I was accepted to all four colleges but am very indecisive. My tuition is covered for all schools, however I’d still have to take out loans to cover room and board. If I go to UCR I wouldn’t have to take out loans because I live close by (about 18 minutes away). I live about an hour away from UCI and CSUF. Is it worth taking out loans for all four years to attend UCSB or UCI? Is it hard to commute from an hour away? I hope to go to grad school as well so should I just save money and take out loans for grad school? Which would be my best option?
How much in loans per year? I think it would be hard to commute from an hour away- I did it for a semester and it wasn’t fun. Also, it’s a much different experience living on campus than living at home.
For UCI I’d have to get 5,500 in loans and have my parents take out another 8,000. It would be about the same for UCSB for my first year.
Taking out loans to live on campus isn’t unreasonable.
Commuting an hour away is manageable IMO but is it an hour WITH traffic or an hour WITHOUT traffic?
But what about living on campus at one of those schools for a year or two while you make friends and then live at home afterwards?
Go to UCR and live at home - taking out loans to cover the $10k per year would be a mistake you will regret later in life . Especially if you plan to go to grad school. Save your borrowing capacity for when you need it. Starting out a career with $40k in student loans will hamper your cash-flow significantly crimp your ability to buy a car, rent an apartment and otherwise fend for yourself after you graduate. Since you know you want to go to grad school, you will be starting in an even deeper hole.
Student loans are harder to get rid of than a tattoo. Steer clear if at all possible.
I would go to UCR, 18 minutes is not far and, if your family is flexible in terms of when you need to be home etc, you can join groups in your freshman year to meet people and make friends. I would use the money you’re saving to do study abroad, for example, or for grad school.
If your future job will be enough to pay for it, it’s fine. I would pay more attention to which one would fit you the best!
@ES1999 UCR sounds like the right choice. Especially if you’re considering grad school. Join some clubs get involve so you can have the college experience and meet new friends. Congrats!
Which did you choose? 