<p>I have lived in Bloomington, Indiana for my entire life but I have always had my mind set on going to college in California. Bloomington is a college town (Indiana University) and truly an awesome place to live, both as a resident and as a student, but I’ve lived here my whole life and would like to experience something new. That said, my parents can’t afford to send me off to any school on the west coast and I don’t expect them to. Going to college in California would mean working my butt off to make ends meet and relying on scholarships and loans until I got my degree and found a job.
I applied to IU as my safety and only in-state school, with no intentions of even considering to attend. However, I’m beginning to realize the practicality of going here and I don’t like how appealing it is, at least financially.
IU is offering me 8000 per year which covers tuition right there. They also accepted me into their School of Journalism and into their Honors College so I am still being considered for more scholarships. I am applying for FAFSA and so going to IU will ultimately be a free education.
If I was pursuing a career that required going to graduate school, I would definitely go to IU for undergrad and save my money for graduate school. However, I am pursuing journalism/communications and I’m not so sure that I need or want to go to graduate school. So is it worth spending money on an undergraduate education in California?
I applied to USC, UCLA, and Pepperdine which all have pretty strong communications departments, at least from what I’ve heard. I’m waiting for admission decisions/scholarship offers, but I know (USC and UCLA especially) they are all great schools and I’m not sure that I would receive as much as I would need.
I get good grades (about 4.44 on a weighted scale, 3.95 unweighted), a 4 on my AP Language & Composition Exam and a 3 on my AP US History Exam, and I got a 2020 on my SAT (1390 for Math/Verbal only). My high school is on a trimester schedule so I am graduating one trimester early. I’m afraid schools will think that I am slacking, but really I am graduating early so that I can work full-time to save up for college.
Mostly, I want to get out of here while I’m in college so that I don’t get stuck living here for the rest of my life (Bloomington is seriously the best place to live, I just hate winter). I think if I go to a college in Cali, I will have a better chance of finding a job out there (and a better chance of NOT being offered a job here).
If anybody has any knowledge of any of these schools, their generosity on financial aid, possible amounts I could receive, anything that would help me out, I would really appreciate it!!! I am too confused and uneducated about real living/learning in California to make a decision on my own. Please share your thoughts! Thanks :)</p>
<p>I can understand staying in-state to save money…but staying in your hometown would really suck. Especially when it seems that you so badly want to move to California. All I can say is follow your heart. I think it would be worth it to make yourself happy. If going to CA is what you want, taking out loans isn’t the end of the world (almost everyone has to take out loans; it’s normal). </p>
<p>However, I would suggest additionally applying to a couple less selective CA schools. That way, if you’re unsatisfied with the aid you get from USC, ULCA, and Pepperdine, you’ll still have a chance at merit scholarships elsewhere. I know that Biola, Mills, Mount St. Mary’s, Redlands, and Vanguard are still taking applications.</p>
<p>USC loves NM students, but you probably won’t qualify. The UCs are not big on finaid for out-of-state students; state taxpayers have a problem with the concept. Pepperdine does not meet 100% of need. Also, look into UoPacific. Vanguard – puhleeze, a Juco is better.</p>
<p>So, to answer your question: No, it is not worth it to spend the money OOS for a public Uni…</p>
<p>I live in Cali and trust me, I wouldn’t go to its UCs. Only go for Cali’s private schools. Personally, I’d pick Pepperdine>USC. However, if they offer little financial aid, I’d just stick to Indiana.</p>
<p>Told ya the UC system ain’t what it’s cracked up to be ;)</p>
<p>(inside joke)</p>
<p>revolcgirl–My D is a year behind you at the same B-ton HS (I know because you said trimesters). She’ll probably be in a very similar situation next year. (GPA is almost identical–she’s not taken her AP exams yet of course. SAT’s are scheduled, but based on PSAT scores she’s likely to have similar stats.) She’s not lived here her entire life though, but long enough it feels like the hometown. She knows downtown and the campus like many B-ton HS students do. </p>
<p>Her fear is that if she attends IU, it will be like HS again. The same friends, etc. I’ve talked to a lot of parents, students, and even professors about what happens with B-ton students when they attend IU. The response is varied. For some it is an extension of HS, and they don’t put themselves out there to make new friends, etc. Others rarely see their HS school friends and find a new “place” for themselves. Like you, she wants to experience something different. My experience as an IU student years ago is that living on campus is very different than living in town. At the very least try to live in the dorms as a freshman. If we didn’t live in B-ton, IU would be her number one choice. </p>
