<p>I know theres are place for discussing the common app, but I need some UC bound people’s wisdom! I just found out what a b**** the ca is and I need some advice. I feel like giving up, is it really worth it to do all that crap they want?
Also, do I send them my transcripts?
My GPA is 3.86.</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree more. There is a reason I didn’t apply to anywhere except the UCs… too much extra pain. When you think about it, all those schools are so expensive anyways and the UCs seem to be just as good. Why stress over more applications to fill out and more essays to write?</p>
<p>^ Dumbest thing I have ever heard.</p>
<p>“My opinions are all that matters. case closed.” Your right, sorry for stating my opinion <em>rolls eyes</em></p>
<p>IMO, Cal/LA for instate students is a bargain and usually easier to get in as transfers compared to Universities of similar prestige. Filling out the UC application, essays and all, is hard on the mind. It’s tough to then move on to the Common Application which requires even more work when Cal/LA applications are already done. </p>
<p>What say you? (I’m sure your opinion differs greatly since you are gunning for Cornell).</p>
<p>I’m not “gunning” for Cornell. But, I’ll get to that later.</p>
<p>I stand by my saying your post was dumb. So, just because something is too hard, you should just settle for the easy way out? Perhaps you’re a smart person, perhaps you could have gotten into Yale or Stanford, but "no, let’s not try because the common app is BIG AND TERRIFYING. (which it’s really not all that bad.)</p>
<p>Albeit a true bargain for instates, the most “prestigious” schools are actually usually cheaper than the UC’s. My situation: California resident, and Cornell’s fin aid packet was far less expensive then any of the UC’s. Because, well, Cornell would have been basically free. Their generosity is quite honestly astonishing.</p>
<p>(However, I didn’t go.)</p>
<p>I applied to Boston College using the common app and i know it was ridiculously annoying. Tests scores, high school transcripts, letters of rec. It was even more annoying because Boston College was a reach for me and I thought i wouldnt get in but i was just trying anyway. I ended up not getting in ( i applied for spring sem) with a 3.7 but its okay because I probably would have chose a UC over it anyway. </p>
<p>It is worth it because you might want to experience going to a different state for a couple years to experience something new. In 6 months you will hardly remember the few hours you put into the application and you might end up going to the school(s) you are applying to on the C.A.</p>
<p>There is one huge advantage in applying to state school like Cal - you need to submit MINIMUM of information. No need for recommendations, no need for high school transcripts, no need for standardized test scores, no stupid “why me” essays. Pretty much all you need is your CC grades.</p>
<p>Compared to that, common app is a killer. Applying to “prestigious” schools requires tons of legwork: you need to find three professors to get letters of recommendations from. You need to fill out all the forms in multiple copies and color-code everything so that the people writing your recommendations would not confuse / misplace anything. Then you need to write to the deans of students at every college you attended to get them to fill out and sign the college official form in multiple copies and send them ON TIME; same for your high school. Then you need to write multiple essays, since every stupid “prestigious” school wants to be unique and gives different topics. In short, compared to your application to Cal, common app a NIGHTMARE.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies!</p>
<p>RileyJohn is a ■■■■■</p>
<p>Also, besides the cost of tuition, one needs to factor in other costs that are not related to the school; costs that include relocating, clothing, and misc. expenses. If you have the money, go to the better school. However, I would never choose a school that is infinitesimally better for more debt. Too much debt is something that drags you down. Remember, it is not the school that makes one successful, it is the person; a college does not turn a loser into a non-loser; one could easily go to a crappy school and be more successful than an ivy leaguer. However, why not improve your odds ;)</p>
<p>Also, get over the apps being too “hard:” hard is good.</p>
<p>omg, i just applied to a bunch of privates last year and thought the common app was bad. I haven’t even looked at private school apps again for transferring (most of them are due in March right?) but I’m absolutely dreading going through the whole process again.
IMO I’d rather head for a UC right now and maybe aim for an Ivy or other private for my masters because the UCs have a much higher % of transfer students… not to mention theyre cheaper. I’m not getting any fin aid so privates don’t have the extra benefit of good fin aid packages… I’m pretty much just applying to keep my parents happy. And cause I’d die happy if I did get into NYU (though idk if I still want to go there as much as I did in hs)</p>
<p>It’s worth it. As for transcripts… I’d just say send in everything that the school website tells you to send in. Don’t always trust what the CA website tells you to send in because sometimes it can be wrong (i.e. a Secondary School form may not be required, but the website says it is).</p>
<p>No pain, no gain.</p>