<p>I'm sure most people here have done the whole work while in school thing. I was just wondering if you could share your experience here. As of now I'm having trouble making my decision as to which school I should go to because I'm worried about how well I will be able to balance everything.</p>
<p>Background Info:
Major: Computer Science & Engineering
Schools to Choose from: UCI (40-50 min commute) or CSU Fullerton (15-20 min commute)
- Estimated times include if there is traffic
Job: Requires 32+ hours a week to keep benefits
- Usually work M-F but I'm looking into doing 16 hrs on the weekends (still unsure tho)</p>
<p>In any case I am certainly not new to juggling school and a job. I used to work 25 hours a week while I attended UCSD and I even worked 50+ hours a week when I first started at my local CC. However, I was living on campus when I went to UCSD (hence I didn't have to worry about wasting time driving) and those were my lower division GE classes. I know that when I transfer my courses are going to be upper division and major specific, thus the workload will be far more demanding.</p>
<p>Point being, I want to go to UCI but my aunt says that if I do, I should quit my job (which I cannot afford to do right now) so she's advising me to go with CSU-Fullerton. But, the stubborn part of me wants to go to UCI because their computer science program is really really good and I can't get myself to let it go. Yet at the same time Fullerton isn't a bad school and it's close to my work and it's cheaper and the classes are smaller and and..yea.</p>
<p>After writing all of this I realize I should get over myself and go to Fullerton.</p>
<p>But yea. I still wanna hear how you guys balance out work + school + a social life + raising a family (for some).</p>
<p>If I were you I would go to UCI. A degree from a UC school is much more valued. A longer commute and a few extra thousand $$$ shouldn’t stop you. I plan to go to a UC sschool and to work around 30 hours a week too.</p>
<p>@ chauchau, It’s a really hard decision to make and I can understand where you’re coming from. However, you need to ask yourself a few things first. Do you really need to work while finishing your degree? If you don’t that’s really remarkable however, you might need a weekend job. How much financial aid were you rewarded from both schools? That’s always something to consider however, I’d go with UCI. </p>
<p>I worked two jobs, had no car, and I would take 14-16 units a semester. I found that to be difficult with scheduling, getting to and from work, I even was late for a midterm because my boss was waiting for someone else to come in. I’m not going to bag on what I used to do but, if you can make it work at CC, i’m sure you can pull it off at UCI. As for a social life, it all depends if you know how to balance what’s important and what’s not.</p>
<p>I work full time (40+ hours a week) and manage to go to school. My unit max on the semester system has been about 10-11, which means I’m technically part time. I’ve been able to keep on schedule by taking classes during winter and summer sessions, so I should graduate at the same time as someone at school full time. </p>
<p>I feel like I’ve been forced to adopt great time management skills as a result of this arrangement, that have actually helped me in my classes. I’ve been able to maintain a 3.94 GPA so far, after 47 units, and still have a social life. You can do it!</p>
<p>@empathy - Honestly, I can’t deal with loans. I’m already heavily in debt due to taking out loans my first year and I really do not want to take any more out unless absolutely necessary. The fact that no one can cosign for me makes everything more difficult when dealing with loans.</p>
<p>@balagan - Yea, neither school has released my aid information but that’s what I’m waiting for too. But yes, I do need to work. And given how the economy has been it will be really hard for me to find a new job that is as flexible (schedule wise) as my current job. How much sleep would you say you got a night when you were on the two job + school schedule?</p>
<p>@AMorrison - May I ask what school you currently attend? I was actually thinking of doing the whole less units and work at the same time but if I’m a part-time student it also means I get less fin aid to cover my tuition so I’m wondering if I would be able to handle just taking minimum units for a full time student. </p>
<p>I actually think I have pretty good time management skills as it is since I’ve juggled working and school for a long time now. But I can’t help but worry because computer science is a very…time consuming major. Haha~</p>
<p>In any case, thank you for the help and input. =] I’m going to keep weighing my options and see. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>It’s all about time management. I work 40 hours, go to school full time (still at SMC), gym, and I party every weekend. If I get into UCLA I’m goign to keep the same schedule. I know ppl will think I’m crazy but I think they’re lame because I know for a fact that I can handle it and still be happy =)</p>
<p>@SMCguy I will put money down that you can’t take a full load of class work 40 hours a week at UCLA </p>
<p>UCLA wants you to graduate on time and in order to do that you need ~ 15 units a semester with labs if your a science major you just don’t have that many hour of the day to do it. </p>
<p>@OP If you don’t mind taking on some debt ~20,000 i would say go to UCI and work hard graduate in a year and 1/2 and leave with a UC degree. Job prospect re much better especially for EECS</p>
<p>Something has come up that may be a huge problem. I applied as an instate student. However, I have just found out that UCI may revoke my in state status because my parents do not live here. I’ve lived with my aunt and uncle for four years now, I did my senior year in high school here. However, for tuition purposes I am still considered an OOS student. (Mind you I do have a job and can support myself.) But apparently w/ the budget cuts and all + the difficulty of establishing residency I am going to plan for the worst.</p>
<p>If UCI keeps my IS status then I am fully covered by fafsa.<br>
If UCI makes me an OOS then tuition will be 50K a year. (I’m guessing 30K after fafsa)</p>
<p>As much as I want to go to UCI, that just doesn’t seem worth it. So. Plan B.</p>
<p>CSU Fullerton
or
CSU Long Beach</p>
<p>for CompSci.</p>
<p>I did get into Cal Poly SLO but I can’t commute there so I’m not sure it’s a viable option for me as I would have to quit my job to go there. How big of a gap would you say it is between Cal Poly and the two CSU’s I listed?</p>
<p>For the record, I am a resident here. I live here, work here, pay taxes here, etc. I’m simply not considered an in state student for UC tuition purposes.</p>
<p>You ought to look into appealing that. You live here. You work here. You pay the God forsaken high California taxes… and don’t get benefits? That’s total crap. Illegal immigrants get more help than you (someone who works hard and studies hard as well).</p>
<p>I was born and raised in California, but I can’t wait to leave (After graduation of course ;D)</p>
<p>One of the reasons why CA has among the cheapest Community College tuition in the nation is that they hope that in the long run the graduates will stay and contribute more than it cost to subsidize tuition. </p>