Which school should I choose?

College Search & Selection
1

From my initial 17 schools, the rejections and decisions have come in and I have narrowed it down to just three. So seeing as many on here probably have more knowledge then me on these things, I have listed a few pros and cons for each one and would appreciate any input at all that can help me make the final decision.

Intended Major- Business and/or Political Science (Either way I intend to earn a MBA and/or law degree afterwards)

SCHOOL #1: UCSD

Pros:

-Good Political Science Major

-In-state residency cost (I am a CA resident)

-Twin sister will go there to (So having a family member along with me)

-Good research college + High rankings overall

-6 college system and accepted into Eleanor Roosevelt College

Cons:

It’s still a UC (and one of the upper ones) = competitive (So people killing each other for internships)

-Hard to major/minor in STEM programs b/c there are so many who want to

-Hard to switch majors if it isn’t in your college (I.e. College of Letters and Sciences)

SCHOOL #2: University of Arizona (Tuscon)

Pros:

-Basically full ride (only have to pay for food/transportation costs)

-Accepted into their Honors College

-Accepted into their Business program as Freshmen Direct Admit (so I go directly into their upper division business courses w/o need for testing like other students)

-New Honors Building (So sparkling new dorms)

-Easy to double major/take the classes I want

Cons:

-Lower Ranking (reputation not as high as UCSD or UMinn)

-Away from family (They live in CA)

-Known as a more party school (I want to focus on academics)

SCHOOL #3: University of Minnesota at Twin Cities

Pros:

-20k worth of scholarships (so it would cost the same as an UC)

-Accepted into Carlson School of Management (Very good Business school w/ great undergraduate programs)

-Looked at the stats of students who graduated from said business school (Very good average outcomes with most making around 60K their first year)

-Easy to double major/minor/get the classes

Cons:

-VERY FAR FROM HOME

-Totally different weather (I lived in the Midwest when I was young, but still compared to CA…)

SO if you have read this far: I humbly ask for thy help! Thank you!

2

If a MBA or Law school is in your future I would go with the instate choice, Uminn is the top ranked but Carlson carries a 2 k additional tuition and Uminn has raised tuition pretty high the last 4 years, so unless you want a total change of scenery …, If UofA works for you money wise, it might be the best choice as it saves the most money, Law school will be based on your GPA and Lsat so your school will carry less weight.
Where do you see your self being happy

3

“-Known as a more party school (I want to focus on academics)”

Just throw that notion out. All schools are party schools for students who are determined to party, and all schools are no-parties-ever schools for students who are determined to lead a no-parties-ever lifestyle.

Run your numbers here: https://finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml Talk with your family about where the money will come from for UMN or UCSD. Include winter wardrobe for UMN and travel costs for all three.

4

UCSD is a very good college with a lot of opportunities despite its competitiveness