<p>I know it’s easier as a transfer. I already look at the statistics, the one has best shot is 15.7 miles from my house, which is SMC. About the major, engineering only has around 50% admitted rate (computer engineering is like 33%), thats why I think I have to change it to something like Applied Mathematics, whose admitted rate is like 75%</p>
<p>I sent an e-mail to UCSD about the financial issue, this is what they said</p>
<p>“The award we offered you was only for the first year. You will file a new fafsa each year and a new award will be available. We do look at where you will be living and award appropriately. Instead of the money being given to the school for your housing it will go back to the student to pay their rent. However we cover an average amount so if your rent is extremely high you may have to come up with some of your own funding such as working.”</p>
<p>so what u guys think?</p>
<p>Have you considered what happens if you apply to transfer to UCLA after two years in CC, and don’t get accepted? On the positive side, you’ll have saved money by staying in LA, allowing you to live at home. On the negative side, you’ll need to face the challenges of transfer (building a new peer group, possibly easier when you’re a freshman; adjusting to upper-level coursework; etc), and have an idea of what schools you’d be able to transfer to if UCLA turned you down. </p>
<p>If SMC has the best odds for transferring in your chosen major, that’s where you should go if money trumps all. A bonus: you can take surfing classes, something that’s tougher at PCC. 
On the other hand, there may be some benefit to being at PCC, given their proximity to Caltech. I’d encourage you to talk to the administrators at both CCs who work with transfer issues to get the best possible sense of what would work for you. </p>
<p>And though you won’t want to hear it, I’ve got to say: the girlfriend shouldn’t figure into your calculations. If it’s meant to be, it won’t make any difference if you are a few hours away.</p>
<p>If the award is unpredictable, how do I now I can afford it? and what can we do if the amount of money we need to pay is more than we can afford? According to the current estimated award, I still have to work for Federal work-study. Therefore, I’m assuming that I still need to work for work-study during my junior year and senior year. There is no time I can study, do work-study and work for another job at the same time. Any suggenstions?</p>
<p>I think money is the biggest issue at this point. I will go for UCSD if I can afford it. (thank you to all that gives me precious suggestions)</p>
<p>If I were you I would go to UCSD. It is an excellent school with an excellent reputation. Besides, in a few years you can always apply to UCLA for grad school.</p>
<p>I called them, and they said they cannot make any changes at this point, and they already gave me the max amount of gift aid. And no, they cannot tell me if it’s going to be better or worse after my sophomore year.
So…I’m stuck.
Now its the money problem.</p>
<p>If your financial resources are roughly the same for your soph year, the FAFSA award will probably be similar, since it is based upon need. The disclaimer they sent you regarding “average rent” vs. “extremely high rent” is probably due to the fact that UCSD is located near La Jolla which is pricey. </p>
<p>Good luck to you, and if you choose UCSD, I know that you will love San Diego.</p>
<p>Also, work-study for $2800 is a lot. Minus the final week and the first a few weeks, I have to work 10 hours a week at least. 2 hours per day. It will be a big problem to stop me from focusing on my education.</p>
<p>UCSD: taking $6600 loans and $2800 work-study (10 hrs per week)</p>
<p>PCC: competitive, save money, change major</p>
<p>If I go for UCSD, I need to take $6600 loans, which will be added up to like 30k after four years. I don’t know how long takes me to pay it off. And I have to do work-study for $2800, which is 10 hours per week. I am wondering if I can concentrate on my education and work so much at the same time. If I screw up my grades, I guess my gift aid will decrease too.
If I go for PCC, I am not sure if I will risk majoring in competitive field, like computer engineering. Like people said, I have to make sure I will be able to transfer after two years. Major becomes another problem.
Either way has pros and cons. It’s a tough choice.</p>
<p>o_0
good afternoob</p>
<p>Reading your responses it sounds like you really don’t want to go to UCSD at this time. If I were you I’d go to a CC, and then risk the transfer in two years. At best you’ll win your appeal, and end up at UCLA next fall. At worst you’ll end up in some state school in two years. (If you pass your CC classes you are guaranteed some state school, if not a UC.) Most likely you’ll be motivated at the CC and transfer into UCLA in two years.</p>
<p>The problem with UCSD is finances. Doing $2800 work-study and talking $660 0 loans ($2300 unsubsidized) looks really nasty to me.</p>
<p>Go to cc. There are so many costs unforseen. Things always are more expensive than portrayed. If you can’t accept that, don’t go. But, I have to say that in this time of the range of possible college costs, UCSD is a bargain. I’m sort of curious whether you are the student or the parent?</p>
<p>student of course</p>
<p>We have a very good friend whose son is in his senior year at Berkeley. She says the estimated costs tuition/room&board was estimated about $22000/yr. In reality, she says its more like $30,000/yr by the time she pays all his bills. Her son is not really extravagant either. This is a real example.</p>
<p>wow.
It looks scary</p>
<p>Crap!
Uc Berkeley Accepted Me!!!
All Confused Now</p>