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Ok, I've been accepted to both (and Berkeley too). The problem is money. Irvine is covering all my financial need through the Regents Scholarship. UCLA gave me some grants and a scholarship but also workstudy and a small loan. The difference in money coming out of my pocket is about $2600. Please post opinions on what I should do. ( I won't even consider Berkeley because they gave me like $9000 in loans and work.)

By Thedad (Thedad) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 07:07 pm: Edit

What's your intended major?

How tight are your finances? It's easy for me to stand back and say $2,600 is trivial...which over the long term it is...but not everyone processes it that way.

By Dontknow (Dontknow) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 11:23 pm: Edit

That's the problem--I dontknow. I'm totally and completely utterly udecided/undeclared. Well, money is pretty important. I mean I don't want my parents having to pay for stuff. Maybe I'll pay them back after I graduate. But my dad told me he will support my decision if I want to go to UCLA.

By Ace (Ace) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 11:56 pm: Edit

I have 3 words of wisdom for you: GO TO UCLA!!!

By Erin (Erin) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 12:44 am: Edit

Go to UCLA. The difference in the kind of career you'll be able to have will more than pay off your debts.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 01:28 am: Edit

Erin and Ace said it well...I'd say got to UCLA unless finances are a killer or there's some major you want at Irvine...but since you don't know, that rules that out. Note: I'm prejudiced in favor of UCLA as a rule.

By Ace (Ace) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 01:30 am: Edit

Good call Erin. UCLA is a better school with an awesome reputation. UC Irvine is easy to get into and its a commuter school as only 30% live on compus. Once again I have three more words of wisdom for you: GO TO UCLA!!!

By Chenguo (Chenguo) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 08:15 pm: Edit

Choosing Irvine over UCLA just because of $2600 is a terrible idea. UCLA actually has a much better rep., which will help in finding a job, etc.

By Dontknow (Dontknow) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 12:42 am: Edit

Thanks, for your input, everyone. It's kind of hard for me to make these kind of decisions, as it is for everyone, but I don't even know anybody that's gone to college. Also, at Irvine I basically have $9000 guaranteed a year and only $1000 at UCLA. But I do think UCLA is a better school overall, like you all do. Thanks. Any other comments are more than welcome!

By Dontknow (Dontknow) on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 12:16 am: Edit

I ended up choosing UCLA, in case anyone wanted to know.

By Lindy (Lindy) on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 05:41 pm: Edit

I had the same problem. Berekley, UCLA, USC, and UCI all accepted me. UCI was paying for everything, but I chose UCLA.