out $30k/year in loans is ridiculous so that’s why I can’t go)

I live in CA (near Santa Cruz) so in-state for UCs

UCI (Campus Honors Program) - $28,000/year
Pros:
-Strong academics, esp in the humanities/social sciences
-I love the campus (the architecture, layout, how green it is, etc.)
-Honors program benefits: research (100% of CHP students participate in undergraduate research), priority registration (CHP folks get to sign up for classes before most seniors), small, interesting community (700 students in CHP), professors love students in the honors program, additional faculty advisers, helps with finding internships
-Study abroad options (especially for CHP students)
-Most affordable option by a long shot – we wouldn’t have to take out loans for me to go here, which is a huge plus
-This is like really trivial but I love the mascot and the fact that the school isn’t that big on sports but everyone there is like really excited about anteaters. Like they sent me an anteater USB drive in the mail and that makes me want to go there lol

Cons:
-I don’t like LA/Irvine/Southern California in general. I really wanted to go to college somewhere where there are actual seasons and I really am not a fan of the traffic and how spread out everything is
-Irvine is not what I was looking for at all… It’s pretty sleepy and spread out and expensive (I really wanted to go to NYC and Irvine is basically the opposite of that so yeah)
-Most extracurricular activities are centered on campus and I’m worried I might feel trapped
-I’d need a car to go pretty much anywhere
-Social life seems predominantly run by Greek life (hate this)
-Apparently a lot of students commute so the campus is pretty dead on the weekends unless you go to parties (which I’m not interested in at all. Also I’m 16 so I’ll be graduating at 20 so I won’t even be legal to drink by the time I graduate and I’m not comfortable with that)
-The honors program is small, but UCI itself is fairly large (~23,000 undergrads)
-Dorms felt cramped and don’t have air conditioning
-The food that I had on campus was pretty good but off campus options in Irvine are expensive
-I wasn’t excited about the possibility of going there after the honors experience day but I think I’d be fine with going

UCSD - $32,000/year
Pros
-I really like the location
-Dorms are much nicer than UCI’s
-Really strong academics and apparently the best reputation out of my options (but I honestly don’t care that much about reputation)

Cons
-I don’t like the campus as much as UCI’s (nothing special about it, really)
-Campus is spread out
-More undergrads than UCI (~25k?), but 4k in the college that I’m in (Muir) so maybe it wouldn’t be that overwhelming but idk
-I’m iffy about the people that the school attracts… Like I kinda wanna get away from surfers and there are a lot of people with that vibe at UCSD (obviously not everyone but it was definitely noticeable at Triton Day)
-Overall cost of attendance there is higher than UCI’s
-Too much school spirit/sporty and it seems like social life is based on that
-Not in San Diego

I think I’ve pretty much crossed off UCSD at this point; I can’t justify choosing it over UCI with CHP

Drexel - $40,000/year
Pros
-Honors program benefits
-East coast, so what I really really wanted (far away from here lol but mainly an entirely different experience with completely different people in a new environment)
-Right in Philadelphia
-20 minutes away from my sister
-There’s a cookie truck that hangs out in front of the library until like midnight and the cookies are really good (this is an actual factor for me lol)
-Co-op means that I’d have work experience in my field by the time that I graduate (I’m currently in the 5 year 3 co-op program but if I went here I think I’d switch to the 4 year program with 1 co-op because I’d rather not spend 5 years just getting a bachelors bc it’s expensive and I want to go to grad school)
-Actual seasons

Cons
-Philadelphia to some extent (it isn’t as vibrant/hip as San Francisco or NYC + a bit off campus it gets kinda sketch)
-I’ve read some pretty negative things about the school and the administration
-High cost of living
-Generally unremarkable campus (+ I don’t like the architecture of the buildings in Philadelphia all that much but that’s really superficial)
-Strong Greek presence
-Dining hall food isn’t that good (Philly food is tho!)
-Not as strong academically as UCI or UCSD
-Cost is above our EFC so I’d have to find somewhere to work during the school year on or near campus in order to pay for it (but apparently the financial aid office is surprisingly generous when it comes to asking for more aid so if I go there I’d do that)

