<p>UC Davis
UC Irvine
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
Brandeis
University of Vermont
Willamette</p>
<p>I'm also staying on the waitlist at Reed and would attend if admitted. The problem is this: I can go to a UC and have about $50,000 left in my college fund or go to Brandeis and end up with the same amount in loans to pay back. I will most likely go to grad school...I think I'm willing to pay for Reed if I get in, but is it worth it to pay so much money for Brandeis if it's not an absolute top-choice? I got waitlisted and rejected at the other liberal arts colleges I wanted to attend, and I think the UCs are just too gigantic for me. I'm not sure about UVM (haven't visited), and Willamette didn't feel right (although I got an $11,000 merit scholarship).</p>
<p>No school is worth that if it's not a top choice. Cross off Brandeis. Ok, so you're down to UVM and Willamette. Personally, I'd go for Willamette but if it doesn't feel right, then it doesn't feel right. I'm speculating that there may not be too much time to visit Vermont and I think it's not a great idea to go so far without visiting. Unless you're otherwise familiar with the area. Obviously, I'm not your mother, but if you were mine, I'd say accept the seat at Willamette with the intention of blooming where you're planted (after all, you liked something enough to apply and they want you, right?) and if Reed smiles on you, then that's where you're meant to be. Whatever you do, I wish you all happiness and success.</p>
<p>What do you want to study?
Although I think Brandeis is a great school, the UCs you've gotten into have greater strengths than Brandeis in certain fields: UCSD in biology, UCSB in physics, etc... That on top of the lower costs would definitely tip the scale in the UCs' favor. I don't know enough about UVM or Willamette to comment.</p>
<p>Even though I have one at Willamette and she loves it, the first thing I'd do is look at your entire plan, including grad school. If you can go through undergrad with little to no debt, grad school becomes an eaiser swing. Try to remember you make the college experience, not the other way around. You can have as good a time or bad as you want at any of these schools. </p>
<p>As one of mine looks at med school expenses, we're glad is undergrad experience cost him very little. And since he made his experience totally enjoyable, he doesn't feel like he missed out on a thing. </p>
<p>Last point, you mention a surplus of 50k if you go a certain way. So think a bit ahead again.... after grad school. When do you want to buy your first home? Do the math, not just the emotion.</p>
<p>Then UVM may be a good bet for you - if skiing is important to you - like boarding is to my kiddo LOL - well another story...................... what do you plan on studying? That may be a good source to figure out your choice.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what I want to study, but I'm interested in the humanities and social sciences, especially English/creative writing and political science. Can anyone give tips about these programs at the schools I've gotten into?
Also, I just read on another thread that Brandeis is a "rising" school...should I be seriously considering that fact?</p>
<p>Davis is a wonderful true college town and is an easy drive to the ski slopes of Tahoe to the east and the bright lights of the Bay Area to the west. UC Davis provides a terrific education, will set you up excellently for grad school, and will save you all that money.</p>
<p>I did like UC Davis when I visited. Can anyone give me some more details about the English/creative writing opportunities available? It helps to hear the opinions here and not just the ones on the campus tour.</p>
<p>UVM is at the top of my daughter's list and we visited dozens of schools. We were more impressed by their academic presentation than any other-including those at far more "prestigious" schools.</p>
<p>I wish you had time to visit and speak with someone specific to your major. Your decision would be infinitely clearer. Once my daughter and I actually went to department presentations at each of her choices, the colleges very quickly (and often surprisingly) distinguished themselves and dorms, food, campus, blah, blah, blah.... became significantly less important. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I haven't been able to visit most of the schools. Not only are the flights expensive, my dad and I had been having problems and we only recently worked some of them out, which is how he took me to see Reed and Willamette. We're going to look at UCSB this weekend, but there's no way I can get to UVM before next week...</p>
<p>Since you live in California, you really need to take the distance to UVM into consideration. Even though you have had problems with your dad, it is likely you will come home during longer school breaks. Do you want to be so far from home? How does your family feel about the distance? My daughter loves the east coast, but since we live in Asia, my husband limited her choice to the west. Based on her interests, she only applied to 4 colleges, one in CA, 3 in Oregon. She will attend Willamette.</p>
<p>I don't have a problem being that far from home. I figure if I went to school in Oregon, I'd still only come home for Christmas and summer, the way I would if I went to UVM or Brandeis.
I had a moment of clarity earlier and saw myself attending Brandeis. Unfortunately, this is the one school that is really expensive. I'd graduate with at least $20,000 in debt...is it worth it?</p>
<p>Did you get into the Honors College at UVM? 50% of UVM students are from out of state. UVM is trying to destinguish itself as a public IVY. The town of Burlington is a great college town.</p>