I’ve been lucky to be admitted to UCSD with my major of Sociology with a focus on social inequity at ERC!! The only downside is that my cost of attendance would be $14000 a year in loans , ending in about 56,000 in debt at the end of four years. This number is extremely high to me and my career goal is to become a family and child social worker where the starting salary typically starts at 29,500 , obviously not enough to cover my loan repayment( at least I think). The reason I’m struggling is because I was also admitted into UCR where my yearly cost would be $1000 ending in under $4000 in debt as I will be commuting. I’m just looking for new perspectives and thoughts on if UCSD is worth being in so much debt, especially if I’m just getting a BA in Sociology?
I was in the same situation as you, I was deciding between UCSD and UCR. I have to pay $29,000 for UCSD, my family was pushing me towards UCR since I live about 15 minutes away and I would be commuting. However I couldnt bear staying in Riverside any longer. When I attended Triton Day earlier this month, I fell in love with UCSD and knew it was the school for me. My family and I talked to the financial offices that day and informed us on the loans available. As for me I plan on taking out student loans as they won’t charge you interest until you graduate. Parent loans charge you interest as soon as you take them out. I also plan to do work study and find a job on campus, I hear if you work as an RA they cover your entire room and board. As for your major and career, I believe you will find several opportunities at UCSD than UCR. I would say go for UCSD, it will be worth it in the long haul.
Do you have to pay 29,000 per year? Or is that your total debt loan after four years?
I would have to pay $29,000 a year they didn’t give me any financial aid since my family income was so high working overtime, hopefully it will be a different story next year
Go to UCR. The debt is not worth it given your degree path.
There is not a whole lot you can do with a BA in sociology.
If you really want to attend UCSD without taking out so much in loans then I would suggest doing your first 2 years at RCC and living at home then transferring to UCSD. Believe me when I say that I understand wanting to get out of Riverside because that is where I grew up. I moved to San Diego for college more than 35 years ago and never left!
I’m going to UCSD, just because of Triton Day so take this with a grain of salt.
I’d say in your case, I wouldn’t go to UCSD. I didn’t note any particularly strong feelings towards UCSD that would suggest you’d be crushed not going to UCSD, and money is important post graduation for a house or a car.
I’m leaning towards going to ucr and then transferring junior year. I know uc to uc transfers are rare and typically discouraged, but many of those around me have said to not take the cc route for the reason of the difficulty of getting the classes one needs and staying on track. At least if I attend ucr I’ll have priority enrollment due to being a recipient of a chancellor award.
I’m mainly using it as a stepping stone to get a masters in social work to become a family and child social worker , if my plans do my change. and since grad school is mainly all loans I definitely think ucr in the long run will be most helpful in me saving money for that.
@“aunt bea” I’m mainly using it as a stepping stone to get a masters in social work to become a family and child social worker , if my plans do not change. and since grad school is mainly all loans I definitely think ucr in the long run will be most helpful in me saving money for that.
I work with a lot of social workers, both professional and grad students. You are going to need to save every penny from now on. Our social workers are overworked and underpaid in San Diego, so I hope you don’t care too much about not having a lucrative career.