Any Californians choosing a private school over a UC? Why? Why not?

[hawkeyes]

Hellos to the Californicans! I was wondering, for those who are choosing a private school over a UC, what your story/rationale/struggles are. Obviously finances, but if you'd share how you're thinking through the decision, I'd appreciate it much! Is there anyone who strongly believes that there is no reason in the world (and no school in the US) that a UC should be passed over? Anyone receiving pressure (personal, family, friends) to choose a school that is much more practical, though not the school you loved? Please post here!!!

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[CAbroiler]

i am a CA resident and am going to choose a private school (Harvard) over UCSD. Altho UCSD is an amazing school, my family is in Boston and i feel that i would gain more from the PBL New Pathway system and i like the fact that HMS has only P/F whereas UCSD has H/P/F

 

[Scooby Doo]

If I get into UCI, I will most likely choose another school over it (either Sinai, Columbia, or Pitt). We will have to see....None of the other UC's liked me enough.

 

[Hero]

Being in Cali all my life, I wouldn't mind a change in environment. So much of the USA is yet to be experienced.

 

[matthew0126]

right now i am slated to go to ucsd, the only non-u.c. school that i would have taken over it would be harvard

if ucla is kind to me as well, then i would kiss harvard goodbye.

of course, i didn't even apply to harvard, and fat chance i'd get in there heh. much props to ca-broiler

 

[Aria111]

choosing out of state because i haven't been accepted in state yet !

 

[El Jefe]

Most likely going to USC since all the UC's hate me.

 

[vyc]

haha you said californican. that's a funny typo.
it reminds me of that song californication.

anyway.

i got waitlisted at UCSD and never followed up on it.

while it would have been nice to have a UC acceptance as an option, i think ultimately, i would have chosen a similarly ranked (or higher) private school.

 

[mr.annoying]

I'm from California, and I think we might as well rename this thread to "Who in California is a nutcase?"

 

[hawkeyes]

Thanks for your responses... I'd love to hear more. I, myself, want also to experience something different. But then I suppose for all the money we would save, we could just as well buy a big huge vacation. Plus, no UC liked me except UCI. And I didn't have a good experience during the interview day. Mr. Annoying - did you think we should rename the thread becuase of how incredibly crazy it would be to choose any school over a UC? Any UC?

 

[hawkeyes]

Scooby - I sent you a PM

 

[mr.annoying]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by hawkeyes:
•Mr. Annoying - did you think we should rename the thread becuase of how incredibly crazy it would be to choose any school over a UC? Any UC?•••••Hey hawkeyes,

In my opinion, no school is worth 20 thousand dollars more. UCs have great reputations, so it's not like you're going to some crappy school's in Cali. In the end, you'll get a good education and great residency if you deserve it. Also, the environment in California is really diverse ranging from Northern CA to Southern, so if you want something different you can still get it in Cali. So like I said... nutcases!

 

[hawkeyes]

Mr. Annoying, you're right, in some ways, and I do agree that there is plenty of diversity in Cali. Unfortunately for me, the only school I got into in Cali is 30 minutes from where I live and have lived all my life. So it would not be different. That's not bad, in and of itself, becuase I love Southern Cal, but I do think that it is valid to want to choose differently. It is, after all, perhaps one of the coolest adventures of a lifetime. Just wanted to know what others thought. Still do.

 

[matthew0126]

exactly.
davis: cowtippers (rural)
(#6) sf: crazy tree-hugging, taliban-joining socialists, nyc-wannabe urban city
(#13) la: hollywood glitz, materialism, palm trees, socali life
irvine: clean suburbia
(#20) sd: surf-city

i don't think they are nutcases though; some people just don't enjoy cali and need to get away, in which case, i'd say it's worth the 100k extra (but that's not me!)

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mr.annoying:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by hawkeyes:
•Mr. Annoying - did you think we should rename the thread becuase of how incredibly crazy it would be to choose any school over a UC? Any UC?•••••Hey hawkeyes,

In my opinion, no school is worth 20 thousand dollars more. UCs have great reputations, so it's not like you're going to some crappy school's in Cali. In the end, you'll get a good education and great residency if you deserve it. Also, the environment in California is really diverse ranging from Northern CA to Southern, so if you want something different you can still get it in Cali. So like I said... nutcases!•••••

 

[mr.annoying]

hawkeyes-

I know what you're saying, I'm just jealous that people actually have the choice that's all! Of course there would be situations where it would be better to go elsewhere, but I was just giving my personal opinion. I think you mentioned that you were accepted to UCI, and I think it may be a valid argument to go elsewhere if the other school is decent. I live 20 minutes from UCI, and I can honestly say that I would like a change of scenery as well. I did research at UCI COM, and I think the place looks kinda depressing. However, it's just not worth the price to me, ya know?

