<p>Oh I know the decision is mine to make, but I appreciate hearing other POVs. Often someone on here says something I just hadn’t thought about, or offers a unique perspective. </p>
<p>I think I know what I’m going to do, but I probably won’t finalize my decision until the end of next week- which is my deadline. </p>
<p>Haha I didn’t mean it like don’t post, because I would do the same thing. You want feedback and ideas. I just meant at the end of the day after you process it all, you’re the only one who can make the right decision. :x</p>
<p>I didn’t take offense to what you said @lindyk8 . I knew what you meant :x </p>
<p>I really love the program at my current school, and I really had no intention of transferring, but then UCLA was crazy enough to accept me! It’s really a no lose situation - just 2 different journeys. </p>
<p>If I were in your position, I would not give up a program that I loved, I would not risk my GPA, I would not give up my connections for grad school recommendations, and a job to attend UCLA. Yet, I am not a risk taker, so it would not be a hard decision for me to make. Good Luck!</p>
<p>@2016Candles How old are you?</p>
<p>You can’t ask a woman age [-( </p>
<p>From an older perspective myself, I’m over 40, I just can’t imagine getting my UG from a CSU at this point. We’re not young anymore, there’s no second shots after this. This IS our second shot. I’m giving up a lot myself with doing everything I can to go to UCLA. I gave up my career and a lot of money to help my family in order for me to do this. It’s a personal choice, but for me, money shouldn’t be the factor. There’s plenty of FA options out there. There’s support for people who can’t afford school, so I would suggest exhausting every single one of those options first. It’s 2 years, anyone, and I mean anyone can get through that and not be homeless. Start looking at alternative PT jobs as well.You just have to be more creative. Frankly, I think you’re being draconian about this, and defeatist. </p>
<p>I can tell already, you’re going to have an argument set up for my opinion, because I think you’ve already convinced yourself to stay at the CSU and do grad somewhere prestigious (if you can out of csula), and that’s fine. But I think you’re going to regret it. If you’re anything like me, you’re not going to want to say CSULA when someone asks where you graduated from, especially after doing so in your latter years of life, when the second shot came around and you passed up UCLA.</p>
<p>And I’m not so convinced the prestige of graduate school is more important than UG, I’m not sure how that became fact. Most of my friends got their UG from prestigious unis and then went wherever they could for the graduate work, from online programs to CSU’s and other legitimate programs that offer what they need. I’m going to law school and if I end up at Southwestern, or LMU, I’ll be fine, because I have the knowledge of knowing I busted my arse to get my UG at a prestigious UC. So I can go anywhere I want for law school and still feel confident in what I achieved. I just don’t think you can say that after you graduate from CSULA. I know how that sounds, just being honest.</p>
<p>I know others will completely disagree, I’m just telling you my gut reaction to your post. Good luck in whatever you decide.</p>
<p>@fullload - You’re not wrong on your views. I’m not being a defeatist, but there’s just a lot to figure out in a short period of time. If I continue with UCLA, without a solid plan on how to make it work, that’s foolish. I’m also working with incomplete information from UCLA not knowing if all my units transfer. That’s money and time already spent.</p>
<p>What if I hadn’t been admitted to UCLA? Would my academic life be over? No, of course not. The masters programs pursuing are most concerned with gpa and GRE scores, than with the schools you went to. My gpa will likely be higher staying at a CSU, not to mention I can graduate with Latin honors here, where I can’t at UCLA (lack of UC units).</p>
<p>I love UCLA and of course it’s a top school, but I think sometimes we all get caught up in the brand name. </p>
<p><em>Edit</em> Plus, with small class size, I have solid relationships with professors, because I’m 1/25, rather than 1/120. That will help immensely when I get letters of Rec for grad school.</p>
<p>Like I said, you already made up your mind. Good luck to you, sincerely. :)</p>
<p>Well, the prestige of your GS > UG but that doesn’t mean that UG prestige is completely irrelevant when it comes to things such as employment and whatnot. Is UCLA worth an extra year of school and thousands of dollars? Not too sure.</p>
<p>Aren’t you a Sociology major? I’m pretty sure UCLA has a great Soc program but you likely already know this! </p>
