I’m having a hard time choosing my future Any advice would be gladly appreciated!!
Here are my options and some pros/cons: (In no particular order)
UC Riverside:
Has the Creative Writing major I want.
Close to home.
I have a chance at the Honor’s Program which offers first pick of classes and small ones at that.
It’s Riverside and I really want to go somewhere else.
Will I be limiting myself here? I know college is what you make of it, but I can’t help but think rankings and reviews exits for a reason.
Also, I’ve heard that any other major that isn’t a science or business is neglected. Ex: My teacher’s daughter went there as a Poli Sci major and tried to switch but apparently, her adviser never got back to her and she couldn’t change majors (ended up extending her bachelor’s to six years, not four.)
University of Redlands
Again, has the Creative Writing major I want.
Close to home.
Smaller classes, more personal connection with professors for a chance @ good recommendations for Grad school.
Maybe it’s “too small” and there won’t be as much to do there.
Going there on a scholarship basis, so if at any point my grades drop, there goes my money
I want to go to Grad school so I’m looking for the cheapest option as of undergrad studies.
University of Berkeley California
The name. It holds weight for the future. Maybe it will help me get into a specific grad school, who knows.
The English program is supposedly one of the best and the faculty is all well recommended.
Cheapest option as of now.
It’s way farther than Los Angeles (where I was planning on staying). I’m an only child and the distance is kind of holding me back because I love my parents very much.
Some people say it’s extremely cut throat. I would be willing to push myself, but I don’t know how true the reviews are. Would you say IB prepares a student for Cal?
The supposed ‘grade deflation’.
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Any help would be much appreciated!! As of now, I’m leaning more towards Cal, btw.
I would not think twice about going to one of the premiere public universities in the world that is also your cheapest option! You will get a first rate education (grade “deflation” is meaningless–grad schools know how Berkeley grades work!) Your parents will be a short plane ride or a day’s drive away. You should jump on this chance!
If you completed an IB diploma program, you have what it takes to succeed at any college in the country. You know more about time management, setting priorities, and academic writing than many people will learn in their entire lives.
Once you are in college, you will be busy, but with all the ways to keep in touch with your family! You don’t need to feel left out or miss them as much (my kid was on a different continent for over two years and we Skyped weekly).
Cal wouldn’t have accepted you if they didn’t think you could succeed there.
Having said all that…you need to embrace your choice.
Any chance you can visit These schools again before you decide?
Is there a significant difference in net price? Though if UCB is the cheapest option, that is in its favor.
IB tends to be a lot of work, so if you have learned good time management and self motivation skills as a byproduct of going through IB, then you may be more likely to be ready for college in that respect than average.
University of California, Berkeley. By a long shot…you are an adult and need to do things for yourself not your parents. Plus it’s an easy flight from Burbank to Oakland.
BTW, your parents love you very much too. They probably want you to do what is best for your future. A plane ride is nothing in the grand scheme of life. Most of us on this thread have kids who are away at college, but it doesn’t weaken your bond. I just got off the phone with my daughter who is a five hour drive away. The love travels through the ether:-)
But, thank you so much, all of you! @Lindagaf@socaldad2002@menloparkmom@ucbalumnus@thumper1. I think I’ll end up at Cal after all, talked to my parents over a tearful breakfast at IHOP and they support any decisions I take
Any advice would be gladly appreciated!!