<p>It was such a hard decision, but I chose CSULB. At Berkeley, all my loans were unsubsidized and my family would have to borrow $10k a year to make Cal happen for me. I would constantly be worried about money, making sure that I pick a career that pays me back, not necessarily because I have a passion in the area. CSULB is literally paying for everything but my food for 4 years. Also, they take all AP’s, so I would probably enter as a sophomore. Parents said they’d pay for my master’s if I go to CSULB. Debt-free, with a master’s at age 23/24 sounds like a win to me. Maybe Berkeley will be in my future if not, the school doesn’t determine my success and happiness. A prestigious school doesn’t mean I’m an automatic success, and CSULB doesn’t mean I’m a failure. I’m going to miss out on some great opportunities that I would’ve had at Berkeley, USC, or Carnegie Mellon but in the end, I am happy with my decision.</p>
<p>Sorry for my lengthy paragraph and thank you to everyone for your input!</p>
<p>Also, just to let everyone know, in order to even apply for the CSULB president’s scholarship, you had to be a valedictorian or national merit scholar. 700 applied, 25 were awarded the scholarship. It’s an honor to be chosen.</p>
@rxnnjcbs I am sure you will be a success at any college. I had to make a similar decision long time ago when I turned down a well known law school and went to a lesser known law school under a full ride free aid. Frankly, I have no idea whether I would have done better or worse, but I did alright. My kid is weighing his options also and is considering applying to lesser known schools which could offer him full rides especially since he’s thinking of getting a Masters degree afterwards. One difference is we can afford to send him to UC Berkeley, but to be honest, I rather use that money to send him to a good graduate school. But we did set aside enough money for our kid in case he decides to go to an expensive “brand” name college. I myself feel that it’s no big deal going to a well-known “brand” name college, but at the same time, I don’t want to force him to NOT attend a “brand” name school, so I am trying to gently persuade him to seriously consider schools which will give him full ride scholarships.
Does a President Scholar get to live at a nicer dorm?
if not, the school doesn’t determine my success and happiness. A prestigious school doesn’t mean I’m an automatic success, and CSULB doesn’t mean I’m a failure. I’m going to miss out on some great opportunities that I would’ve had at Berkeley, USC, or Carnegie Mellon but in the end, I am happy with my decision.</p>