[kylie945]

I am sooooo stressed out. I feel grateful for getting into UCLA because I never imagined that I would actually get in with a low SAT score 1600, barely any volunteer, and barely advanced classes. The catch is UCLA only offered me $331 in grants and gave me all loans because they determined that my efc is more than $18,000 even though my parents have a failing business and bad home investment. Their paychecks go to these and there is no extra spending money. However if I go to community college than they can afford that but it will be harder to get back into UCLA. I feel dumbed down if I go though because most of the kids at my school who got bad grades are going there so it would just be like high school and I hated it. Even lazy party people (at my school) are going off to college so why should I have to stay here after all that hard work will be wasted. All that time studying for SATs and taking AP classes in hopes of getting into a good school and when I do my parents can't afford it. I really hate living at home and want to live in a new environment. If I go to UCLA my parents will loan for me but I will be the one paying the loans back after I loan my butt to medical school too. So I will have no social life taking hard science and math classes at UCLA, or dumbing myself to take community college and finding what I want to be because honestly I don't know who I am anymore. I really love UCLA environment maybe I don't have to work during school but after graduation will all those loans be worth it?

[PDURRR]

you wouldn't be dumbing yourself to take community college
you learn just as much or more than you would at UCLA

it's really up to you, aren't UC schools also raising their fees 9% or something..so that just makes your situation worse..recession isn't helping either

you should be able to get back into UCLA just fine if you maintain a high gpa and the classes they require for whatever you want to major in

you would be saving alot of money for taking a your pre-req's and GE's at a CC though..2-3 years worth

[Frozy]

Hey Kylie, I'm sorry you have to go through this kind of pressure. But really, if you want to go to UCLA, by all means go for it. Money is a huge issue for you, I'm sure. But college loans are always good investments. If you think about it, going to community college will prolong your graduation status since there are more and more people doing the CC to UC. Plus, you also said that you're going to hate it there as well, so why bother considering it?

There is a reason loans were invented. Paying for college without loans are nearly impossible nowadays, regardless of social class unless you're like Bill Gates. Not only going to community college will kill your mind, it will also cause you to be less motivated to do good in school because you'll be stuck there for a long while. I have a brother who did not even have a choice on whether to go to UC or not because our parents thought he couldn't take care of himself. Now, he hates his current life style and has hardly any motivation to continue school.

I apologize that you couldn't get Financial Aid because of the whole criteria, which by the way, is quite faulty in my opinion. But both choices you have are going to suck for you. You might as well choose UCLA. However, I can't force that decision on you because that's for you to choose. Know that if you follow your own mind and heart, you'll be less likely to regret your decision. Go experience what you have been waiting for, money comes 2nd when it comes to satisfaction.

[Avex]

UCLA; the environment will motivate you to change the world, regardless of your field.

[soju]

nothing wrong with going out to CC except with a little hurt pride. my parents weren't happy (although I never made it to another university at the time), but now they're cool about it and excited.

[Hax]

There is a reason loans were invented. Paying for college without loans are nearly impossible nowadays, regardless of social class unless you're like Bill Gates. Not only going to community college will kill your mind, it will also cause you to be less motivated to do good in school because you'll be stuck there for a long while. I have a brother who did not even have a choice on whether to go to UC or not because our parents thought he couldn't take care of himself. Now, he hates his current life style and has hardly any motivation to continue school.

I apologize that you couldn't get Financial Aid because of the whole criteria, which by the way, is quite faulty in my opinion. But both choices you have are going to suck for you. You might as well choose UCLA. However, I can't force that decision on you because that's for you to choose. Know that if you follow your own mind and heart, you'll be less likely to regret your decision. Go experience what you have been waiting for, money comes 2nd when it comes to satisfaction.

This is a very idealistic approach to life, but I'm gonna have to speak against it. Money is a big factor in any college education. If Kylie has to take out full loans, that will amount to nearly 80k by the end of the his/her career. If their job does not make a fair amount, he/she will be in debt for a long long time.

Yeah its true that paying for college is impossible without loans now a days, but paying 80k for four years versus paying a max of 40k is a big deal.

And please, community college will not kill your mind. I really hated CC but I managed a 3.7 with 40 hours/week job. Guess what? If you had the ability to get into UCLA the first time, CC will be a breeze. You can literally hate school and be unmotivated and you will probably get a 3.7-3.8 and transfer without a problem.

The most amazing people I've met at UCLA are not the people who got here initially. It's the transfers. So don't think you are any lower for going to CC. No one gives a mini cooper where you goto and you dont care what they think after you start college. You only feel bad because you are currently in school and surrounded by people who are going somewhere. In a few months, you wont feel anything regarding that.

