Duke (42k) vs UCLA (105k) Forum

[hellothisisme]

My UCLA scholarship was originally 90k but I negotiated it up.

I am from the midwest (so no CA first-year in-state tuition) but my SO and I would really like to live and work in Southern California. I don't really have ties there unfortunately, but my SO has some family there... if that helps?

I just have little interest in living in the midwest anymore, and living in NYC is also not very appealing to me. I know I would be happy in CA, though.

For all these reasons UCLA is looking good, but I have to admit TLS's prestige-obsessed nature has got me wondering if I would be crazy to turn down Duke, even though the scholarship is much less. It is something of a miracle I was even accepted at all though, with my numbers. It was the best school I got into, and one of only two T14s that accepted me (the other being Cornell with 36k). ETA: Waiting on Stanford but I know that I'm not getting in there so it doesn't matter.

WOULD I be crazy to turn down Duke in my situation? I know Duke would give me better options nationally if SoCal doesn't work out. Which is something to consider. But I'm wondering if going there would make it difficult for me to get to CA in the first place since my ties are minimal at best.

[nigeriansiberian]

sounds like you should go to UCLA. Did you apply to berkley?

[hellothisisme]

sounds like you should go to UCLA. Did you apply to berkley?

Yep, and I was flat-out rejected.

Yeah, UCLA seems best in my case, but I just have this nagging doubt telling me that passing up Duke could be a big mistake. I think it's mostly a product of TLS prestige whoring though...

[lsdream]

UCLA easy imo!!!

[woeisme]

Damn, Cornell did not put out for you at all, huh? I'd Duke if it were me given my goals and interests. Given yours, UCLA all the way. And that's a nice chunk of change!!

[2014]

Assuming your SO is a fiance or wife that should be sufficient connections to Cali. I'd do UCLA for sure, that's a pretty solid offer. Really surprised you got dinged at Berkeley and a nearly full ride at UCLA, seems odd.

[Doorkeeper]

Assuming your SO is a fiance or wife that should be sufficient connections to Cali. I'd do UCLA for sure, that's a pretty solid offer. Really surprised you got dinged at Berkeley and a nearly full ride at UCLA, seems odd.

All of this. Also, if SO = wife I'd think that's a big reason to choose UCLA over Duke.