UC Davis($$$) vs UC Irvine(sticker) Forum

[Bluffer0123]

Hi all,

I recently got into UCI, which I am incredibly grateful for, but I have to make the hard choice between UCI and UC Davis. I have $$$ at Davis, but I do hope to return to Southern California after graduation. Is the additional debt from UCI worth it if I want to remain in the SoCal market? Or should I try my best at UCD and accept that Northern California might be where I start my career?

I am looking towards the long term Orange County vs Bay Area cost of living(ie housing prices) to try to justify the additional debt. Foolish? Probably.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[crazywafflez]

Can you live at home for either of these options? How much would your total debt be from each?
I'd say reapply / retake for next year and shoot for $$$ at UCI.

[Bluffer0123]

Can you live at home for either of these options? How much would your total debt be from each?
I'd say reapply / retake for next year and shoot for $$$ at UCI.

I already have a lease signed in Davis actually, but just today they announced an online only Fall semester. My total debt at UCD would be $60k and at UCI would be $150. As much as I would like to make SoCal more of a sure thing after I graduate, I am just not sure if it justifies an additional $90k in loans, especially considering the outcomes between the two schools are mostly the same.

[Wubbles]

What kind of work do you want to do?

[crazywafflez]

UCD is okay for that debt- I would not go to UCI for that debt; it is way too much. I would defer though and retake/reapply for next year if SoCal is your priority. Idk anything about the California market; maybe UCD places some there, but no idea and I assume UCI is stronger there.

[Bluffer0123]

What kind of work do you want to do?

In general, I am looking towards private practice, but I also do want to note that the LRAP limit at Davis was just increased to $80k/yr. Not that I am aiming for that right now necessarily, but knowing that I am more comfortable with taking the scholarship at Davis and counting my blessings.

[Bluffer0123]

UCD is okay for that debt- I would not go to UCI for that debt; it is way too much. I would defer though and retake/reapply for next year if SoCal is your priority. Idk anything about the California market; maybe UCD places some there, but no idea and I assume UCI is stronger there.

My understanding is that Irvine's geographic location is a bit offset by the relative lack of alumni on account of it being a new school. My professional network is already in Southern California, and after speaking to past alumni from both schools, I think going to UCD would not be so foreign as to make impossible a move back to SoCal

[Bluffer0123]

All of that being said, I think I am going to take the $$$ at Davis! Northern California will be a new experience for me, and I know that minimizing debt long term is paramount. I am worried about housing prices in the bay area(a concern for 10+ yr from now) but the flexibility afforded by little debt is huge, and given my network, I think I may have two markets available. Anyways, thank you all for the input!

[samlarson]

All of that being said, I think I am going to take the $$$ at Davis! Northern California will be a new experience for me, and I know that minimizing debt long term is paramount. I am worried about housing prices in the bay area(a concern for 10+ yr from now) but the flexibility afforded by little debt is huge, and given my network, I think I may have two markets available. Anyways, thank you all for the input!

That's a pretty ballsy move, considering the coronavirus and uncertainty in the economic. What do you plan to do with your student loan or you've got it all covered up?

[decimalsanddollars]

All of that being said, I think I am going to take the $$$ at Davis! Northern California will be a new experience for me, and I know that minimizing debt long term is paramount. I am worried about housing prices in the bay area(a concern for 10+ yr from now) but the flexibility afforded by little debt is huge, and given my network, I think I may have two markets available. Anyways, thank you all for the input!

I think this is the right move given your numbers, interests, and circumstances. If you do well at Davis and/or your circumstances change, I'd consider a transfer to a school like UCLA/USC or Berkeley.