Hey guys, I’m going to be a future undergrad student this summer. I ended up narrowing down my selection to UCSD and USC, both of which I’ve been admitted to, but it’s hard to decide and I don’t know what to doooooooi.
For one part, both schools seem to be great for a major in Computer Science, but USC seems to be double the price. Sure it’ll probably have more financial aid, but I feel like I’ll still end up with immense student loans. And I feel like I’ll be able to do as much with a bachelor’s at UCSD as with a bachelor’s at USC. I want to become a video game programmer and maybe some day be in charge of making my own video games.
There’s also the fact that I might want to take my mom with me to live at an apartment outside of university. We’ve been really close and I’d hate to leave her, especially since my three other siblings are all adults like 10 years older than me making their own lives. Plus my dad’s probably going to die sooner or later because of some kidney problems and he refuses to take dyalisis. My mom can barely walk and doesn’t speak English so I think I’d like to take care of her, and the heart of L.A. where USC is at seems too chaotic.
Then there’s also how L.A. sounds more dangerous and overall stressful. I’ve never handled stress that good. I’m not bad at handling it, but I’m just not that good at it. It seems like going to UCSD near the beach would be a cool idea, but then again L.A. offers way more internships and job opportunities. There’s more entertainment and cultural diversity.
Then there’s also how I’m the only one at my school who’s been accepted into USC and my college counselor will probably be pressuring me to go to USC since it’s such a big opportunity that I don’t think anyone has had. Plus I guess she has a bias on that since she went to USC.
I guess what I’m asking for is you guys’ opinion and any insight or corrections that you could give me to help me make this decision. Thanks in advance.
At double the cost, USC should already be out of the question. I’d argue that UCSD is comparable if not better for a complete computer science education, and those saved costs will help you take care of your parents better. I hate to say it, but your counselor is definitely gonna be biased (that USC alumnus pride is pretty strong). UCSD is a target school for CS recruitment, so you’ll have a good chance at getting strong internships and jobs. We don’t have big-time sports like USC, but La Jolla is a lot quieter and safer than South Central LA. It does sound like UCSD ticks a lot more of your boxes at this time.
The main reason you’d choose USC over UCSD is USC has arguably the best CS Games program in the world. Other than that, it seems like UCSD would be more along the lines of what you’re looking for.
@harvardandberkeley I haven’t received the official financial aid offers from USC because there’s still some documents I need to sort out and send. But the net cost after financial aid/grants for UCSD would be like $4500 a year apparently.
Some days ago I got the financial aid offer by USC and it looks like after all the gift aid, I’d just have to pay around $12,000 a year, which is extremely generous. But it’s still more than twice as much as I’d have to pay to go to UCSD. It seems like if I went to USC I would be paying more than UCSD just to get access to the Trojan network and the amazing CS Game Program. Which seems really really good, but at the same time, UCSD does tick a lot more boxes for me. So I think I’m going to UCSD. Thanks for your input guys.
Have you looked into what off campus housing would be for you and your mom? I suspect it is easier to find something nice around UCSD, although not sure if it would cost more around the UCSD area. If you have been admitted to the CS major at UCSD, that’s good. But if not, don’t count on getting in. USC would be the clear favorite in that case.