Some advice needed

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If I were to make it miraculously, I would most likely need residency after a couple of years due to the cost. It's illicit, but everyone does it right?
Nothing wrong with a 16 year old with tremendous aspirations I hope

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<p>If you want residency then you need to move out here for years, go to community college, and cut yourself off from your parents in every way/shape/form when it comes to finances. Don't have them claim you on their taxes, don't take any $$ from them. I tried to do this but still got $$ from my parents and UCLA didn't count me as a resident because, when I turned in MY tax earnings, it showed there was no way I could have supported myself on what I was making w/o help from my parents. Help from parents = no residency.</p>

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GO to Comm College in California for 2 years if money is really an issue. I have pretty good stats, story, and a very low family income and I'm still taking out 15k/yr in loans. Over 4 years that's 60k, but if you go to community college for 2 years, such as myself, you can cut it down to 30k for 4 years, which isn't all that bad.</p>

<p>If you want residency then you need to move out here for years, go to community college, and cut yourself off from your parents in every way/shape/form when it comes to finances... Help from parents = no residency.

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In other words, is it imperative that you attend the University of California? If you're worried about finances, OOS UCLA definitely isn't the best choice. If you have good enough stats to get into OOS UCLA you can probably get into similarly ranked schools with better financial aid packages.
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Oh well, I'm only a sophomore so we'll see it doesn't hurt to apply though.

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A lot changes between now and when you apply your senior year. For now, I wouldn't stress about it too much. Keep in mind though, residency is very difficult to attain. You essentially have to show yourself to be 'financially independent' for two years. It's almost possible for me to do it so I'm trying to get out of here ASAP.</p>

<p>Community colleges are good. My mother went to one for two years and received a full scholarship to Mills College. I know people who have gone to community colleges and got into UCB and UCLA.</p>

<p>It's a bit silly to go from one state to another to attend their community college (paying OOS fees by the way) in hopes of gaining residency in order to go to the University of California. Lax's situation is more nuanced however. I digress... </p>

<p>^All of this effort is definitely not worth it. </p>

<p>You can get into a better school (financially) if you can get into UCLA OOS.</p>

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It's almost possible for me to do it so I'm trying to get out of here ASAP.

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<p>UC! :rolleyes:</p>

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You can get into a better school (financially) if you can get into UCLA OOS.

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<p>Really? Because when I was originally qualified as <em>in state</em> I was set to pay $300/quarter to go to UCLA. Housing included....and my stats weren't that great. If finances are really a concern I'd suggest you go to your own state school.</p>

<p>By that I mean, look at the USNWR Top 25 (criticisms aside) and look where UCLA ranks. Schools around the 20's have similar stats. Private schools that will offer you better or equally terrible financial aid packages. </p>

<p>Your stats weren't that great? You weren't the typical applicant, Lax. For one thing, you transferred a couple of times and applied from a CCC - applying as a transfer OOS is one thing. Applying from CCC is another (you mentioned that you were temporarily in-state as well!).
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UC! :rolleyes:

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I'm golden right now. I ain't leaving.</p>