[elaynurr]

its all up to you. there is nothing wrong with community college, but why go to a community college when you have a shot at ucla? if money is really a problem for you, i guess going to a community college isnt bad...but its going to be hard to get back in. its possible, but a lot of people plan to transfer to a uc too so theres going to be competition. also, i heard the acceptance rates are dropping. hope this helps

[Daiquiri]

^ Negative, it's not always harder to transfer to a 4 yr. university. My friend's boyfriend did the 2 year CC stint and then transferred to Northwestern, which is a pretty darn good school. It's all about how well you do and taking the right pre-reqs for transferring, etc. It's possible, you just have to be well-informed and know what it'll take to transfer.

If you do opt for UCLA, I hope you will seriously consider getting a job because it wouldn't be fair to your parents at all, to pay and cover those loans while you get a free ride. The amount they gave you in grants will cover a textbook at best. You can still juggle being a full-time student and have a job on the side. Consider getting a job around your campus. You said you are looking into the medical field, well I have some friends who work at the biology labs on campus and they have decent wages and it pertains to their study as well.

I didn't go to a CC but the stigma that comes with CC is ridiculous. Not all "dumb" kids go to a community college. Most can't afford a 4 year university tuition so they plan on transferring w/in two years. Yes, there are some slackers who go because their parents forced them, but you'll find slackers in universities too. The material you learn at a CC is practically the same as at a university. The only difference being the class size, which is smaller and in itself an advantage.

As long as you finish school by whatever means, then that's all that matters. What process you went through, whether you went to a CC first or opted the 4-yr university route, it doesn't matter, as long as you graduate. I wouldn't completely shut the door on a CC, with everything you described it does seem your parents are not financially stable and taking out a hefty loan for your school might not be the best option. However, if they're willing and you plan on working as well then it's a possibility-- though somewhat of a long shot. If you're from in-state then the tuition shouldn't be too bad, since UCLA is not a private university.

[pri-T]

There is a clear advantage to going directly to UCLA because you'll get the college experience of living away from home, meeting new people and all the fun things first-years go through. However, you will be taking on A LOT of loans in order to do this and ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you are willing to incur a debt for your dream school and a debt of what size and only you can decide what is worth it. My dream school was also UCLA since childhood and I did get quite a bit of aid, but the amount of loans I had to take out was not worth it for me, so I chose USC (who ironically, gave me more money), where I am perfectly happy now.

About CCs: it is actually not very difficult to transfer into UCLA from a CC - in fact, the UCs give preference to applicants from CCs over both CSU and other UC applicants. I don't know where you live, but around me, Pasadena City College and Santa Monica College are known for having a high placement of transfers into the top UCs and private universities in CA, including UCLA and I'm sure you can find a local prestigious CC around you with the same reputation. From what I've heard, PCC offers a honors track that either makes it more likely or even guarantees admission into UCLA/other top universities upon completion of the track and a high GPA.

And although a lot of "dumb" or "lazy" kids from HS go to CCs, not everyone there is like that. One of my friends was very smart in HS, involved, took APs and Honors classes, was content to go to UC Berkeley (because she didn't get into her dream school, UCLA), but because she was not a US citizen at the time, she didn't get any aid and couldn't afford it. She went to PCC for two years, got a 4.0 GPA and is now at UCLA. One of my older cousins who is currently a doctor also went to PCC and transferred to UCLA. He came to America during his hs years and had trouble adjusting and didn't take the SATs and going to a CC gave him a second chance. There will be people who will never transfer to a 4-year university. There will be those who shoot lower, like a CSU. There will also be the ones aiming for UCs. Community college is what you make of it and only the name on your Bachelor's degree will matter.

Though I do have to say this: The classes at CCs are usually easier than those at a 'prestigious' university. I don't know from personal experience, but at PCC, there are no +/-'s. Just A/B/C, which was how my friend breezed through with a 4.0. She herself said the classes at UCLA are WAY harder and she's studying her butt off and her GPA is way lower, so if you do go to a CC, just make sure to expect to work a lot harder once you transfer in.

So bottomline, community college really isn't that horrible of a choice.

[kylie945]

thank you everyone! you guys have been a great help! I'm still balancing out the pros and cons right now. is there anybody out there loaning most of their tuition?

[tuttyfruit]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you got in with a low SAT score & basically no advanced classes (Honors & AP's)... Maybe UCLA is not right for you at the moment. Have you ever taken a college course? Do you know where you stand? UCLA is not a cake walk and chances are you will not do very well... (Assuming that you haven't had a rigorous HS career). A CC might be better for you for adjusting and for saving up a lot of money.

I remember reading a story from the LA Times about an illegal immigrant girl who decided to attend UCLA despite the money issue and was struggling quite a lot... Not only due to financial issues but because she was ill-prepared (was admitted with low SAT scores and not so rigorous classes). Her average GPA wasn't that bad (B-minus average) but still. UCLA will not hold your hand... It won't accommodate to your needs unless you are extremely proactive but you'll be on your own.