USF - $41,000/year
Pros
-In San Francisco
-Has my favorite location out of all of my options
-Really like the campus (love most of the architecture and there’s a lot of green space considering it’s in SF)
-Smaller student population (~6000) and small class sizes
-Undergraduate focused
-USF has a service-based approach to learning which is really interesting
-I’m a University Scholar there because of the scholarship that I got ($20,000) so I get additional faculty advising and research opportunities
-Dining hall food seems pretty good and the food in San Francisco is amazing
-Not sure if I’ll end up doing it because I’d have to major in Linguistics but they have a 5 year masters, bachelors, and teaching credentials program so I could be an ESL teacher which I would love and it would be a lot cheaper than getting a bachelors and then masters and then credentials. The problem with this is that I want to go to grad school at a different school than where I went to undergrad and I’m not sure that I want to do linguistics
-School isn’t big on sports or Greek life
-I really like fog so I like the weather
-I felt the most comfortable on campus than I did at any of the other schools. I could see myself going here

Cons
-Closer to home than I wanted (only 2 hours away)
-Most expensive option (might have to take out loans in addition to working on campus)
-Weakest academics I guess out of my options. I’m worried I wouldn’t be challenged there

I have to split this into two posts bc it’s too long

2

I’m not really excited about any of these schools and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to transfer somewhere else after a year or two unless I love wherever I go so I feel like I should choose UCI because it’s so much cheaper but I really don’t think I’d be happy there… I think I’m going to commit to USF but idk I don’t feel like it’s worth the extra cost especially with how I have the option to go to UCI for $13k less per year (and the fact that we might have to take out loans for it is a big problem for me – I would hate to have to have my parents take out loans for me to go to USF if I could go to UCI and not have to take out loans to go there, but then there’s the problem of UCI being in Irvine… My parents are fine with taking out a couple thousand in loans though and they actually want me to choose USF so I guess it’s like a personal issue but still) and I don’t want to give up Drexel because that’s my one shot right now to go to the East Coast which is where I really want to go

Also I’m on the waitlist at UCLA and Boston College. I don’t think I’m going to get off of BC’s because I didn’t send a letter of continued interest but if I got off of UCLA’s waitlist I’d for sure go there (and then probably transfer I think but idk) but it’s so unlikely that I’ll be admitted off of the waitlist so I’m trying not to get my hopes up

So yeah I guess just let me know what y’all think I should do because I have no idea. Also I’m sorry that this post is like ridiculously long lol

3

Why would you have to major in linguistics at USF? I don’t get that. I thought it would be the best place to explore different majors. I like this pick because of so easy to get around the city and so many things going on. And a bit more supportive and holistic educational philosophy. Better for someone 16. The MS program is interesting, but you won’t be tied to it. I think UCLA grad school is supposed to be one of the tops in linguistics, but grad linguistics programs vary in focus, so you will want to go to one that has the focus that fits your interests.

I think UCI is a good pick considering honors and price. You would have extra for study abroad and expenses like plane fare if you aren’t stressing yourself and your family financially. You might be able to swing a summer program in NYC. But if you think UCSD might be the better fit for you for 4 years then I would pick that. I think it might be, and the students are not so much surfer types. I don’t think you can count on transferring. Transfers don’t get the kind of financial offers that freshman get. You will be a full payer at privates almost assuredly.

Also for study abroad, at my kid’s college, there were programs the college sponsored but there were volumes more that were preapproved. It was very comprehensive. And if it wasn’t pre approved, then you can ask, if there was some specialty topic. So I hope it works that way other places. Also if you don’t have to pay your university tuition (at some places you do have to pay the full price of your own uni even if your study abroad is cheaper) then you can save money by benefitting from less expensive overseas tuition. I haven’t had a chance to look into UC’s programs but here is a page and you can select your campus and see what is on offer now.
http://uc.eap.ucop.edu/

ps I usually don’t read such a long detailed every-thought-that-is-in-my-head post, but you made it interesting. I’m afraid you do have some very frivolous things mentioned, though.

