<p>I received a full-ride at UCSD as a Jacobs Scholar. I was also accepted at the University of Chicago with 10k in merit aid and 15k in financial aid BEFORE the merit aid was awarded, which may change the financial aid amount.</p>
<p>I've been advised to "negotiate" for more financial aid. On the other hand, I've also heard that this is bad, but everything has been very vague. Is there any way to use my full-ride at UCSD to get more financial aid money at UChicago or other schools? </p>
<p>I'm sorry if the notion of bargaining offends anyone. My family can afford to pay for college in full if needed, so my question is if UChicago is worth the extra cost.</p>
<p>Which school should I choose? Is the prestige of UChicago worth more? How do both of them compare to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford?</p>
<p>My intended major is Computer Science but I'm very likely to switch.</p>
<p>Congrats! My DS was offered the Jacobs Scholarship, too. confusedper also won and we have some questions going on another thread about maintaining the 3.5. That seems very strict? Plus having to respond April 9th instead of May 1st doesn’t give a lot of time to think about it. What college are you in?</p>
<p>If you take the Jacobs, you have to stay in Engineering at UCSD. UCSD is in a nice area, not crime ridden or scary like UChic. Although UCSD is often thought of as dull, UC’s unofficial slogan is “Where fun goes to die” so I’m not sure about that. It’s a difficult decision because UChicago is so highly ranked, 4th now?, right? That’s overall ranking though but on this link, Chic comes in well below SD for grad school computer science but that’s grad school so hard to say (SD-14 vs Chi 35): [Best</a> Computer Science Colleges & Top Computer Science Schools](<a href=“Web Page Under Construction”>Web Page Under Construction)</p>
<p>Without worrying about rankings, UCSD “seems” so much nicer to me-no trouble with overcrowding in the dorms, better weather, lots of perks with the Jacobs, no scary parts near campus. I would be terrified if DS had wanted to go to Chicago! I thought about all that snow and trying to fly home in bad weather and well, all the things moms worry about. He can have his car in SD, parking costs are included, so even if there really is no where to go in the immediate area, there are a LOT of fun things to do in SD and he will have more pocket money from us since we don’t have to pay tuition, etc. Chicago will cost your family a little over $200K with the $10K scholarship vs. FREE at SD. I would call chicago up and politely ask if there is any way they could possible raise the scholarship if you really want to go there and can promise you will go if they give you more. How much more would seal the deal for you? I don’t know if anyone has been successful getting more there but I’m pretty sure you don’t “say” UCSD gave you more as a negotiating tool. Skim the Chic forum from last year and see if anyone was successful in getting more $. I think where you want to work after school is a factor too, maybe small but if your getting internships and doing research, it might be good to figure out where you want to stay after undergrad unless you are planning on grad school too?</p>
<p>I think you will probably have to wait, like DS, until the 28th when the rest of the decisions come out! Did you also interview for Cal Regents and apply for ucla regents? Are you in CA? I would think that would be a really hard school to turn down especially for comp sci but what are you thinking of switching into instead?</p>
<p>fidoprincess - I’d just like to clear a few things up. I currently go to UCSD and all the “UC Social Dead” stereotypes are completely ridiculous. The people that say such things either sit in their room and dont branch out or straight up just don’t go to this school (and therefore don’t know where to look for parties). Its really easy to make friends if you talk to people in your classes (rather than quietly waiting for someone to talk to you) or if you join clubs. If you still need help, just join Greek Life. I’m having the time of my life here, and being an engineering major, my roommates partying so much actually drives me crazy sometimes (hum majors!). We are only a school where “fun goes to die” if you are a hermit and never leave your room or put yourself out there. (BTW i’ve never actually heard our so called unoffical slogan before reading your post).</p>
<p>Just wanted to clear that up. :)</p>
<p>In other aspects I really like UCSD for engineering. A lot of the professors are really friendly and genuinely want to get to know the students and help them succeed. Just my two cents on that ;)</p>
<p>Nitole, thanks for your post. No, no, that is Chicago’s slogan, sorry for the bad typing. I meant that "Although UCSD is often thought of as dull, UC’s (meaning U of CHICAGO’s) unofficial slogan is “Where fun goes to die.” </p>
<p>I have to admit that I never heard UCSD socially dead-lol. I did hear that it is dull though so I really appreciate your opinion. My DS is not into major partying. I don’t think he would fit in UCSB for example, where it is known as a party school. So if you come to UCSD and then visit Isla Vista at UCSB, I think there would be a big difference and can see why some say UCSD is dull. I don’t think all students are looking for the party scene. </p>
<p>I did read that a lot of kids go home over the weekends and then the campus seems really empty. Is that true? We live too far away for DS to come home often.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear you are having a great time. What is your major? I can’t wait to come down and look things over for myself. Thanks again for helping to clear up what I said!</p>
<p>Oh ok, sorry for the confusion. I know of UCSB’s rep and yes, UCSD is nothing like that in the sense that you need to know people to party here, its not like… unavoidable parties everywhere haha As for people on the weekends, I actually stay at my boyfriend’s (off campus) on the weekends because it’s quieter (I live with 5 other girls so its quite frequently ridiculously loud lol) but I’m usually still here at least Saturday for greek events. There is frequently some philanthropic event on the weekend or events for other clubs since its a time when everyone is free. And yeah the campus is a lot quieter than during the week but I kind of like it that way. It’s peaceful. It’s always so crazy during the week that its a nice contrast imo. I know my roommates stay on campus and don’t seem to be bored. (Granted some of them just party the whole weekend). There is plenty to do on the weekends, for example next quarter I’m taking a surfing class! lol I am majoring in Bioengineering: Bioinformatics. And our location cannot be beat so I’m sure you both will fall in love when you come visit! :)</p>
It’s always so crazy during the week that its a nice contrast imo. I know my roommates stay on campus and don’t seem to be bored. (Granted some of them just party the whole weekend). There is plenty to do on the weekends, for example next quarter I’m taking a surfing class! lol I am majoring in Bioengineering: Bioinformatics. And our location cannot be beat so I’m sure you both will fall in love when you come visit! :)</p>