University of Vermont or Irvine Valley College?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pepperdine University
1

Hi guys, I’m a senior in high school and I’ve been stuck with a really hard decision. It would be really nice to hear some of your opinions!

So the situation is, I got into UVM, but as an international student, the tuition there is really expensive… and also, I love the snow, (since we don’t have snow in my country) but I don’t know if I’d really want to settle where it snows for a long period of time. I love the campus and nature there, it’s so different from home, but I’m really scared if I get really homesick. I know they have a good program for biology, and I would love to learn there since they have a lot of internships available.( I want to be a veterinarian) I think the main reason that is stopping me from going there is that I don’t have any relatives or friends that I know living/going there which kinda scares me and that I will be a long way from home. Also, though I love snow, but I’m actually pretty scared of the cold. haha.

For IVC, my aunt lives nearby, so I would be able to stay at her house. Since I visit her almost every summer, I’m pretty familiar with the community. It feels like home, but not at home. (if that makes sense) I feel like if I did have any troubles, at least I have my family to help me. I was thinking that after 2 years of college, my goal is to make it into a UC school, (since I got rejected) I really like Irvine, its a really peaceful place, but I don’t think I can have as much internship experiences in IVC than UVM. (veterinarian purposes) Another thing is that I heard my brother said that for community colleges, they’re not as social as regular universities. I kinda have a shy personality, I’m scared if I will have troubles making new friends since everyone leaves after each class. Also, I’m afraid that after 2 years, I won’t make it into a good school.

It would be really nice if you guys have any opinions on what I should do, I would love to hear it. UVM’s acceptance fee ends on 5/1, which is next week. So if you guys have ANY opinions, please leave it down below! Thanks! :slight_smile:

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It’s very difficult to make friends at a community college even if you’re social and outgoing because most students go to class then go home or to work.
Going to IVC would mean two years with enough cultural differences that it wouldn’t feel like high school, it’d be reassuring (a setting you’re familiar with) however it’d likely be difficult for an introvert to make friends or be involved in the US college experience, you’d be within your family circle.
For this reason I think you should try UVM. It’s a very good university, its’ residential, you’d live on campus and be with all the other freshmen.
In addition, if it doesn’t work out, you can still attend IVC the following year since it’s open enrollment.
That being said, budget matters.
Cc in California is likely to cost 15k2+(602) if UC, (352) if CSU; compare that to Uvt4.
If budget is an issue, then IVC+ CSU would be a fine choice.

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Thank you, it’s really helpful! But I forgot to add in one bit of information.

I’m still debating whether I should major in Biology. I applied as undecided for all of my universities. My parents would love for me to become a veterinarian, but I’m still not sure if that’s the path I want to go down. I feel like if I go to UVM, I am pretty sure I will be going down the path to become a veterinarian, but if I went to IVC, I would still have time to really discover if that is the path I want. Please help me, I’m really confused now!