4

If you truly don’t like any of your choices, I suggest taking a gap year and applying to a new set of schools next year. You can work, volunteer, travel, etc.; just don’t take credit classes or you may not qualify for freshman grants. I think you’re better off being in a school you like than going with the intention of leaving in a year or two.

5

USF is much less good than either UCSB or UCI, it’d be a waste of money to spend so much more (and get into more debt) for it.
UCSB or UCI are your best choices. I’d lean toward UCI for the CHP.
In any case, you should choose your college based on staying there all 4 years because that’s the most likely scenario.
And if you really don’t like your choices, think about working for a year.

6

@BrownParent I wouldn’t have to major in linguistics at USF but I think I would have to if I ended up doing the 5 year dual degree teaching program that they have with the goal of teaching ESL (at least that’s what I got out of reading this http://www.usfca.edu/catalog/enrichments/dueldegree/). I’ll call them on Monday to check, though. And I agree that it is probably my best option for exploring different majors, which is definitely a big plus for it. The other reasons that you gave are why I’m leaning towards it too. I’m not sure what you mean by me not being tied to the grad program, though. UCLA grad school sounds like a good option but I think I’m going to hold off putting a ton of effort into thinking about grad school until after I pick a school for undergrad lol.

Why do you think UCSD would be a better fit for me? I had kind of decided against it because the environment felt too similar to where I live now but if it would be a better fit for me then I’ll consider it more. And I’m trying not to count on transferring; I know that aid for transfers is pretty weak in general so I was thinking that maybe UCI would be the best option if I was to end up transferring because we would save money that could go towards paying for somewhere that I transfer to but like I’m not sure that I’m going to end up transferring because I might really like wherever I end up…

I checked USF’s study abroad website (http://www.usfca.edu/catalog/center/globaleducation/) and it seems like that’s what they do too.

Oh no also it doesn’t look like USF has a linguistics program D: that’s a big problem. Ahhhh what I thought they had that… omg…

Thanks for linking to the UC study abroad website! It’s really helpful. It looks like UCI has a lot more options than USF does when it comes to studying abroad (and also in terms of majors offered as well, but I’m not sure it would be as easy to explore majors at UCI) so there’s another reason to go to UCI…

@austinmshauri and @MYOS1634 I’ve thought about taking a gap year but I’m not sure it would work for me personally. I don’t think I’d be able to handle not taking classes and being a year behind everyone that I know, even if I was volunteering or working. I don’t hate any of my options; I think I can be happy wherever I end up but right now they all have some aspect that I dislike and that has been making it incredibly difficult to decide. And I’m not sure that I’m going to transfer in the end, but I agree that it’s not ideal to go to a school with the intention of transferring out, especially considering how difficult it is to get aid as a transfer and how complicated the whole process is, but idk. MYOS, USF being “much less good” and more expensive are my main problems with it but I think I’d be happier there than I would be at UCI or UCSD. My parents said that they would find a way to pay for USF and that they’re okay with paying for it but I’m really struggling with it being $13k/year more expensive than UCI.

@mom2collegekids you commented on my other thread but I’m going to reply here because I feel like it’s more relevant to this one. USF’s Jesuit approach to education and the focus on the liberal arts and the sciences is a major factor for me but the cost… And I don’t really have a defined career goal (I’m extremely indecisive if that isn’t obvious from this entire thread lol) but I’ve been thinking that teaching ESL would be something that I’d really enjoy doing, so I guess that’s one of the careers that I may end up going into.

So overall UCI is the most practical option but I think I’d be happiest in the environment that USF provides. I’m going to cross off Drexel, I think, because of how much transportation would be and because I didn’t love the campus all that much, but it’s hard to not consider it because of the location and how close it is to my sister.

