UCI vs SMU

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm interested in finance, creative writing, journalism, pre-law, philosophy and possibly another language--french/spanish.</p>

<p>UCI: got in as a literary journalism major (i hear their creative writing program is pretty good)
SMU: got in cox as a finance major</p>

<p>Based on my interests, I think I'd fit in SMU more because of its renowned business/law programs. </p>

<p>Money-wise, UCI would be cheaper in the long run because even though I'm an international, I think I start paying instate tuition after 2 years or something? (first year is def. 30,000+). ** Can someone please clarify for me?? thanks
Whereas for SMU, I have a scholarship of about 13,000 per year and its full tuition is 45,000, so I'll be paying 30,000+ for four years.
The thing is, my parents won't have much trouble paying for SMU, but if tuition differs then I'd consider UCI more because I still have a younger sibling. </p>

<p>Prestige/rank-wise, I don't really care. I know SMU's ranked behind UCI, but I still like SMU better, just because I feel I'd have more room to explore my interests. However, because I'm Asian, UCI is relatively more well-known in Asian than SMU. </p>

<p>No doubt, I'll probably get an MBA or higher degree, but for right now I would like to go somwhere where I can explore all my interests. </p>

<p>I welcome any input!!
Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>Go to SMU, it’s an overall much more fun college experience. UCI is largely a commuter school know for a poor social scene. And as an international, you would pay OOS costs throughout college. Current cost is about $45K/yr–a price few out of state are willing to pay for what they get.</p>

3

<p>You are choosing a place to live for four very important years of your life. You have chosen two very different places. The fact that US news ranks one ahead of the other should not be a factor. My son chose SMU over GWU even though GWU is ranked higher. He thought SMU would provide a more traditional college experience on a beautiful campus.</p>

4

<p>If you are international, I don’t see how you can start to pay in-state tuition in two years unless you marry a resident.</p>

<p>I assume you mean UC Irvine by UCI, if you mean something else, disregard.</p>

5

<p>UCI has one of the top english programs in the nation. Given your major this is a NO BRAINER. UCI!</p>

6

<p>I personally think SMU is one of the most underated schools in the country</p>