Should I apply or not?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm thinking of applying to UC Irvine for criminology, and I'm an out of state applicant from Texas. I'm also going to apply to UT Austin, UT Dallas, University of Houston, Florida State, and University of Florida. </p>

<p>If I apply to UC Irvine, taking subject tests would really supplement my application, but at the same time, UC Irvine would be the ONLY school I would take those subject tests for. None of the other schools I'm applying to ask to see subject test scores. Both Florida schools I'm going to are cheaper than UC Irvine (especially Florida State), but UC Irvine still has the best criminology program on my list. I also like the fact that UC Irvine is near the beach; not the most important thing, but you should like your campus, right?</p>

<p>I also don't know how much financial aid UC Irvine gives out to out-of-staters. Without aid, it would be like $50K a year, wouldn't it? Surely I'd get a good education but I think that's paying too much, compared to the other schools I'm going for. I'm also aware that California has a SUPER high cost of living -- would I somehow regret choosing a California school because of that? Texas is pretty affordable in terms of cost of living.</p>

<p>So what do y'all think? :( I'm torn between wanting to apply so I can have UC Irvine as an option, or not applying and not having to take subject tests. All my subject tests would be taken for the first and only time in November because I didn't know about those until the end of this summer. </p>

<p>Here are my stats, btw: </p>

<p>I have a 3.56 unweighted GPA, and a 4.39 weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale, and am in the top 16% of my class as of now. I got an 1820 (600 reading, 630 math, 590 writing) on my SAT and will retake it this October...hopefully I'll crack a 2000 or something close to that.</p>

<p>I was the principal in my school's band and symphony orchestra for two years until my parents made me quit, am in NHS, FNHS, and have a few other activities. I've gotten a good amount of awards and honors from flute/band related things, too.</p>

2

<p>This doesn’t answer your question, but UT-Austin doesn’t have any kind of degree in criminal justice, and UH only offers criminology at the Clear Lake campus. If you’re looking at Texas schools, also consider Texas State in San Marcos – they’ve been building their criminal justice program for years, and they might be the best program in Texas.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. :slight_smile: I’m aware that UT and U of H don’t have criminology programs; U of H is my safety and if I were to get into UT Austin, I’d go in for social work and would probably change my major to accounting after a year, so I could potentially pursue a job in financial fraud after getting a graduate degree of criminology somewhere else!</p>

4

<p>$50K a year seems too much for a degree in criminal justice. UCI is a wonderful school with very strong science departments and a strong school of education. Think about where you want to live and work - and what a realistic salary range might be.</p>

5

<p>^ Come on man if the OP enjoys CJ, as he/she (I think he) clearly does, then he should pursue any career or degree he wants.</p>

6

<p>Thanks moonman676. :slight_smile: I do enjoy criminology - I like solving problems and just find it all around interesting. And I think a degree in criminology is pretty versatile!</p>