Opinions and help...

tedders83
Sat, 09 Jun 2012 22:20:41 +0000

If you’re looking to attain residency (most OOSers are) because you save $20,000 a year in tuition, then it would be a wise idea to go finish high school in CA. (residency is not guaranteed, you’ll have to look at the requirements extensively. Here’s a link to get you started: [UCLA Registrar’s Office: Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes FAQ](http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/faq/residencefaq.htm)). It should be noted that even if they’re broke, OOSers rarely get ANY financial aid, so I’d recommend trying to get residency if you want to attend a UC.

Additionally, if you want to get a head start on adapting to CA culture and lifestyle it would be a good idea to move. You could potentially make friends who will be going to the same college as you (more likely than in AZ).

However, I would advise not moving if it takes a toll your ECs (some schools have better programs than others) or GPA. Paying $20,000 extra a year to go to UCLA as an OOSer (or a different college) is better than having to settle.

And another thing… The “students in the top x percent of their class” thing doesn’t mean campus of your choice. The only guaranteed campus is Merced, so you must apply to any UC you are interested in, and if you don’t get into any of those, you will be offered admission at Merced (regardless of whether you applied there or not). It’s a little misleading.