I’d let the kid go to UCLA or UNC you have the money set aside already. Anything could change for grad school, they may go, they may not. If you were concerned about money I’d say UMD or Rutgers but let’s be honest neither are desireable for 4 years when you have better options.

Rule out Rutgers

Have you visited all 3 other schools? If DC loves UCLA best after doing so then probably you should be looking at there vs UMD and knocking out UNC.

My kid has turned down UMich for full ride UMd engineering. I think the different honors college groups make the big school feel smaller. He knows a number of kids who travel into DC weekly for internships and others who have everything they need on campus. It was not his first choice but he is very excited to be going there this fall.

UMD and then grad school with the money not spent. UCLA will be a fair amount in travel as well, which should be factored in. What schools is dc waitlisted at? And well done parent! Your kid is amazing!

Anonymous wrote:Under these circumstances I would pick UMD (and I’m a Tar Heel). Maryland has great school spirit (esp in basketball, I’ve been to a few recent basketball games in Xfinity Center and they’ve been really fun, huge student turn out). Only con for Maryland is the freshmen dorm situation (some are super small with no AC) but I would still pick the full ride.

+1. DC accepted to UNC and UMD. Intended major good at both. Went to UMD. But we said to go to UNC ( or elsewhere) for grad school.

Anonymous wrote:Seriously who the F would pay OOS UNC or UCLA over full ride UMD?????

Exactly. Insanity.

OP here - DC attended all admitted student days, and the excitement for UCLA is apparent. We all got it, beautiful weather and campus, school spirit, food and beach which DC loves. Aside from this, DC is aware of the large class size, the relative new public health program in comparison to UNC whose public health program is well established with lots more research opportunities and along with the oos price tag. I can imagine DC be happier here, with what a college experience should be like.

We are on the waitlists for a few private universities, including a few ivys, knowing the chance of getting accepted is very slim.

So financially, we set aside money if DC got into ivys or other top private univ.

So agony continues here, full ride vs. paying a happier college experience in ucla vs. UNC with better major experience and research opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't UMD super depressing? No college town, just stuck off the beltway with a few strip malls?

No. It’s a nice campus. College Park is mid, but it’s definitely not depressing.

Maryland!!!! Easy choice. Congratulations!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NJ residence

UNC vs ucla vs full ride Rutgers vs full ride umd

Global health right now, but not sure the future, graduate in the global health or medical program or other fields.

DC is looking for school with school spirits and currently leaning toward UNC or UCLA but also understand with full ride she can spend money on graduate schools.

Financially we can afford out of state tuition but it’s hard decision with two full-ride options.

How would you decide or help guide the decision process with the DC? Thanks.

Not intending to be sarcastic, but there is real value in getting as far away from New Jersey as possible during one's formative years. North Carolina is probably adequate and UCLA is certainly a sufficient distance away from New Jersey.

This is someone who left a lot of baggage behind in NJ. Or they haven’t left and have regrets. I grew up in NJ, went to Rutgers, and had a blast. Ignore these posters.
My vote is for the free ride. If your kid wants to go away to school, then UMD. But if they want to stay close to home, then Rutgers. My kid is at UMD now so I know both options well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NJ residence

UNC vs ucla vs full ride Rutgers vs full ride umd

Global health right now, but not sure the future, graduate in the global health or medical program or other fields.

DC is looking for school with school spirits and currently leaning toward UNC or UCLA but also understand with full ride she can spend money on graduate schools.

Financially we can afford out of state tuition but it’s hard decision with two full-ride options.

How would you decide or help guide the decision process with the DC? Thanks.

Not intending to be sarcastic, but there is real value in getting as far away from New Jersey as possible during one's formative years. North Carolina is probably adequate and UCLA is certainly a sufficient distance away from New Jersey.

Wow the d-bags are out in force today.

What did you hope to accomplish with your post? Whatever your hope was, unless it was "make myself look like an idiot and possibly moderately annoy some random forum reader" you have failed.

Anonymous wrote:NJ residence

UNC vs ucla vs full ride Rutgers vs full ride umd

Global health right now, but not sure the future, graduate in the global health or medical program or other fields.

DC is looking for school with school spirits and currently leaning toward UNC or UCLA but also understand with full ride she can spend money on graduate schools.

Financially we can afford out of state tuition but it’s hard decision with two full-ride options.

How would you decide or help guide the decision process with the DC? Thanks.

Not intending to be sarcastic, but there is real value in getting as far away from New Jersey as possible during one's formative years. North Carolina is probably adequate and UCLA is certainly a sufficient distance away from New Jersey.

Anonymous wrote:Rutgers sounds really bad. Read the hundreds of Reddit posts from the students. There does not seem to be any redeeming qualities to that school.

Well, when you put it that way, with all your research, facts, details, and logic, it is kind of hard to argue that it is worthless at a free ride.

/ that was sarcasm, your comment is useless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't UMD super depressing? No college town, just stuck off the beltway with a few strip malls?

It's proximity to the capital of the USA, much better than middle of nowhere in North Carolina.

Ok. Whatever you say.

Rutgers sounds really bad. Read the hundreds of Reddit posts from the students. There does not seem to be any redeeming qualities to that school.