<p>Is 40,000 dollars a year for UCLA really worth it (I'm from NY)? Mainly I am concerned about the academics. </p>
<p>In other regards, I know I'll have a blast at UCLA. There's tons of things to do on and off campus. The weather's great. There's UCLA basketball and football. However, I understand that first and foremost my reason for attending college is to get a good education. Then the next most important thing is the college experience (growing as a person) which I'm sure UCLA will provide.</p>
<p>I also got into University of Michigan, UNCCH, UVa, Carnegie Mellon, UCB.</p>
<p>Well my parents are paying for my tuition. We aren’t the wealthiest family but I’m sure they can pay it. The thing I’m worried about is if the money is going to be used wisely. Will 40,000 a year at UCLA give me 40,000 dollars worth of education. Further will a UCLA degree be respected by employers and graduate schools.</p>
<p>Well are of them are roughly the same amount. I didn’t receive much aid from any of those schools. All are about 40,000 dollars a year. I’m out of state for all the publics.</p>
<ol>
<li>What do you plan to study?</li>
<li>Where do you see yourself wanting to live/work after college, initially?</li>
<li>Did you apply to an in-state NY public university that would be cheaper for you?</li>
</ol>
<p>I also have plans to go to graduate school. Again, do graduate schools like students coming from UCLA or any of the other colleges I got accepted to.</p>
<p>In my humble, biased opinion, I think Berkeley or Michigan are better for engineering than UCLA - especially when costs are similar paying full freight. </p>
<p>Did you visit any of your choices?<br>
Do you like UCLA the best?</p>
<p>^ Ok…as an incoming freshman, are you decided on what engineering you want to study? The UCs kind of make it difficult to switch between engineering disciplines. If undecided, Michigan is looking like a great option for you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. The thing is, I really like UCLA. Beyond academics it has all the things I could want in a college. If I stick with electrical engineering at UCLA will I be in good shape for the working world or graduate path?</p>
<p>^ Of course. If your dream is to go to UCLA…go. </p>
<p>I’m just trying to help out with what I think could be a better value.<br>
IMO, Michigan is cool because it’s located in a college town. It would also be cheaper for you to fly back to see family in NY. Also, Michigan tends to attract a larger OOS population than the UCs, and the undeclared engineering at UMich may be an advantage…you can test the waters a bit before deciding majors.</p>
<p>Berkeley is tops for engineering…you have the San Francisco Bay Area…Silicon Valley recruitment… Access to public transportation…you will not need a car…you can get to the airport direct from BART…and, unlike UCLA, our football games are on campus…;)</p>
<p>UCLA definitely has the weather. However, Westwood is not exactly a college town…it’s a rich suburb of Los Angeles…adjacent to all the glitz and glamour of Bel Air/Beverly Hills. LA is also pretty bad for public transportation…you’ll need a car (or a friend with a car) to see the sights of the city.</p>
<p>I completely understand. I know that UCLA is definitely not the best value for engineering but it is sort of my dream school. I just wanted to know if UCLA is worth the 40,000 dollars.</p>