<p>@UCdrone</p>
<p>Thanks. Hope they will release more details after April.</p>
<p>@ altezza3363</p>
<p>I didn’t even know about the UCI event yesterday, and I’ve been accepted. It looks like I would have known, if I had checked the email message center. Says we should check it often, maybe that’s how we’ll know about the Academic Advising Days.</p>
<p>I was at UCI open house yesterday and it blew me away. I had no idea how amazing this campus is.</p>
<p>1) Student life/involvement: if somebody tell me that the student life at UCI is not as good as the other campuses, I would tell them they are crazy. The students were vibrant, very organized, very involved, and loved to be around one another. They were interactive with the visiting folks. They were dancing together (I thought they were slacking off until they got into a large group and dance in front of the bus tour line). They were very nice people. </p>
<p>2) The studying environment: I went to a 11 am conference at the engineering building. The thing that made me immediately fell in love with the school was the passion of the speaker/engineering instructor there. He was passionate. He was a great speaker. I would love to be in this guy’s class. (I am bad at remembering names but he was an old guy). When I was on the bus tour, the guide pointed out a beautiful library that oversees the campus. They have these little private rooms in the library and each of them is completely exposed to the view of the campus. Wow!</p>
<p>3) Campus: BEAUTIFUL! </p>
<p>4) The people: weren’t there suppose to be a lot of Asians around? The campus was a lot more diverse than I imagined. </p>
<p>Although my top 3 choices remain as UCLA UCB and UCSD, I would not mind at all if I end up at UCI. If UCI gives me more money than the other campuses, it would be really hard to turn it down. I do want to live and learn there.</p>
<p>@ Waterox</p>
<p>What if you get the exact amount of money from UCSD and UCI. I’m in that boat, and I believe UCI has a 43% Asian population.</p>
<p>@UCdrone</p>
<p>So far I got accepted to UCI, UCD, UCR, Cal Poly Pomona. UCR and Pomona are at the bottom of my list so I have not even bother them.</p>
<p>I just accessed my UCI financial aid. So out of the estimated 30.3k that it would cost me this 2013-2014 year, my grants cover 21.3k + work study 1.5k (6.25 hours per week). I have to borrow 7.5k from loans. This is NOT a bad deal at all!</p>
<p>If I was to attend UCD, I would have to borrow 9k and they didn’t offer me work study. Though a normal job would probably pay me a lot more. So hum…</p>
<p>As for UCSD, I have not heard from them but my housing message has changed and I can access the financial aid there. They are asking for my proof of citizenship just like all other schools.</p>
<p>So, I will have to wait for my top 3 schools UCLA UCB UCSD and see but right now UCI is front runner.</p>
<p>Keep me posted on UCSD</p>
<p>I have to agree with what waterox said about student involvement. Everything seemed tone run my the students, the campus tours, the events and all the while everything ran smooth and they were very nice. I think a young person would have a great time here. </p>
<p>Oh and as far as advising, I just came across something on their site that stated appointments would be mailed mid may. Anyone have an idea when we get to register for fall?</p>
<p>UCI is a front runner for me too. Great campus, student life, and they treat their Vets awesome. Still waiting on UCLA and CAL, but UCI is looking pretty good right about now!</p>
<p>you guys are all making me jealous now</p>
<p>^^ Don’t worry. The deadline for all decisions is fast approaching. You will get in.</p>
<p>haha im not sure about that man my gpa is pretty low, although thats because its only determined by like 26 units hahaha</p>
<p>Is there generally large differences in aid packages offered between UC’s? It seems they would all be pretty comparable to each other.</p>
<p>UCI is giving me this odd $300 grant and 1k federal Perkins loan exclusively from the school so grants and loans seems to differ a little bit from school to school.</p>
<p>@ Waterox I figured there would be small differences but I cant imagine drastic financial aid differences between say UCI and UCLA. I am not basing that on any fact, I am just speculating.</p>
<p>@ UCBoundVet: Financial aid packages do vary. I’m not sure exactly why but I figure maybe endowments and popularity/enrollment numbers at each campus do play a role in the amount you get. I applied to 12 schools last year and I think I remember the lowest and highest financial aid difference among the UC’s to be about 4-5k. UCLA’s financial package was among the lower ones and I remember UCR and UCSC to be among the more generous amounts. </p>
<p>UCLA has more endowment, but also has a larger number of students, so maybe the available aid must be split up among more people. On the other hand, schools like UCR, UCSC have lower numbers of enrollment so maybe they can offer more financial aid. Just a few things to consider =]</p>
<p>@iDizzle that was great info thank you. When I started this whole transfer process I would have 100% said UCLA or bust. After a lot of thinking and a sizable aid offer from UCI I can honestly say I might just be saying Zot Zot.</p>
<p>UCD is giving 19k grants and loans. UCI is giving me 20.3k grants and loans plus 1.5k for work study. Taking other things into consideration, the choice is pretty clear that UCI wins. Man, I want to start my UCLA experience already.</p>
<p>@ UCBoundVet: Your welcome, yes the amount of aid you receive does have to come into consideration. UCLA offered me some of the lowest financial aid, and you really have to consider living expenses here in W. LA. So after you put all of that into consideration, your financial aid package may look even better, or even worse. I have to say that rent here in Westwood is killing me right now. lol. </p>
<p>One of UCI’s biggest pluses for me was the neighborhood. The wide-open streets and nice scenery. Here in LA, the 20 minute walk to the store could take about an hour’s drive depending on time of day. It’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>@ iDizzle Yes, I am aware I group in So. Cal my whole life. I own a home and have a family so I would be commuting every day which is another reason UCI is looking promising. All practical decisions point to UCI. However, how do you say no to UCLA if offered a spot?? haha</p>
<p>@ Yeah sometimes practicality is the best way to go. I grew up in the suburbs of so cal too so being in LA is pretty nerve racking. Sirens and cars flying by your window at 3-4AM? You get used to it …eventually. LOL.</p>
<p>Yes it was hard to say no to UCLA. I had a tough choice to make too. Either attend any of the other campuses for my 1st choice major or attend UCLA for my 2nd choice major. I am still glad I chose LA though. I can’t speak for the other schools but from the standpoint of career advancement, UCLA has soooo many connections and opportunities. </p>
<p>Good luck on your decision! =]</p>
<p><em>edit</em> However, I did meet someone last quarter that commuted from Rancho Cucamonga. So if you were to commute, it wouldn’t be all that weird. LOL</p>