<p>The in state vs out of state thing is probably a big difference here too. I don’t know how much CSULB is or isn’t out of state. In state, state schools are a bargain here and part of why people have such a backlash against Stanford, Caltech, USC, Pepperdine, Claremont, etc. - they think everyone who goes there is loaded, which is bunk. My family was in the same situation as CA Dreamin and that’s basically how things are for middle and upper middle class people these days - the wealthy pay for it out of pocket, the poor get subsidies and handouts, and the middle class goes broke paying for it.</p>
<p>Whining aside, USC does offer a ton of merit aid and internal scholarships for continuing students, so be sure to apply for as many of those as you can. Do some research online and find as many outside scholarships as you can for whatever “whats” you are (i.e. gay, Native American, a particular religion, field of study, etc.) as unfortunately a lot of very good scholarships are based upon that lovely notion of identity politics.</p>
<p>As you’re admitted, you might want to talk to some financial aid counselors at USC and also your family’s financial planner as there are undoubtedly plenty of creative ways to finance school. But the big thing for you is to apply for financial aid, fight for as many scholarships as you can (I got one from our local rotary club for $2k a year which covered books and a bit of tuition), and especially apply for aid when your younger sibling is in school.</p>
<p>The only other things that come to mind are that yes, the alumni network is fantastic as it surrounds you with some wonderful, bright, accomplished people all out to do great things and that you hopefully should be able to do summer school as well which will get you out earlier, should you be so inclined. One great source of frustration for me with USC was that financial aid for summer classes was all loans (no grants or scholarships) and thus I just finished part-time and started working. You should be able to cruise through CSULB much more easily as you won’t have to worry about the cost, although if your folks can stretch to pay for USC then the alumni network is an important long term benefit which you definitely won’t get from CSULB, unfortunately.</p>