<p>There will also be other opportunities for you to get away. If you maintain good grades there will be internship possibilities. If not that, consider a semester abroad. (It’s not just for language majors!) You won’t be stuck here if that’s not what you want. The journalism program is well respected and job opportunities in other places will be available to you. I run into more people that don’t want to leave and are stuck in jobs for which they are overqualified. </p>
<p>I don’t mean to sound like a parent here, but I am and with that comes years of experience. At 18 California might sound like heaven, but chances are you will change your perspective as you become older. You are considering a profession that doesn’t pay a whole lot immediately. Living in CA is very expensive compared to the midwest. It’s not a bad thing to save the money now. Graduating with a big debt load is NOT easy or fun. (I know this from personal experience.) I believe that the debt can limit your choices rather than expand them after college graduation. Attending school in Cali or Indiana is not a guarantee you’ll receive job offers in either location. </p>
<p>These are the very things we will ask our D to consider if she is in your position next year. Ultimately the decision will be hers though. </p>
<p>If you end up at IU don’t dwell on the “what ifs.” Consider that you’ve made a very wise financial and educational decision for your future. Take advantage of all the university offers. Lots of people would love to be in the position of attending college for “free.”</p>
<p>Attending a great school like U Indiana for virtually nothing is a fantastic situation. It may seem silly, but you could consider living in the dorms, since tuition is paid, to have a more complete college experience. This would enable you to get out of the house and meet other non-local students so it wouldn’t seem like a continuation of high school.</p>
<p>USC and other privates will be more generous with financial aid than UCLA.
IMO, Pepperdine is not worth the money.</p>
<p>To reiterate what other people have said, UCs aren’t really big on financial aid in general, much less for OOS students, so that may or not be a feasible situation given your financial situation. USC would be more likely to give you some kind of scholarship money, but the applicant pool is pretty competitive, so it’s not like it’s a sure thing. (Did you apply before the scholarship deadline, btw?)</p>
<p>So depending on how that goes, I would say go to CA if you can, but from what I’ve heard, IU is not too shabby (especially with tuition covered). Obviously it would make you stay in your hometown, but as a CA resident and UC applicant, UCs are not as glamorous as they are made out to be. Also, people always say that USC is in kind of a “ghetto” neighborhood (which is somewhat true, though gettung better). </p>
<p>All in all, while the allure of California may be strong, I don’t think it’s worth putting yourself and your family in debt. </p>
<p>(Ironically, I am a SoCal student trying to get OUT of California.)</p>
<p>You could always attend UCLA for summer school or graduate school, or do a summer internship in LA.</p>
<p>I think you should take a look at Pepperdine if you are really intent on leaving (visit it first!). It’s in a beautiful place but costs you a house… But IU isn’t bad at all. Or Notre Dame.</p>
<p>The UC Schools are ridiculously selective and accept only like 7-10% OOS. It depends on which campus you are applying to as well. </p>
<p>For OOS kids, 2100+ is the min. SAT score for UCLA-UCB. It’s a lot lower for California residents. Also, you have to take the math SAT2 and another SAT2 (i believe 2 are required). These are only minimum requirements; I know people who have been rejected from UCB and UCLA with 2250+.</p>
<p>Hey everyone! Thank you all so much for your help and input. If I do go to IU, I will definitely be staying in the dorms my freshman year, so I know that I’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people. I’m sure the college-life B-town is a lot different from the place I know as my hometown, so it will be interesting to experience that.
Besides getting away, I really want to go to California just because of the weather, if that’s lame enough. But I REALLY hate winter because my favorite things to do involve being outside. I usually get really depressed in the winter time without the sun and I would like to avoid that if at all possible.
For the most part, I have been hearing a lot of good things about Pepperdine, but UCBChemEGrad, I would like to know why you think it is not worth the money. Is it because it is such a small school? How good are the academics compared to IU and other Cali schools? I know Pepperdine is a lot harder to get into, but that is probably more because of its size than anything else. But what would be better, a degree from IU or Pepperdine? I know Pepperdine has a really great study abroad program, but being accepted to Honors at IU, I know I will have a lot more opportunities open to me as well.
