Am I justifiably terrified?, 2005...2005...2005... Options

[*CrackedRearView*]

I have 1,000 different directions I can take.

ACT: 35 composite
SAT I: 1520 composite

The list goes on of activities, GPA, etc, etc.

I can pretty much go anywhere I want to go, but I've narrowed it down to 3 schools on each coast that I've been accepted to.

Please, help me. And take into consideration cost, retaining a social life, etc. All are huge factors for me.

WEST COAST

University of California: Berkeley
Pepperdine
Stanford University

EAST COAST

The Johns Hopkins University
University of Princeton
New York University

(all of these, East and West coast, are with the assumption that after 4 years, I will transfer to the Massachussetts Institute of Technology; my lifelong dream)

I'm visiting the campus at the University of California: San Diego over Christmas break, as well. I might even just head there because my entire family lives in Corona del Mar.

You see my problem? So indecisive...this sucks...

[noaccounthere]

I have 1,000 different directions I can take.

ACT: 35 composite
SAT I: 1520 composite

The list goes on of activities, GPA, etc, etc.

I can pretty much go anywhere I want to go, but I've narrowed it down to 3 schools on each coast that I've been accepted to.

Please, help me. And take into consideration cost, retaining a social life, etc. All are huge factors for me.

WEST COAST

University of California: Berkeley
Pepperdine
Stanford University

EAST COAST

The Johns Hopkins University
University of Princeton
New York University

(all of these, East and West coast, are with the assumption that after 4 years, I will transfer to the Massachussetts Institute of Technology; my lifelong dream)

I'm visiting the campus at the University of California: San Diego over Christmas break, as well. I might even just head there because my entire family lives in Corona del Mar.

You see my problem? So indecisive...this sucks...

Well it all depends on your major...
As for UC. It is very hard to get in to a UC especially if you are not a Californian resident. Admissions to UCB is fairly hard. Almost as hard as UCLA. Of all who apply 25.3% are accepted. Most of this is in the gpa 4.0 and above range. In California SAT and ACT are important but as important is the GPA. Just to break down ur cocky-ness so your prepared for the worst. Having an outstanding GPA, SAT, and extra curriculars does not establish a certain acceptance, especially as a undergrad.

To be short... UCs are soo underbudgetted and filled with soo much applications that even the best qualified do not get in.

However for UCB particularily 98% of students who had an exceptional GPA and SAT of over 1400 were accepted. So if your a californian you got a 98% chance in if your GPA is exceptional.

However, UCB makes it clear that for applicants with SAT 1400 above who were non californian residents faced much harder and stricter qualifications. In other words, we californians get first grabs for admission space first. "they were out-of-state or international applicants, for whom admission standards are much higher" (Berkeley 2002)

As for Cost of UCB;

I thought about the California for a while because if you become a resident (living in CA for a year) you don't pay to go to college. 

Sort of... It is true however that you don't have to pay the out-of state fees which is almost about 300% added costs of ur tuition.

In State fees are expected around $2000-$3000+ while out of State... $8,000+

Im not that informed on UCB campus and life since my major im looking forward to would be suited at a school other than UCB. However for UCSD, I can tell you it is one of the nicest campus right next to the beach. Very good medical and engineering programs at UCSD as well.

People like me would envy your position. I have yet to take the SAT but I hope the score I would recieve is acceptable at the UC. But my GPA and extra curriculars I hope will give me a good fighting chance. But then again, I wouldnt mind a easy college time since ill just be taking engineering and AFROTC. THen graduate and im off to be in d Air Force.