[Frozy]

This is a very idealistic approach to life, but I'm gonna have to speak against it. Money is a big factor in any college education. If Kylie has to take out full loans, that will amount to nearly 80k by the end of the his/her career. If their job does not make a fair amount, he/she will be in debt for a long long time.

Yeah its true that paying for college is impossible without loans now a days, but paying 80k for four years versus paying a max of 40k is a big deal.

And please, community college will not kill your mind. I really hated CC but I managed a 3.7 with 40 hours/week job. Guess what? If you had the ability to get into UCLA the first time, CC will be a breeze. You can literally hate school and be unmotivated and you will probably get a 3.7-3.8 and transfer without a problem.

The most amazing people I've met at UCLA are not the people who got here initially. It's the transfers. So don't think you are any lower for going to CC. No one gives a mini cooper where you goto and you dont care what they think after you start college. You only feel bad because you are currently in school and surrounded by people who are going somewhere. In a few months, you wont feel anything regarding that.

I know, I was just retelling my brother's current situation of the whole college thing. There are many technicalities when it comes to college since there's the money, and then there's the emotions he will feel if he chose one or the other. And I think I mistyped what I actually wanted to say on the whole CC thing, so that's my fault. And now I forgot what I really wanted to say at that time. I actually would prefer CC if my parents weren't such a-holes about any decision I make for my life. But then again, we aren't talking about myself here.

[Hax]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you got in with a low SAT score & basically no advanced classes (Honors & AP's)... Maybe UCLA is not right for you at the moment. Have you ever taken a college course? Do you know where you stand? UCLA is not a cake walk and chances are you will not do very well... (Assuming that you haven't had a rigorous HS career). A CC might be better for you for adjusting and for saving up a lot of money.

I remember reading a story from the LA Times about an illegal immigrant girl who decided to attend UCLA despite the money issue and was struggling quite a lot... Not only due to financial issues but because she was ill-prepared (was admitted with low SAT scores and not so rigorous classes). Her average GPA wasn't that bad (B-minus average) but still. UCLA will not hold your hand... It won't accommodate to your needs unless you are extremely proactive but you'll be on your own.

Low SAT score isn't going to mean much and no advanced classes is probably a choice the person made, not the result of being inadequate.

Despite that though, how are a high SAT score and many APs indicative of doing well at UCLA? Everyone has a high SAT and AP courses and not everyone can do well (many classes are curved), so it's not right to use those two measures to judge people. I see it more in my friends an I. We all had low SATs, very few APs, but we score in the top 10-20% percentile of our classes here at UCLA.

And I'm not sure how some CCs are, but the ones I attended did not prepare me well enough for UCLA. It was more my attitude that made the difference, not what I did at CC.

[jedimindtricks]

It's not even the fact that you got low SAT scores or whatever and got into UCLA.

I say go to community college. The first two years are general ed anyways. Might as well save yourself some money.

[hannieoon]

If you are really determined to be successful, I recommend going to UCLA despite the loans and such. That is... you know what career you want and going to UCLA will be a stepping stone in order for you to accomplish that dream.

BUT... if you don't know what you want to do or you're lost in what major to study in etc... UCLA is NOT the place for you. Like a lot of people have mentioned, UCLA has a tough academic program. Frankly, I'm surprised you got in with a low SAT score and not doing extracurricular activities and not taking that many advanced classes. Most people have to jump when they leave high school and enter college. You, on the other hand, have to make two leaps.

Community College will be a breeze for you. Most of the classes are easier than advanced classes in high school. I'm going there because I got rejected after I got accepted to the college I wanted to go. I prefer taking it easy and finish all my general ed for the next year and a half and start my actual major when I transfer. And the tuition is sooo cheap. I basically go there for free. So... I get to finish my general ed, chill for about a year and a half, have a job, and not have to pay a single penny.

Whatever floats your boat.

[kylie945]

I don't know about the other community colleges but the one I live near by MPC is really lame. The classes have subs all the time and I aced the classes. I took Chinese 1B and Japanese 1A, hip hop and regular high school classes and got good grades. I guess my community college is too easy but I won't feel focused to work hard if I go to Mpc. Also, I want to take korean at UCLA because I am a drama freak. You guys are right financially I should look at MPC and take the classes to figure what I want to be. I'll try UCLA for a year and if I don't like it then next year I'll return to MPC and transfer over to a school I really like because when I first visited UCLA it felt like home like seriously when I visited SFSU, UCB, and CSULA it felt weird and uncomfortable but when I saw all the events happening and the nice weather omg I fell in love with UCLA. I just never thought I would get in. Life is short I'll have to pay back loans anyways so an extra $40,000 sounds reasonable if I love it. Maybe because I took MPC classes too much that I hated it to this day. Plus I don't think MPC has good transfer rates compared to Santa MOnica, etc. Most of the people I saw at MPC were not dedicated at all. Like no offense but a huge group hung out and played games all day and a few of them had skipped the Japanese final to play games. I saw them and I was like Wow. I know this decision may not be wise and I'm letting my pride get to me but I want to be somewhere else away from home. I'm tired of fog all day everyday its depressing and staying in marina will depress me because theres no where to go.