This is so complicated I’m really sorry everyone lol

7

Can you go back to UCI and see if you could project yourself, imagine you’re a student there?
UCI isn’t just the most practical option - it’s also the one with CHP, which will offer lots of perks, it will accomodate your indecisiveness because it offers lots of majors, and one you could grow to love.
If not, what’s wrong with UCSB?

8

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USF’s Jesuit approach to education and the focus on the liberal arts and the sciences is a major factor for me but the cost…


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Oh, I thought it was affordable. How much do they expect you to pay? how much will your parents pay?

9

@MYOS1634 I was at UCI at the beginning of April for the Honors Experience Day. I couldn’t really see myself being excited about going there. I could go, but I wouldn’t be excited about living in Irvine. I’ve wanted to go to a big city for college throughout this whole process, and visiting confirmed that Irvine wasn’t what I was looking for in terms of location in any way. I don’t even like Southern California that much because the weather is the same year-round, the traffic is horrible, and everything is extremely spread out, so I would need a car to get anywhere (or I would have to take public transportation which isn’t a problem in itself really; my main issue with UCI is that things to do aren’t nearly as accessible as they would be if I went to USF).

My problems with UCSD stem from the size and the location (I didn’t apply to UCSB, btw). UCSD is huge; there are 24,000+ students not counting the graduate students. UCSD is split up into residential colleges and the one I’m in (Muir) has 4,000 undergrads, but there are still 20,000 undergrads on campus. Lower division classes (and this is true at any UC) are huge and I’m not a fan of that; professors are much more accessible at USF because the classes are more like 30-40 people each instead of 200-300. UCSD is in the suburbs and it’s not even in San Diego (it’s in La Jolla). I didn’t really like San Diego that much either. Also, the location reminds me of where I live; I want to be in a completely different environment for college. I’m honestly not sure why I applied to UCSD lol.

@mom2collegekids USF is $41k/year after the $20k scholarship I got. My parents can for sure pay around $35k. They said that they’d find a way to pay for USF and that I shouldn’t let the cost of the school affect which one I choose but how can I not?? We wouldn’t have to take out a crushing amount of loans to go to USF (~$24k max over four years) but I could go to UCI and graduate with no debt. I’m planning on applying for more outside scholarships and working over the summer and during the school year regardless of where I go to school, though, so maybe I’m worrying too much about the cost?? Idk

I’m leaning towards USF over UCI is because it’s in a big city which is what I’ve wanted this whole time, but I can’t bring myself to turn down UCI because of the academic opportunities and how affordable it is…

10

I would really appreciate any help/wisdom/advice/literally anything at this point!! It’s between UCI and USF now. One of my teachers told me to flip a coin for it today because there are so many advantages and disadvantages for each school and I feel like I might end up doing that but idk

11

On one of the other threads, someone mentions flipping a coin. If you are happy with the result, you have your answer. If you decide after seeing the result that you want to go for two out of three, you also have your answer. Maybe you should give that a try and see how you feel. After reading your posts I think you already know in your heart what you want.

12

Go with UCI for these reasons:

  • It is part of the nationally known UC system - higher name recognition than USF which not nearly as well known
  • it is cheaper
  • CHP allows you to go overseas

that said- I would have STRONGLY suggested that you pick UCSD instead of either of the above. It is highly academic, more widely recognized than either UCI or USF, and I think you are giving WAY to much weight to the idea of “some kids” wanting to surf. They wont have much time for that! Coming from Santa Cruz, You will NOT be happy with the hot weather in Irvine.
The weather cant be beat in SD you will have the ocean to cool off in.

13

Hot weather in Irvine? School starts late in Sept when most of the hot weather is over. I don’t think “hot weather” should be an issue.


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USF is $41k/year after the $20k scholarship I got. My parents can for sure pay around $35k. They said that they'd find a way to pay for USF and that I shouldn't let the cost of the school affect which one I choose but how can I not?? We wouldn't have to take out a crushing amount of loans to go to USF (~$24k max over four years) but I could go to UCI and graduate with no debt.

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Well, look over the COA. There may be ways to trim that cost. The COA may be padded. If you were to get a job over the summer, you could earn/save $2k-3k. There may be cheaper dorms or meal plans to select.

