<p>Hello, I am a California Community College student and I just applied to UAF (University of Alaska at Fairbanks) as a Electrical Engineering major and intend on double majoring in Math or Physics. I will be a first year transfer and starting as a sophomore. I also have a 3.0, but for a UC (university of California) I have a 3.2 transferable GPA which garuntee’s me a spot at a few of the UC’s which are much much better than UAF. I am interested in going to UAF because it is a huge adventure school and I should be able to get a ton of interesting research opportunities. Also, I just want to do something way different, I enjoy the cold and would really love ( I think) to go study for a few years in Alaska as undergrad.
Any thoughts?</p>
<p>The only risk is that you will go insane. </p>
<p>I just mean from an academic standpoint, I would like to go on and get my Phd, is this such a bad idea>?</p>
<p>College is not only about academics, it’s also about the overall experience. Alaska is going to be a HUGE culture shock, so you need to think long, hard, and honestly about whether you really want to spend 3 years there. If you’re sure you’ll like living there, I personally don’t thing there’s anything wrong with choosing a lower ranked school that can offer other benefits to you. </p>
<p>I am interested in that HUGE culture shock you speak of. I have lived here in California my whole life and would like to experience something totally new. I am also financially secure at all so Alaska is cheaper tuition wise. THis prevents me (money) from going to a whole new country, but I would if I could.</p>
<p>Okay, well maybe it will be a good thing for you then. Go with your heart and do really well, that way you can get into a great graduate program… 
</p>
<p>It sounds like you thought it out and it seems like a fun adventure with a lot of unique possibilities. I say go for it. Say hi to Sarah (not that I want to say hi to her).</p>
<p>Go for it! You only live once!</p>
<p>I think it is a great idea. California school are no longer as good as they were, but the get more and more expensive each year. You will also save a lot of money. </p>
<p>I live in Alaska and am considering attending UAF for engineering. UAA engineering isn’t a bad option either, but UAF engineering has been around longer and is more highly regarded (the merit scholarships are great too). UAF engineering has around a 98% job placement rate upon graduation and Alaska engineering graduates have priority for pretty much all of the engineering jobs which is nice 
Also, Fairbanks isn’t a bad place to live. It’s not as big as Anchorage, but you’ll still find big chain stores (Walmart, Fred Meyer, Lowes, Home Depot, etc). Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about anything, I’ve lived in different areas around the state. </p>
<p>P.S. Working on Poker Flat sounds super fun
P.P.S. Fairbanks does get insanely cold in the winter - think negative 40F!! 
it’s pretty intense</p>
<p>@TheKracken just make sure that Alaska is what you want… even-through you will get a better education at a mid-tier UC, going to Alaska can be an opportunity of a lifetime… if you decide to return to sunny California you can always attend a UC for Grad School… plus being UAF gives you a unique kind of diversity.</p>
<p>@Dagoberto makes some good points!</p>