[Hax]

That's how CCs are. There a ton of people like that at good CCs. My CC wasnt the best but it sends a lot of people to UCLA. Despite that, CCs have a bunch of people who mess around.

If your parents are giving you the loan interest free, an extra 40k becomes not as bad, but it is still bad. Yeah life is short, but life becomes unbearably long when you are in debt for a decade.

[Rini]

Try and find some scholarships!
I was in the same position as you.
I got accepted to my dream school, but yet once I got the financial award letter, I was doubting whether I should attend or not to.
Then I found this one scholarship that saved my wallet future cash. It covered my tuition.
Although I still have to pay 10 grand for housing and another 4 grand for fees, I believe that I didn't want to risk losing my admittance to my dream school over community college, so I decided to put them all in my name. Also, I know now that by next year I will be hunting down for scholarships like meat since it really helps in the long run.
Since I plan to also attend Law school, I know I'm going to be entirely in debt, but I will probably do some community work after graduation with my degree. I've heard that for doctors and lawyers, there are non-profit opportunities that can pay for your student debt....I'm not sure, so make sure to research it.
But, if you end up believing that community college is the best way to go, don't feel dumb down at all! Community colleges are great alternatives for student who lack the financial resources to go to a university and if you make it after two years it shows that your motivated and you'll probably be a very responsible student by then who won't make stupid mistakes like some young freshmen. So in the end, both work out, just find whatever situation fits you the best.
Good Luck!

[AngieK]

I would advise going to a CC. Since you are planning to attend med school, you already know how expensive that will be. Putting yourself nearly 80k in debt PRIOR to med school isn't the best plan. Loans are convenient, yes, but I see them more as a last resort. If you have other options, you should go with those, especially since it can get you to the same place while minimizing your long term loss.

I have a coworker who is almost 100k in debt and it pains me to see how much she is struggling to pay it back. She gets phone calls almost everyday from her lender demanding more and more money, even though she always sends her monthly payments on time. Is it impossible to pay back your loans? Of course not. But it does add a lot of extra, unnecessary stress. Plus, if the loan is being taken under your parents, you have to take into the consideration on their part. If you mess up and miss a payment in the future you are not only potentially going to ruin your credit, but it will affect them as well. It's easy for people to say "oh..just take out loans and go to UCLA" but there are a lot more things to consider, especially since you didn't get very much financial aid.

Contrary to what most people believe, CCs are NOT crappy in anyway. The last two professors I had both had PhDs and were better teachers then most of the professors I had when I attended UCSD. Like UCs, with CC professors it's a hit and miss. You get good teachers sometimes and you get bad teachers sometimes. The same will happen at a UC. So in terms of education, you aren't losing anything when you go to a CC. Just study hard and try to maintain a 4.0. It's not difficult to transfer to a UC from a CC if you maintain a high gpa.

College is what you make it. CC or UC. It really doesn't matter. The first two years are just general education anyway, it REALLY doesn't matter (contrary to what many people believe). Best of luck in whatever you decide.

[Hax]

There are somethings you also need to consider. If you dont make it to med school, you will be stuck with 80k worth of debt. Suze Orman, a super conservative financial adviser, has said that if you do not make more than what you owe, you will almost never get out of debt without declaring bankruptcy.

The other thing to consider is that you are saying your parents have bad investments and a failing business so 1. How are they going to get the money to loan you? 2. If they do manage to get the money to loan to you(aka they take out loans to give to you), you do realize that interest will be applied to the loan and it compounds. While you may take out 80k in loans, the end total will not be 80k. Since I don't know what type of loans you will take out, I will do a rough calculation. If you take out 20k loans each year for the next 4 years @ 7% interest, you will have roughly 95k that you will owe. That's assuming you start to pay that off once you graduate, but if you continue on at med school, then what you will owe is even more. If you end up going to med school, that 80k loan will become a 124k loan at the end of your med school career (this is without adding what med school costs. Its just what your UG costs were).

So while an extra 40k sounds reasonable, does an extra 80k sound reasonable?

Of course this point is moot if your parents can loan you interest free, but then again if they could do that, you wouldn't really have to worry about CC or UCLA. You would just pick what you want and pay it off since loans dont kill you. Interest does.