UVA (full ride) v. UCLA (full ride) v. USC (40k) v. Boalt Forum

[goldenolden]

I am from LA and thought I would stay there... but I was just really unimpressed with UCLA's ASW. I did not like the vibe there at all. And it doesn't seem to make sense to pay more to go to USC over UCLA.

After visiting, I liked UVA much more than I thought I would, and a full ride there is a great offer... but I want to practice in California, and I could potentially get really sick of the fratty vibe and Virginia weather and small town.

I would love to go to Boalt. It is the most my style of the schools I've visited... but, since they have not offered me a scholarship yet, it seems unlikely that I would get anything near UVA's offer, or anything at all. So I am wondering if it would be worth paying sticker.

Any input is appreciated!

[Mal Reynolds]

Bra, see if Berkeley will negotiate. Otherwise you would be an idiot to turn down a full ride at UVA.

[titan747]

Have you tried the Boalt Scholarship Matching program using UVA's offer?

[goldenolden]

Yes! I have emailed them about it a couple times. Most recently, Monday, and have not heard back.

[DBishops]

Yes! I have emailed them about it a couple times. Most recently, Monday, and have not heard back.

Do you have a deadline for UVA?

[thelawyler]

If Cal doesn't work out, go UVA. This is a no brainer.

[kebUVA2012]

NEVER GO TO UVA.

I GO THERE UNDERGRAD. it sucks, the professors suck, the people are mean, everyone is RUDE, don't ever think you will be anyone/anything..... even DRIVING TO CLASS is miserable. it's awful.

i hate UVA. never. go.

[CanadianWolf]

Berkeley should match Virginia's offer. If so, then UCal-Berkeley is the easy choice. If not, then enjoy Virginia.

[moneybagsphd]

I am from LA and thought I would stay there... but I was just really unimpressed with UCLA's ASW. I did not like the vibe there at all. And it doesn't seem to make sense to pay more to go to USC over UCLA.

After visiting, I liked UVA much more than I thought I would, and a full ride there is a great offer... but I want to practice in California, and I could potentially get really sick of the fratty vibe and Virginia weather and small town.

I would love to go to Boalt. It is the most my style of the schools I've visited... but, since they have not offered me a scholarship yet, it seems unlikely that I would get anything near UVA's offer, or anything at all. So I am wondering if it would be worth paying sticker.

Any input is appreciated!

Glad I'm not the only one... UCLA's vibe really turned me off.
But at equal cost, you'd be a fool to pick UCLA over UVA. That said, if Berkeley matches UVA's offer, go there.

[NYC2012]

.

[5ky]

NEVER GO TO UVA.

I GO THERE UNDERGRAD. it sucks, the professors suck, the people are mean, everyone is RUDE, don't ever think you will be anyone/anything..... even DRIVING TO CLASS is miserable. it's awful.

i hate UVA. never. go.

From April 11th:

Ugh, I wish I could go to UVa. They only accept 7% of undergrads that apply. They're always trying to build their alumni base and since I'll already be a part of it, they don't want me.

Go on..

edit: for OP -- as others have said, see what Berkeley gives you. If only a little/nothing, the rational thing would be to go to UVA. But if Berkeley comes anywhere near matching, you should go there -- happiness is hard to overrate.

[NinerFan]

Full ride at UVA, and Stanford isn't an option?

Go UVA unless Boalt matches. If you have strong ties to Cali, you should be able to find your way back.

[goldenolden]

I'm on Stanford's wait list.

[Real Madrid]

Full ride at UVA but only 40k at USC? Weird.

Anyway, I'll be stunned if Berkeley matches UVA, because they're super stingy with aid. I'd go to UVA, no question.