<p>Hi. First off thank you for taking the time to listen to me and help me. I need more advice than just my parents who think that college is the same as it was when they were in school.</p>
<p>My name is Sebastian, i'm hispanic, a senior in high school, and I live near Sacramento, CA. Currently I am three for three on college admissions but the only two UC's I applied to were CAL and LA so I don't expect to get in. The colleges I have been admitted to are University of San Francisco, SF state and Arizona state. Obviously I know that they aren't the BEST schools, but they were the most practical, the reason I didn't apply to other UC's was that were were going to end up being to expensive for me to go there and I don't want to bury myself in debt unless it's for an amazing school. If I got into CAL or UCLA then obviously I would got there, but for the sake of optimal reality, I will say that I didn't get in.</p>
<p>So that leaves me we USF, SF state and ASU. I won't receive much money from my parents, as they really don't have much to give and they make too much money for me to get any from the government. In terms of scholarships, USF gave me $13,000 per year, which knocks the tuition down to around $26,000. If I were to go there, I would most likely live with a relative right outside the city at a minimal cost, which my parents would cover (around $300-$400 a month i'm guesstimating). ASU gave me an $11,500 scholarship which would bring tuition to in-state level essentially, around $12,000. But since I wouldn't live with family down in AZ, I have to factor in room and board which would be around $9,000.
SF State did not grant me any merit scholarships, at least to my knowledge as they don't have much, but my cost there would $7,000 + living with relative.</p>
<p>So cost wise the breakdown is...
USF- $30,000 living with relative
SF State- $10,000 living with relative
ASU- $22,000 living on campus</p>
<p>I suppose before I go any further I should tell what I plan to do in college. Well i'm a writer, and I want to double major in Marketing and Journalism. As having a full-time marketing job and a part-time journalism job would be ideal so I can make money doing something I enjoy while also pursuing my passion. Currently I am a staff writer over at Justblogbaby.com (you can check that out if you like), a website that coverage news and other related topics regarding the Oakland Raiders, and it gets a relatively good amount of hits so I already have some exposure in the sports writing world.</p>
<p>Things I look for in a school is how strong their programs are, the surrounding areas, internship opportunities, the look and feel of the campus and obviously the cost.</p>
<p>I would get a job to pay for my own personal expenses during the time I am in college, but like I said before, graduating in a pile of debt is not optimal for my future. I currently do have some work experience other than writing, as I have worked for KFC, Hollister and Big Spoon Yogurt before. This summer I will also be interning at my uncle's textile company in Italy. </p>
<p>The breakdown.</p>
<p>Cost:
SF State $
ASU $$
USF $$$</p>
<p>Program strength:
As far as my research has gone shows me that ASU and SF State have really good journalism programs while USF really isn't known for it, but USF and ASU have better marketing programs.</p>
<p>Internships:
Obviously being in San Francisco is a huge plus when it comes to trying to build a successful future as it has everything you could want. Also I have "hook ups" as some local companies that would help me snag a job or internship (My uncle is the sales manager at a Honda dealership, my aunt is a controller at a Mercedes Benz dealership and a family friend is high up there at the Charles Schawb in the financial district of San Francisco. ASU is in Tempe, and I know they have amazing internship opportunities for their journalism students, but I don't need internships for journalism, mostly for marketing.</p>
<p>Surrounding areas and feel:
USF takes the cake in this hands down, i'm in love with the location and the campus in general, it is in the heart of San Francisco in close proximity to everything, it has the best weather in down, top notch facilities and beautiful in every single way. SF state is on the border of SF, with the worst weather in town, although the campus is surrounded with trees and it is still quite pretty. They have a brand new library and wow, it's stellar really, and that's important because I love books and appreciate a fantastic library. The areas near it include a mall, which could provide work if I really needed and shopping on a breeze. ASU is the wild card, because well I hate Arizona weather, it's bloody hot and dry. I'd get used to it though, as the heat here is not much worse, but just more humid. I don't know much about Tempe, but nothing can compare to San Fran. I'm into all kinds of activities, ranging from clubs to rock climbing, are just walking around the city and exploring. But the place that ASU takes the top spot for is that it as the all around "college feel", in that there are frats, great sports, i'd live in a dorm, parties, all that typical college stuff. Although I wouldn't be around much family where as in the bay area I have all my family where I could easily just crash at or come over to eat or something in that nature if I ever needed help somehow.</p>
<p>So that is basically it, i'm really torn and don't know what to do, right now i'm leaning SF State even though it doesn't have the best programs and location and feel, I think it would give me the most bang for my buck. The only thing stopping me from going to USF is the cost, as I am in love with that school. ASU would be super ideal if I lived in Arizona, but it has a nice combination of SF state and USF, but in a less optimal location and less opportunities, but i'd be getting that "college feel". </p>
<p>If you made it this far, thank you for reading and please comment below on your thoughts! Thank you again!</p>