ucla or columbia?

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:23 PM

though there is another thread detailing this concern, mine is distinct.

i am currently committed to ucla.
i was recently accepted to columbia college off the wait list.
i am currently being considered for one of the 150-175 open spots at harvard college, off the wait list.

right now, i am trying to make a decision: ucla or columbia

pro's of ucla:
-boyfriend is moving nearby; he is transferring to santa monica college in the hopes of attending ucla in another year. he and i have plans to marry and go to grad school together on the east coast--i, to an ivy; he, to boston college
-part of the alumni scholars association, offering me many benefits such as connections in career field (acting/broadcast journalism), priority registration, priority parking, participation in governing, as well as scholarships
-westwood is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l
-DAILY BRUIN, acclaimed newspaper publication, connections already with staff
-many friends attending ucla
-wonderful facilities and resources
-i feel comfortable there :]

columbia
-ivy league
-great journalism program
-mom wants me to go there; doesn't want me to go to ucla
-graduating top of class at high school; school expects me to go somewhere great like columbia

i am completely open. i just want a happy college experience. and of course i want success.
where should i go?

please help :[

Globalist · 05-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Wow, that's tough when you have the boyfriend in the mix. Also, is money an issue? You'd be attending UCLA as an Alumni Association Scholar and an in-state student vs. a pricey private school in NYC (a very expensive city to live in by the way.) In Columbia's defense, it's an excellent school, and NYC is an amazing city. I also love LA, but sometimes it's good to try different experiences especially for college. Would your boyfriend be willing to move to the East Coast?

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:32 PM

thanks so much for getting back to me.
money is a bit of an issue.
columbia's financial aid office hasn't processed my package yet, but my dad makes less than 100,000 and according to the info on their website, that would mean i get considerable financial aid.
i didn't get a calgrant for ucla, but i have a $2500 scholarship from national merit for whatever school i go to, $6,000 renewable leadership scholarship for ucla, as well as $12,000 scholarship for ucla, payable over 4 years

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:35 PM

btw, it is incredibly tough with my boyfriend in the mix. tearing issue. he and i have been together on and off for 3 years. since the first time we went out (when i was a freshman) to now, as a more mature senior, i can definitely say that our relationship is much much much more stable. in other words, no worries about it being "off" if i go to ucla.
but he can't go to the east coast right now. it's just not possible, money-wise.

Globalist · 05-10-2008, 06:42 PM

When do you have to make a decision? Have you visited Columbia? Personally, I would wait until you hear back from Columbia's Financial Aid office.

How does your boyfriend feel about you possibly moving to NYC? Would he be cool with it or does he really want you to stay in LA?

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:45 PM

i have til friday :[ and i have never visited. what can you tell me about the campus? not to be rude, but i hear its in the ghetto..like usc...
he really wants me to stay in la. it's completely impossible for him to move to nyc :-/

Globalist · 05-10-2008, 06:48 PM

Just read your edit. Hmmm...here's a real personal question. Is he the "love of your life"? I guess that answer is obvious if you plan to marry him, but I just want to make sure it's clear for you. It would suck to lose out on an opportunity to attend a great school especially if you won't get terribly into debt going. But on the other hand, finding a good man can be hard to find (believe me, it took a while), so it comes down to what your priorities are.

Globalist · 05-10-2008, 06:52 PM

The campus is nice - far better than NYU's which is not a campus at all. Yeah, it's near Harlem, but I wouldn't characterize Morningside Heights as the ghetto. Mostly students and families live up there. Besides, all of Manhattan is getting gentrified now, so you can find million dollar apartments in Harlem these days. I know that Columbia is planning to expand its campus, but I don't know if it will be completed by the time you graduate.

rjkofnovi · 05-10-2008, 06:53 PM

UCLA is an excellent school, but then again so is Columbia. They are both in very large cities, but Manhattan is entirely different than Westwood. You really need to go to NY before you make up your mind. Four years is a long time to live in a place that might not be for you. I realize that you can always transfer out of Columbia, but you really should check it out. Btw, I have two cousins from LA who attended Columbia. They loved it. Both are incredibly bright and both had parents who went to UCLA. Another consideration is the fact that NY is very expensive. But i assume you knew that already.

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:54 PM

He is. He is the love of my life. but my parents, my sister, no one else in MY life understands; his friends and family are completely supportive. his mom told us to just get married right now! tho i wouldn't do that, since im just 18, that's just how serious we are and how certain we are we're getting married.

i guess what you're saying (but not saying) is that columbia is the better school, but that i have decide which is a better fit?

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:56 PM

your story about your cousins and their parents is very cool :]
i really do want to visit, but don't know if that's financially possible before friday. also, if ny is very expensive, i don't think i'd be able to fit in there. i'm not one to spend money frequently, let alone considerable amounts.

kylez143 · 05-10-2008, 06:58 PM

hm, i see...well the campus doesn't sound that bad then :]
hopefully i can visit..

rjkofnovi · 05-10-2008, 06:58 PM

Obviously that's why your mother wants you to go to Columbia. Ultimately it's your decision of course. If you do get into Harvard though, you have to go!

Globalist · 05-10-2008, 07:02 PM

No, I wouldn't say that Columbia is necessarily the better school. To some, it's considered more prestigious than UCLA, but at the end of the day, that's not the most important thing. You should go where you'll feel happiest. You'll get a great education at either school. Whichever decision you make, just go with it full force. No regrets.

rjkofnovi · 05-10-2008, 07:06 PM

It seems it's not possible for you to get to NY. How much money do you have to send in to secure your spot at Columbia? If you don't get a large enough package at Columbia, you can bow out gracefully. Or at least use that as an excuse. If Columbia gives you a package that makes it less expensive than UCLA, then look at it as karma. I know you people in California believe in that stuff. j/k :-)