Thank you, @furrydog. I am protective of this kid; ok, of all my kids, but this one in particular. We’re homeschoolers, Christian homeschoolers, to boot, so I have definitely been the overseer of his education. Yet my oldest picked a college 3000+ miles away, and I agree with his choice because it was the absolute best fit. (I still miss him like crazy, but he’s happy) I want to give this son the freedom to move away when he’s ready.
I think I was settling into the idea of So Cal,still with the same concerns-finances and disabilities-when the Penn admission came. Totally threw us for a loop, particularly because it’s so much less expensive than the other choices. I was really bummed about UCI’s costs. It’s more than twice as much. It is worth the debt?
UCSD does have a BA in CS, but that’s not what my son wants. He wants to be creative. He’s enjoying Java and I think will do some more programming (probably take Python in the summer), but really likes animation. He writes stories. He draws characters and game moves. He analyzes games he plays.
I thought the UCI degree would be practical, and I think he was warming to the idea, but darn. The cost is more than I hoped. And they’re being much more difficult about appealing for aid. UCSD was easy-just sent them forms. I have to drive up to UCI and wait to see a f. aid counselor. That makes me concerned that they will not be easy to deal with.
If UCI’s degree was at UCSD, I think the decision would be to stay there…but it’s not.