For some reason I feel like I will have better chances at being accepted to Pepperdine than to USC, and I think it will all come down to either IU or Pepperdine. I will try to figure out a realistic amount I can afford to take out loans for, and if they don’t give me enough financial aid I will just be happy with my decision to attend IU. But if they do give me a substantial amount, I would like to try to pursue it, that is, if it is worth it.
And I guess that question is still open for debate :P</p>
<p>Indiana Univ. is an excellent school. If you live in the dorms and are in the honors college/program, you will meet many new people. Check with Indiana to determine whether or not your scholarship money will apply to study abroad ( and, if so, try to convince IU that California is a foreign country) so that you can spend time studying in Europe, Asia, etc. at a similiar cost.</p>
<p>To answer your question, I think the reputation and quality of education at Pepperdine is good, but it’s very expensive, and I heard they aren’t as generous with financial aid. From my Californian viewpoint, there are better schools than Pepperdine at cheaper prices. The school is small and there is not a lot of social activity on-campus. Malibu is expensive and there are not a lot of businesses catering specifically to students. It is in a beautiful setting, but can be foggy and cool a lot of times during the year (especially April - June). Pepperdine has a strong alumni network in the So Cal area, so if you wish to settle in So Cal, it will be helpful.</p>
<p>I greatly respect all of the Big Ten schools and think any of those institutions would give a greater value for my money.</p>
<p>If it comes down to IU and Pepperdine, I would choose IU. Pepperdine in my view isn’t worth it. If you got into USC, I would go there…but, it would be a tough decision over IU. Then again, I’m an LA resident, and you’re a Bloomington resident…go with your heart.</p>
<p>Stay in Indiana for school and try to get an internship in California over the summer. I love California, but it’s not perfect, and an internship is perhaps a better way to try it out without giving up the $8K per year.</p>
<p>Can’t believe it’s been a month, but I just want to say thank you to every one who replied, I really do appreciate that people care.
A month ago I was still just looking for any reason to get out of here, but somewhere between then and now I realized how awesome IU really will be for me and that I would be very happy going here. I still hate winter with all of my guts but I guess I can suck it up a little longer. I already have a great job downtown, and would be able to easily pay off anything that I owed and not only be debt-free but probably have a lot saved up by the time I graduate college. I realized how valuable this actually is to me, especially because I’ve lived in a household ridden with debt for my entire life and I don’t want to start my future that way. It’s still not a definite yes to IU, but most likely it will be. I guess I’ll know by April when I will have heard from the schools in California but it’s whatever. I’m graduating high school in less than ONE WEEK!!!</p>
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<p>I live in Cali and trust me, the UCs are great (though perhaps not so much for OOSers). To each his own.</p>
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<p>No, that’s not the acceptance rate. That’s the % attending. The acceptance rate for UCLA’s OOS applicant pool is actually slightly higher than its in-state acceptance rate, though OOS is much more self-selective.</p>
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<p>While I agree that it’s very difficult to get into Berkeley and UCLA OOS, there is no “minimum” SAT score. I know OOS people with below a 2100 get in.</p>
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<p>No, it’s really not. Again, there is no “minimum,” and the SAT standards aren’t drastically different – the average SAT score for Berkeley is about a 2050, and UCLA about a 2010. Notice, though, that this doesn’t mean that overall admissions standards aren’t different. OOS admissions standards are indeed higher, and SAT score do tend to be higher too, but I wouldn’t say that in-state is “much lower.”</p>
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<p>Yes, two are required. But you do not have to take the math SAT II. If you do take a math SAT II, you must take math IIC (math I is not accepted). If you are applying to an engineering major, you are encouraged to take math IIC and another subject test related to your intended major. Otherwise, you can take any two subject tests.</p>
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<p>Don’t forget the a-g requirements, which are what get many OOSers. There’s also a minimum 3.4 GPA for OOSers.</p>
<p>Congrats revolcgirl! Our school’s graduation isn’t until like mid-June.</p>
<p>I think that something will work out for you. While I normally argue the “don’t go just for the money side” side, it seems like IU is the best option from a practical viewpoint. Either way, I’m sure you’ll find something you like.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>aaw, your last post just warmed my heart. i’m glad you’re so happy. i hope it all works out!</p>
<p>GO TO USC. I’d make a choice between USC and Indiana because the connections and network you make at USC will be worth the debt(even though USC is extremely generous with financial aid so you shouldn’t be to worried).</p>
<p>ever look into ASU?</p>