u/Mysterious_Newt_4761

Hi everyone, I am from Washington. I only applied to 9 schools as my parents were strict about staying in the west coast. UCI, UCSD, UCD, UCSB, UCLA, UCB, UW Seattle, UW Bothell, and UArizona. I was accepted to three and flat-out rejected from the rest (UCI was lowkey a surprise).

Option 1: UC Irvine
Major: B.A. Psychology

Pros: The location is 10/10. It is close to both LA and Orange County, so there are lots of opportunities, good food, beach, and things to do. It also feels like the most prestigious option I have, especially since UCI got over 120k+ applications this cycle with a 28% acceptance rate. I also like that the Asian population is high, since I went to a very Asian HS and my friends are Asian. I can also graduate in 3 years because my Running Start credits transfer.

Cons: I am grateful that my family can afford it with no financial burden, but I’m a little guilty about the price. I would be full-pay. I have also heard that UCI can be a bit of a commuter school, which makes me a little worried about social life.

Option 3: University of Washington, Bothell
Major: B.A. Psych

Pros: This is my cheapest option since it is in-state and I got a $5,000/yr scholarship. It is also close to home, which would make coming back for breaks easier, though I am not sure if being that close is a good thing. I would still live in the dorms. I can also graduate in 3 years here.

Cons: I have heard it is very socially dead and has fewer research and academic opportunities than a larger research school like UW Seattle. It also seems to be mostly a commuter school, with vibes that feel more like a community college.

Hi everyone, I am from Washington. I only applied to 9 schools as my parents were strict about staying in the west coast. UCI, UCSD, UCD, UCSB, UCLA, UCB, UW Seattle, UW Bothell, and UArizona. I was accepted to three and flat-out rejected from the rest (UCI was lowkey a surprise).

Option 1: UC Irvine
Major: B.A. Psychology

Pros: The location is 10/10. It is close to both LA and Orange County, so there are lots of opportunities, good food, beach, and things to do. It also feels like the most prestigious option I have, especially since UCI got over 120k+ applications this cycle with a 28% acceptance rate. I also like that the Asian population is high, since I went to a very Asian HS and my friends are Asian. I can also graduate in 3 years because my Running Start credits transfer.

Cons: I am grateful that my family can afford it with no financial burden, but I’m a little guilty about the price. I would be full-pay. I have also heard that UCI can be a bit of a commuter school, which makes me a little worried about social life.

Option 2: University of Arizona
Major: B.A. Psychology

Pros: I was accepted to the Honors College. The weather is sunny year-round, and I have heard the social life is strong. I would get to live in the honors dorms, and I have also heard research opportunities may be less competitive than at UCI. Arizona is a little cheaper than UCI since I got a $10,000/yr scholarship. I can also graduate in 3 years here.

Cons: The smaller Asian population might be a big adjustment for me since a large part of my high school was Asian. I have also heard the food is kind of mid, and that there is not much to do in Tucson besides party.

Option 3: University of Washington, Bothell
Major: B.A. Psych

Pros: This is my cheapest option since it is in-state and I got a $5,000/yr scholarship. It is also close to home, which would make coming back for breaks easier, though I am not sure if being that close is a good thing. I would still live in the dorms. I can also graduate in 3 years here.

Cons: I have heard it is very socially dead and has fewer research and academic opportunities than a larger research school like UW Seattle. It also seems to be mostly a commuter school, with vibes that feel more like a community college.