 

[Cdc28p]

In my case, I think Harvard is definitely worth the extra money over UCSF or UCLA. I'm willing to carry a greater debt for what I think is a better medical education.

 

[Doctor Wyldstyle]

Hawkeyes..I was literally in the same exact position as you last year, but I found out about my acceptance to UCI after my private non-cali med school acceptance. Anyways, I've lived in southern cali all my life and done just about everything you could do. I've told this story many times and most people probably think I'm crazy choosing a non-top 50 school over UCI, but that's what I felt. Personal message me, and I'll give you my take last year.

Heh heh,
wyldstyle2000 MSI

•••quote:•••Originally posted by hawkeyes:
•Mr. Annoying, you're right, in some ways, and I do agree that there is plenty of diversity in Cali. Unfortunately for me, the only school I got into in Cali is 30 minutes from where I live and have lived all my life. So it would not be different. That's not bad, in and of itself, becuase I love Southern Cal, but I do think that it is valid to want to choose differently. It is, after all, perhaps one of the coolest adventures of a lifetime. Just wanted to know what others thought. Still do.•••••

 

[BlackPuma]

no offense or anything...after reading all these posts..

it looks like the UCs weren't even an option for a lot of pple here, because they rejected you guys instead of the way around

me thinks..we will all end up out of state

 

[Hero]

Shut up watcha, u punk ass piece of crap. I will see YOU in the chat room(not #trivia)

Okay,

Don't forget Duke. If i got into UCD or UCI and Duke, I'd go to Duke. W/ the duke grant, my debt's not gonna be that big of a diff.

 

[BlackPuma]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Hero:
•Shut up watcha, u punk ass piece of crap. I will see YOU in the chat room(not #trivia)

Okay,

Don't forget Duke. If i got into UCD or UCI and Duke, I'd go to Duke. W/ the duke grant, my debt's not gonna be that big of a diff.•••••I've pummeled you each night in triva, why do you make the effort and get humialiated each time
:wink:

some people are just born smarter....accept it...life would be much easier....

 

[lilycat]

I ended up choosing Baylor over UCSD and UCD last year. I didn't really like the location of Davis, and I had some reservations about UCSD but I really enjoyed my visit to Baylor, so at the time, the choice seemed pretty obvious. Plus, Baylor has really low out-of-state tuition so cost didn't seem like that much of a factor. I had spent most of my life in California, and I was pretty sure that I wanted to try and come back to CA for residency, so I thought med school would be my best chance to experience living outside of CA for a while.

 

[hawkeyes]

again, thanks for all your imput. I think 2nd looks will be a good chance to re eval. I really had just awful experiences at my only 2 UC interviews. If I tell you about it, I guarantee you will gasp. However, I have told it so many times to my friends (all of which were quite appalled) that I decided perhaps I should not smear any more fellow students on the chance that it was a terribly off day for them as well. Anyone going to UCI's 2nd look? Mr. Annoying?

 

[mr.annoying]

hawkeyes-

to be honest, i don't even know what a second look weekend is. I see the damn UCI COM campus everyday... so it would probably be a 9812498th look for me.

 

[hawkeyes]

LOL! thanks for being so candid! Check your PM's.

 

[Cambrian]

For me, UC is the only choice I have. I love UCSD but I would like to have more options. I mean the only other private, out-of-state school for me is MCW, and SUNY Upstate. I mean that is so pathetic of a choice. I wish I had the chance to choose between say, Columbia and UCSD (then again, I didn't apply to Columbia because I chickened out).

 

[hawkeyes]

Cambrian, I PM'd you

 

[hawkeyes]

Am I the only person interested in this? Surely there are more Californian's out there with similar issues?! If not, then I'll take the hint. I will leave SDN for a few much needed minutes and *maybe* someone else will find me interesting again. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />

 

[rajneel1]

i didn't have much luck with the UCs when it comes to interview offers. i got waitlisted at one and still haven't heard from another (UCD...what the heck are they up to!). i got into a bunch of private schools out of state. so i am going to attend a private school in Cali which i am very excited about. i think going to a public UC school offers less cushyness than going to a good private school (if it wasn't for the money difference!). so don't be too sad folks!

 

[BlackPuma]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by hawkeyes:
•Am I the only person interested in this? Surely there are more Californian's out there with similar issues?! If not, then I'll take the hint. I will leave SDN for a few much needed minutes and *maybe* someone else will find me interesting again. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" /> •••••i'm in the same boat I love DC....don't worry about it....