[jia0zi]

I graduated from high school very confidently looking forward to my next four years at a private university. This school was one of my top choices, out of many colleges I applied to. However, I WAS DUMB ENOUGH to not apply for financial aid or any kind of aid because I did not think that the government would offer me any aid due to the fact that my parents own a business and the place that I live.

These past few months have been a plunder and my family is currently in a financial crisis. My mom has asked me to consider attending a community college or see if a UC will still accept me at this time. She says that if I don't want to consider this fact, she will work her butt off to help me pay for college.

Currently, I am fighting to try to find any kind of financial aid that is available AT THIS TIME (since it is too late to apply to FAFSA). Does anyone have any ideas?

If financial aid is not available, I could take up a student loan.

I have also thought about the pros and cons of community college. UC Riverside is currently extending their "SIR" or (submit of intent to register) so that is also another choice for me.

[BTW, I am a pre-med major.]

Community college
Pros
- save A LOT of money
- the possibility of transferring to a very good UC or other schools
- being able to get my core classes out of the way

Cons
- the whole "college experience" such as dorming/cafeteria will be gone
- REexperiencing the college application process ><
- ...living at home....

UC Riverside
Pros
- saves a lot of money compared to the private uni.
- still being able to have the college experience
- competitive bio program (pre-med)

Cons
- not the best college (campus, programs, etc)
- harder to transfer to a better UC compared to a CC


These are all I can think of now. But please, if anyone has any good advice or opinions, feel free to say them!! I would like to see other's perspective in these kind of situation. What school would you choose?

Thank you so much (:

{EDIT}

ooh. the private university is university of san francisco. sorry i didnt clarify that

[charitee]

which private university is it? depending on the private university, you could probably get a lot of financial aid if you explain your situation and what not...

[sayohsin]

that's gonna be a tough one.. you might want to take the path that'll save you money, and save you time.

[felinius]

[BTW, I am a pre-med major.]

Community college
Pros
- save A LOT of money
- the possibility of transferring to a very good UC or other schools
- being able to get my core classes out of the way

Cons
- the whole "college experience" such as dorming/cafeteria will be gone
- REexperiencing the college application process ><
- ...living at home....

UC Riverside
Pros
- saves a lot of money compared to the private uni.
- still being able to have the college experience
- competitive bio program (pre-med)

Cons
- not the best college (campus, programs, etc)
- harder to transfer to a better UC compared to a CC

Pre-med major and you're not thinking about money?! Lol, that is one expensive trip you'll be having in the future. Community college gives you a unique college experience, and there's cafeteria's there too. The application process isn't as bad as going to a university. Regardless, once you transfer you can have the whole "college experience," (but it wasn't that great in my view, haha. ) but think about your situation! Do your best to avoid racking up loans and get through college debt-free.

I would probably say think about going to a CC. It's much cheaper than a UC but allows for more academic freedom. Californian's have it lucky with less than 20$/credit.

[KISSY*]

Yeah, I would suggest to try charitee's advice. Some schools are more understanding and might end up giving you financial aid. Doesn't hurt to try it now, does it?

I wouldn't trade my freshman dorming experience for anything in the world. Too many precious memories.

Are you planning on going to grad school? Maybe you can apply to University of San Francisco then (if they have a med program).

[Childlike Faith]

I would call their financial aid office and explain to them your new situation. Most of the time, schools seem to be really understanding about stuff like that. I think USF's a Jesuit university too, right? Jesuit schools are pretty nice about financial aid, at least in my experience.

In my opinion..., and I'm guessing USF has a pretty high tuition, you should go to a CC and transfer into a university after two years that has a well-known pre-med program or whatever. I'm going to a private Jesuit university next year too, and the tuition is a killer even with grants I received! Sometimes, I really wish I were going to a CC instead and transferring to a UC and saving my parents all the money and worries.

But what I really advise is to call them. Good luck!

[Pink*]

Have you tried talking to the school's financial aid advisor about your situation? Even though the deadline for fafsa has passed, sometimes the school will re-consider your current financial state and help you out.
and also, I think you should ALWAYS apply for FAFSA just in case, even if you think they wouldn't give you any money. It doesn't hurt to try and apply.

[seazor]

Jia0zi, you should definitely try to secure a student loan before looking into Community College. Community College has its place; it is a good stepping stone to a four year university. However, pre-med and Community College are two things that don't mix well, much like oil and water. If you want to apply to Med School, you almost NEED to be taking the pre-med requirements at a four year college.

This year, I graduated with an associates at my local Community College. Along the way to my Liberal Arts degree, I took some pre-med prerequisites since I wished to become a doctor at some point in my life. In the period between my grauduation ceremony and the summer classes at my four year college, I met with an advisor who told me to look into retaking the Physics and Chemistry classes I had aced at my Community College. He implied that Medical School Admissions have elitist attitudes, and any prerequisites taken at a Community College would be considered a blight on my application. I ended up registering to retake those classes this fall. I'll probably need to delay my bachelors for a year to complete the requirements.

The big headache I have right now originates from worrying about the the long hard road I am faced with to achieve my goals, especially with the added year making the process so much more painful. Good luck to you and here is to hoping you don't fall into the same situation.

[seazor]

Repost. The 20 character limit is stuipid. Gar

[watcher]

talk to your counselors or the administrative staff about your situation. usually you should be able to work something out, whether it's taking a year off before you start or just signing up for 1 or 2 classes to keep this year affordable. you can work part time while you're in school and help cover costs just for this year. or while you are a student at the school, take classes at community college that are transferable. whatever it is, negotiate with your school. they accepted you for a reason. they want you there, and i'm sure they're willing to help you out.

also, it's never too late to file for financial aid. i've been late once, and the same with my ex. the deadline sounds like a hard date, but some schools still let you apply [maybe not the fafsa though]. they will try to allocated whatever leftover money they have in their private funds, or try to see if they can still grab some out of the government. see what they can offer you and look into different options. you can also try looking for 'emergency' scholarships. those handful that no one claimed and is available at any time.

don't withhold your entry into a good university. stick with it, even if you have to postpone attending for one year. write a letter clearly telling them your case. in most cases, they will understand. whatever you do, keep your 'membership' there. this is very important. best of luck

[xiwang]

Don't give up hope...there's ALWAYS some kind of money out there, even if it is a loan. Definitely go talk to the financial aid office at your school and see if they can do anything for you. You're probably not the only one in this situation.

I found myself facing a similar dilemma last year and I have some regrets now, looking back. I already sent in my intent to enroll at Stanford when I started taking a closer look at financial aid packages I'd received from different colleges and realized Stanford was going to cost me more than I originally thought. They gave me a really sweet fin aid package, but I'd still be paying over $10k out of my pocket, whereas Texas Tech was offering me a full ride thanks to National Merit Finalist status. I ended up picking Texas Tech (and actually pocketed an extra $13k thanks to outside scholarships and everything) but I regret not going to Stanford now. I think of all the missed opportunities and friends and wished I hadn't let money stand in the way. So don't let money be the end all deciding factor...

And as for the premed courses, if you do decide to go CC for a year or two, take core/basics and leave the sciences (chem, physics, bio) for the 4-year-university. Med schools don't like it too much if you take any of the science classes at a CC, unless it's physics - something a Stanford premed advisor told me - or you have a good reason for taking it during the summer (I want to study abroad in China next year and no way I can do that AND apply to med school by end of junior year unless I took physics this summer).

Good luck with your decision =)

[jia0zi]

THANK YOU to everyone that replied with great advice!!
I've actually applied for a great student loan, and was approved!
I will definitely be attending USF this fall.
Thank you again, and I really appreciate all your advice (: