I just wanted to let you know that he got off the waitlist for CS today. Thanks for your word of encouragement; your prediction was true.
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Is anyone familiar with the Middle Class Scholarship? My son got off the waitlist for SB and was granted a Middle Class Scholarship ($4,200). I understand what the scholarship is but UC Davis (where he previously SIR’d) did not give him this. Does anyone have any insight as to why one UC granted it and the other did not?
Not an expert but this is what I know.
In the FA package for UCD vs. UCSB, is there a difference in the cost of attendance?
Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school. Award amounts will be based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student’s choice and the following program requirements: other available gift aid that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional or scholarship aid), a self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students), and a parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000. These three factors collectively, are referred to as a students’ “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each student’s award reflecting their costs and available resources.
Also the MCS is not disbursed until Fall and usually the amounts are estimates which are heavily dependent upon the budget so the amounts can change.
Cost of attendance is basically the same (UCD is about $200.00 more that SB). Curious - I think I will call Davis financial aid and ask.
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My daughter go this as well for UC Berkeley and maybe UC Merced, none of the other UCs. We never bothered figuring out the secret login handshake for UC Irvine’s financial aid offer.
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It seems that each of the UCs and CSUs follows its own process for disbursing the MCS. The award amounts usually aren’t finalized until the fall or even the winter because CA first needs to finalize the budget, and determine the number of students who are eligible and ultimately enroll. MCS awards also are adjusted based on other aid/scholarships students receive.
I just think some schools are more comfortable sharing MCS estimates sooner than others. Because the money comes from CA and not the school—assuming your COA is similar at both UCs—I’d think the award (or at least your final COA) will be comparable across both schools.
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@crewser It would be worthwhile to find out what happens to Middle Class Scholarship given this article that mentioned Gov Newsom was proposing to cut California financial aid may shrink as state tackles budget deficit
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Yes, I had previously read an article about him cutting it drastically. The only reason I learned about this scholarship existing was because of the article. We are at the top of the income qualifications so I’m sure it will be cut out for us. Interesting because my daughter went to UCI in 2020 and we didn’t get it.
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Anacapa is known as the most social dorm (easiest to meet new people, make friends etc). I lived in Anacapa my first year and honestly it was a transformative experience, I met so many cool people.
Partying within the dorms is strictly forbidden (and enforced), and is off campus.
Manzi/San Raf is quieter - I live in San Raf right now, but a lot of the freshmen who lived in those dorms complained that it was harder to make friends.
I actually lived in the Anacapa Honors Floor LLC! Even though I’m not in the Honors College or a regents scholar, it was still a great time! Met lots of engineering students (Regents is like mostly engineering) and lots and lots of cool people, while also being a more academically focused environment.
It’s also a way to guarantee Anacapa, because I think they prioritize the LLC applicants when sorting people.
Obviously a double is better than a triple but it was honestly fine (and saved a lot of money compared to a double). The only doubles on campus are in Manzi, FT, San Raf, San Nicolas, San Miguel, etc.
I’d say if I could choose between a triple in Anacapa or Santa Cruz (or santa rosa!) and a double in San Raf, I’d choose Anacapa/Santa Cruz in a heartbeat.
In my experience, the ability to make good friends makes or breaks your entire college experience - I met so many fantastic people while living in Anacapa that I don’t really think I would’ve met in the other dorms. Anacapa is very social!
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As a second year computer engineer, they are a benefit but totally not necessary.
I lived in Scholars Floor in Anacapa and it was great!
Only L&S students are given a chance, Engineering Honors can be applied for the summer after Freshman year
Question - does anyone get admitted to Econ as a major or only as a pre-major? Thank you!
You are admitted as a “pre-major” and then need to complete the Pre-major courses with the required GPA to declare the major.
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Hi! Has anyone’s child taken the math placement exam? If so, do you know if it is proctored, is there a time limit and can a calculator be used. Thanks. Website info is sparse.