<p>Well, here are my college choices: UCLA or SJSU. Before you go telling me that one school is better than the other, please hear me out. Some facts about me: My desired major is mechanical engineering, I'm hispanic (born in US) from Cali, I'm a female. Here are my understandings/reasons for choosing either school. Please tell me your opinions, I need to decide in about a week...
UCLA: prestigious, I was asked to take part of their CEED program, full college experience (dorms, etc.), I want to go outside of town for school, mech engineering had a 10.8% acceptance rate so it must be good?......BUT I will have to work, get loans, and depend highly on scholarship money to pay for LA (parents can only pay so much). I'm also not the competitive type; I just want to get a good education and good grades at a good school. So would UCLA's curve screw me over due to all the competitive-driven students?
SJSU: far cheaper (roughly 18k/year for me because I live in town), small university means better education?, less competitive than LA, I'll have parent support close by, I already know the town.....BUT I hear that many dislike SJSU because it's crappy and whatnot. It's not exactly a "dream school," you know? I kinda want independence from home as well and I'm not sure if I'll be happy studying here.
So much to consider! Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>I also plan on going to graduate school for a masters!</p>
<p>I would say with an engineering degree, debt will most likely not be a problem in your life if you plan well. Why do you intend on getting a masters?</p>
<p>I don’t think your reasoning is really off, except for your classifying SJSU as a “small university.” SJSU will surely be less competitive, and your being near home will probably help in your adaptability to college. I have to think that there would be high demand for SJSU’s mechanical engineers in Silicon, where the U is located, though if you said that you were studying CS & CE, or EE or even ChemE, I would have said that the chip companies would be lining up for you. You don’t need to convince us; you have already fairly convinced yourself mentally, which should override whatever possible heart matters may be tugging at you to attend UCLA. </p>
<p>Can you compare the costs more fully? There is no reason not to depend on scholarship money if it is readily available, what is the source of yours?. It is a great thing to get out of your usual environment into another area within the protection of a college community.</p>
<p>Clarification on cost and debt would help others understand your situation better.</p>
<p>Also, have you been admitted to your desired major at each school?</p>