Can you copy paste the COA for USF?

14

Here it is from College board

Tuition and fees $42,634

Room and board $13,650

Direct school costs…about $56,000

scholarship...........................$20,000

Net price directly to the school $36,000 <= this is about what your parents said that they’ll pay.

Books and supplies $1,600

Estimated personal expenses $2,600

Transportation expenses $1,200

Estimated Total $61,684

Well, the $1600 for books seems high. With online purchasing or renting books, you should be able to cut that in half.

Travel expenses…how far are you from USF? That seems like an expense that your parents will just absorb.

Personal expenses…$2600…this is where working a summer job will help out.

You can also work a few hours a week while in college. That could also provide some pocket money or book money.

15

What hot weather in Irvine? It has the breeze from BackBay nearby? It’s not Texas.

16

@oneofthosemoms Yeah, I’m strongly considering just flipping a coin at this point lol. I think I’m leaning towards UCI now because of the academic opportunities and how it’s way more affordable, though, but I’m still not sure at all.

@menlopark Yeah, USF is not well known at all. That isn’t like a huge problem for me personally but I do realize that it would look better on a resume to have UCI CHP instead of USF University Scholar. And I just don’t think UCSD is a good match for me. The fact that it felt like it had a beachy vibe was just another thing that I wasn’t a fan of; my biggest problems with it come from the location and the size. I didn’t put much weight on that factor. Like I said earlier, I’ve been wondering why I even applied there in the first place lol.

The sameness of the weather in Irvine is still one of the things I really don’t like about it, but I probably shouldn’t put a whole lot of weight on the weather as a factor either I guess

@mom2collegekids This is the cost of attendance that they gave when they sent out the financial aid email:
Tuition + Fees (12-18 units): $42,634/year
Room + board: $13,650 calculated from double room rate of $9,170 plus $4,480 standard meal plan
Books + supplies: $1,600
Transportation: $1,200
Personal expenses: $2,600
Total: $61,684

I live around 2 hours from USF, so to travel home I would just take Cal Train and my parents would pick me up around 40 mins away from my house

I don’t think that my personal expenses would be that high. Around $200/month seemed like a reasonable budget for me but it could not be given it would be in San Francisco (I’d probably have around the same if I did UCI). I would like to pay for my personal expenses on my own through working during the school year and over the summer and also help pay for tuition or books.

So I guess all that would bring down the cost quite a bit. There’s still the issue of the academics and study abroad programs being much stronger at UCI, though.

17

Well most kids want to go to NYC for college but I’ve known 2 kids who transferred out after one year.
From your posts UCI sounds like a better choice. You might come to appreciate the sameness of weather, it’s better than polar vortex.

18

“What hot weather in Irvine?”
Hello?? the OP is from Santa Cruz, which is just as cool and foggy as San Fransisco 90% of the year…And comparing it to Texas is irrelevant since the discussion is not about colleges in Texas weather, is it? /:slight_smile:
So, yeah, to you it may not be hot, but for a kid used to living near the cool Pacific ocean in N
Calif, it will be a big change.
Add its unfortunately getting hotter in SCalif every year.
dont believe me? look at this- summary of Sept weather in Irvine last year.
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSNA/2014/9/27/MonthlyCalendar.html?req_city=Irvine&req_state=CA&req_statename=&reqdb.zip=92602&reqdb.magic=1&reqdb.wmo=99999
DS has been living in SCal since 2006 and he’s ready to move to a cooler climate.

19

Giving up UCI chp because of sameness of weather and what in the rest of the country is considered desirable California weather doesn’t seem very reasonable to me.

20

Post #17, I have been to Santa Cruz and San Francisco. I don’t care about the weather chart but for normal people UCI is not considered hot. USC is considered hotter. I’ve also been to UCSD, as far as I can tell both UCI and UCSD have similar weather. In fact, the weather difference is not even worth mentioned here.
The Texas comment is meant to be sarcastic.