<p>You can still get those LoR’s from your CSU professors even if you go to UCLA so I don’t think that’s a problem.</p>
<p>Can you possibly find another job within the first year at UCLA? If you go to UCLA for UG and USC for GS you’d have some pretty stellar LA ties if you want to stay in the area. </p>
<p>Like you said, I think both scenarios are good options considering your situation and goals so it’s going to be a tough choice. Good luck! </p>
<p>My mind isn’t already made up, but I do think CSUs get a bad rep- I’ve said that even before this conversation. </p>
<p>@zalrons - That’s a good point about the LORs.</p>
<p>CSULA in particular gets a bad rep, but after visiting the campus and speaking with some folks who have gone there, I’m thinking it’s sort of justified. It’s pretty much where all the average students land after they get denied everywhere else. I just couldn’t handle being in that environment anymore than I’d have to. I know it sounds elitist, so what? The word prestige is not over-rated, it’s developed by having the best professors and the best education possible. I have professor friends and they did what we all do, apply to the best and slowly work their way down the list until they land a job. At the top of that list is Stanford, Cal, USC and UCLA, at the bottom, schools like CSULA. It’s just a fact, not trying to belittle the CSU system, just keeping it real.</p>
<p>It’s fine that you made up your mind, but schools get their rep based on wom, professors, cost and education. Also, there’s a vast gap between CSULA and schools like Cal Poly, CSULB and SDSU, so there’s that too. You’re generalizing CSU’s. Cal Poly and CSULB do not have bad reps at all, and in fact are better than some UC’s imho. But CSULA? Come on, not even close.</p>
<p>I know I’m coming off jerkey, I just want to make sure someone is being the devil’s advocate here. Since no one else is calling it what it is, I will.</p>
<p>My CSU is not actually LA, but I am just not trying to give all my info out online. </p>
<p>Ah, ok. 
Thought you were at csula, which sort of makes a big difference to me, in this debate. It’s just crazy to think anyone at csula would turn down a shot at ucla. It’s literally the difference between the worst and best California has to offer. </p>
<p>But alas, do what’s right for you and good luck!</p>
<p>Believe it or not @fullload I really am listening and hearing what you’re saying. I’m stubborn, no question, but I don’t make foolish decisions based on my stubbornness. </p>
<p>More thinking to do… :-w </p>
<p>@2016candles just go to UCLA :)] </p>
<p>Yeah, it does sound like a tough decision and sorry if I came across blunt. When I have hard decisions to make I like a wide variety of opinions, even one’s I don’t like or disagree with. </p>
<p>I learned something here too. I didn’t realize so much prestige was placed on graduate school. I just have a lot of pals who placed the prestige on their UG, not their grad school. I think it was because they all wanted to find the best suited program, which are sometimes unique to smaller, less known institutions. Interesting discussion.</p>
<p>Schools are not one size fits all, and we all have to decide what’s best for ourselves. </p>
<p>@fullload - I appreciate bluntness. My bluntness gets me in trouble daily!</p>
<p>The major factor for me would be giving up a job that is more than just a job, but an actual career.
I feel the prestige of an UG is what gets you in the door. I think for older people it is experience. I am not so sure I agree with fullload that the prestige of UCLA will override a law degree from Southwest. If I were going to go the the best school that I could get into I would definitely make it at the graduate level. Obviously it is preferable to do it at the undergrad and grad level. If you can swing it and be comfortable UCLA is a great choice. I am a bit biased toward CSU only because I see them as the underdogs. There are many reasons why people attend CSU and only sometimes it is because that is the only place they could get in. You would be an example of that. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I know your age @2016Candles and you’re considered young by everyone but an 18 year old. Personally, for me there is no discussion - UCLA. The cal states are what they are. You even said you have enough $$ for one year. A second year, figure out some aid, get a part-time job, take out a small loan. For me there is no question, no matter how cozy it might be now.
And I agree with @fullload, this nit-picking over graduate and UG degrees! WTH? UCLA is a recognized force on all levels. </p>
<p>What does your mom want you to do? </p>