UCLA (out of state) at sticker v. Rutgers Camden$/Drexel$$ Forum

[mmmadeli]

I got into Rutgers Camden with a $36k scholarship off the in-state tuition (which is about half tuition) and Drexel with $90k, which is basically full tuition. I was half-heartedly trying to choose between them when I got the call from UCLA today. I don't believe they're offering me anything, since they didn't mention it on the phone and based on other posts on the UCLA thread, if they were they would have. Now, my understanding is that I may be able to weasel some money out of them, but probably not a ton. I'm still waitlisted at UVA and Penn and waiting on NYU and Columbia. 170/3.43 from Penn undergrad -- really thought I could do better than Rutgers/Drexel but what can you do.

[D. H2Oman]

UCLA or reapply.

[Joga Bonito]

UCLA or reapply you can do better, don't under any circumstance go to Rutgers or Drexel with your stats.

[mmmadeli]

Yeah, I thought I was having unreasonably bad luck this cycle. To be fair I've only actually been dinged once -- I'm still waiting on a number of places, but I'm not really counting on the UVA or Penn waitlists to pan out in my favor just because waitlists are dicey (though I did my UG at Penn, which may help), and NYU and Columbia are far from certain. Do you think UCLA is worth the money? What are my chances of weaseling some money out of them?

[keg411]

Yeah, I thought I was having unreasonably bad luck this cycle. To be fair I've only actually been dinged once -- I'm still waiting on a number of places, but I'm not really counting on the UVA or Penn waitlists to pan out in my favor just because waitlists are dicey (though I did my UG at Penn, which may help), and NYU and Columbia are far from certain. Do you think UCLA is worth the money? What are my chances of weaseling some money out of them?

Did you apply to any of the lower T14 schools (especially Cornell/Georgetown)? What about Vandy - at least they appear to have more reach into the Mid-Atlantic than UCLA?

I don't think your #'s are good enough for $$'s at UCLA, so you're kind of in a tough spot. I like Rutgers-Camden and may end up there, but I wouldn't waste your stats on that, even with half tuition unless you're extremely debt averse and only want to work in North Jersey/Philly.

[Joga Bonito]

Unless you want to work on the west coast, relax, ride the wait list, but plan on reapplying next year. Look for something to do in the mean time. Be patient you'll be fine, that is unless you have some dark secret or wrote awful PS's, if its the latter then re-write them.

[mmmadeli]

Unfortunately, taking another year off really isn't an option for me. I just graduated in May and I was living at home this year, and it's been going okay, but I don't make enough at my job to move out, and staying another year in my parents' house just isn't a viable option for a number of reasons. I also was waitlisted at Columbia today, so we'll see how that plays out.

[jimicornerstone]

Did you not apply to Temple and Nova?

[mmmadeli]

No, in retrospect I should have. I didn't handle my applications tremendously well, I think I was overly optimistic. I'll make an appointment with my prelaw advisor and talk it over with him next week.

[General Tso]

No, in retrospect I should have. I didn't handle my applications tremendously well, I think I was overly optimistic. I'll make an appointment with my prelaw advisor and talk it over with him next week.

That's an understatement. If you had the numbers for UCLA, I see no good reason why there are no 20-50 options w/ $$$.

I'd go with UCLA rather than sitting out a year. Just do LRAP if the loans are too much.

[notme]

UCLA is a terrific school and you will have a great time here. Like someone else said, you shouldn't waste your stats on the other schools. The loans will be paid off in a few years, but that degree is going to follow you for life.