[**rainbow**]

So i've been really confused lately. I've always wanted to study in USA and especially at UCLA and i got in and super happy about it. But here's the thing, since I'm not a US citizen and California citizen I'll have to pay so much money for tuition. So my parents will have to pay alot of money for me for four years. I really dont want to be a big big burden to my family but I really really want to go to UCLA. However, I have another choice~ I applied for this government scholarship to study in China (Shanghai- Fudan University) and I got accepted. They're paying for my tuition for 5 years (first year is language program) and paying for dorms, food and giving stipend of 500$ every month. So, I dont know where to go since ucla was my dream college. If you guys were in my shoes, what would you do? where would you study?

[Avex]

Yikes they're both really top schools; first, what are you interested in studying? That will help me possibly answer your question

[V12Juice]

UCLA, take out a loan and pay it off when you graduate.

[dianasaur]

wow that's really a tough one.. i cant help you choose but be honest to yourself, which one do YOU want to go to? where do you see yourself in the next four years of your life? or flip a coin and if you dont like the result, then you'll know your choice.
good luck <3

[polaress]

personally, I would take up the Fudan offer. but its really up to you and what you want to major in.

If you have time and if possible, I suggest you take a trip down to the two colleges and see which one you feel most comfortable in. You don't want to end up in a place where you're not comfortable in and have to spend 4 years of hell.

[f0reveralways]

personally, I would take up the Fudan offer. but its really up to you and what you want to major in.

If you have time and if possible, I suggest you take a trip down to the two colleges and see which one you feel most comfortable in. You don't want to end up in a place where you're not comfortable in and have to spend 4 years of hell.

i second this.


i, too, would take up the Fudan offer to save money. but this is I. not you.

make a list weighing out the pro's and con's. visit both campuses.

~ g`luck

[AngieK]

Hm..I would go with the China offer if I was you.

I'm actually currently experiencing the pains of being an out of state student at a UC so I can honestly say it's really not all that worth it. People tend to think that it's so easy to just take out loans and pay it off later but it really isn't as simple as it seems.

In the end it's really up to you~ We can give you advice but it's your life =) ~ good luck!

[Avex]

I'm actually currently experiencing the pains of being an out of state student at a UC so I can honestly say it's really not all that worth it. People tend to think that it's so easy to just take out loans and pay it off later but it really isn't as simple as it seems.

This statement is especially true if you are going into a field which isn't as "economically stable" (no offense, I respect those in the liberal arts), as lets say, the medical (HUGE LOANS btw for med school), science, engineering, or business.  

[Aeroshark2000]

If i'm not mistaken, typically you only have to pay one year of out-of-state tuition. The 2nd-4th years you can claim in-state residency (because you now live in california) and you can pay the california tuition.

can anyone verify this?

[AngieK]

If i'm not mistaken, typically you only have to pay one year of out-of-state tuition. The 2nd-4th years you can claim in-state residency (because you now live in california) and you can pay the california tuition.

can anyone verify this?

Depends on the University. For UCs this is incorrect. You need at least two years physical presence to apply for residency. Even then you cannot get it unless you are either 24, married to a US resident or have proved financial independence. In order to prove financial independence you need to have filed your own taxes for the previous two years PLUS the current year. On top of that you need to submit a budget sheet indicating that you were able to pay for your tuition, housing, food, transportation all by yourself. If you take out loans then you must qualify for the loans yourself with no cosigners. If you have a cosigner then you are not considered financially independent because you have outside help. There are a lot of other things I'm sure I haven't mentioned yet but these are the big ones.

Petitioning for residency is far more difficult then it seems.

[Hax]

UCLA, take out a loan and pay it off when you graduate.

Unless you are majoring in something that isnt engineering, comp sci, business, etc.

Graduating with a liberal arts degree and four years of out of state tuition loans = suicide.

[Grumpelstiltskin]

Some other stuff to consider(besides the all important money problem), I don't know whether you are a Chinese citizen or not so, nor do I know what your major is...so I can't really over any specific advice...but also consider the fact that a diploma from a good US school may carry more clout than a diploma from a good school in China. While I know Fudan U is a top ten university in China, the connections+schooling you get there may not be as useful as having connections in the US if you plan to stay and work in the U.S. If you plan to live in China, this changes circumstances considerably.

As someone who wrote her thesis about undergraduate education in China+did fieldwork in China+audited Chinese classes, I don't think China's undergraduate education is as rigorous or as high quality as American education at most schools. I don't know whether you've been a part of the Chinese system before, but it is really different from the American system. Most Chinese kids are really burnt out from stressing over college entrance exams and don't try hard in their non-major classes. I can't comment on math+science classes (didn't take any of those) but the history/politics classes were all long 2-3 hour lectures and there was no chances for discussion/expressing your own opinion. If you are not a science/math major of some sort, I honestly think you will have a better experience at UCLA even though it's a big school. But if you happen to be going to Fudan U for a major it's known for or if you plan to live in China for an extended period of time and money is really really tight, then you should seriously consider the Fudan offer.

feel free to pm me if you have more questions

[Avex]

I can't comment on math+science classes (didn't take any of those) but the history/politics classes were all long 2-3 hour lectures and there was no chances for discussion/expressing your own opinion.

THAT'S JUST PLAIN HORRIBLE!! No discussion? Those qualities help contribute heavily to the vitality of college life!

[V12Juice]

Unless you are majoring in something that isnt engineering, comp sci, business, etc.

Graduating with a liberal arts degree and four years of out of state tuition loans = suicide.

Well if he plans on getting a job in the US, going to UCLA >>>>>>>>> Fudan.

[Hax]

Well if he plans on getting a job in the US, going to UCLA >>>>>>>>> Fudan.

He's an international student without a working visa(i assume), so it will be hard to get a job unless his company sponsors him (very few want to do this). His job prospects are lower as well as his tuition is much higher.

I mean in the end, yeah its better if he wants to work in the US. But the outlook and debt is immense and should really be considered before making the choice. If you aren't making a fair amount upon graduation, you may be in debt forever.