UC Irvine versus Santa Clara University

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So there are a couple of days until I have to choose which college to go to. That day would be May 1st.

Out of all the colleges I applied to, I got down to these two. One is a private school just 20 minutes from my house and another is 6 hours away down in Orange County. I can't seem to choose which one. Here is why:

1) Santa Clara University is a good school but costs $45,000 a year to go to. My mom claims that if I go and succeed, then it's a good deal. I agree with that, but for 45k, it sure doesn't seem like the kind of money I want to use up. Keep in mind here my family can afford it. UC Irvine costs half that price. I got a 6k scholarship from SCU but even then, I'm paying 39k/year.

2) SCU is also a campus I've been to a ton of times. I'm a bit sick of going there but the good thing about the campus is are the small classes, intimate environment and such, things that are necessary for a aspie I think to thrive in such an environment.

3) UC Irvine is bigger. UCI has about a 20,000 student population compared to 4,000 at SCU. I have friends there, making the transition easier.

4) SCU has a better business program, UCI has one that is beginning to grow from the $30 million given by one of its benefactors. Both have the potential for good returns.

5) Every friend of mine with the exception of three has said UCI. Every adult I know has said SCU.

6) On UCI's campus, I feel refreshed and energetic. I feel kind of tired at SCU.

What are your thoughts? I really need some help looking at this... This is where I'm spending my next 4 years...

UCI all the way; it's not even a debate. Academics are one thing, but you need to enjoy college. I went to a school with a great academic program, but its campus life is nonexistant. Don't make the same mistake I made. Go to a school that you'll enjoy outside the classroom, as well as inside the classroom.

Quoted for truth.

What about the programs though?

If you want a decent job after college, what do you do about that?

As long as it's a reputable school, you can get a job. In the long run, it's the work experience, not the school you went to, that matters. You'll have the rest of you life to work, work, and work. But now, it's the time to enjoy life. Go to a school that has a better campus life, as opposed to a better program. Don't make the mistake I made. Going to the school I chose was like watching a Windows 95 computer start up (that means boring and drawn-out).

Eh, I have friends who go to SCU and from what I've heard, there's a lot of fun to be had on campus there if you know where to look. I go to a school with only 400 people and we still manage to have a fairly vibrant campus life. So I'd say that it's really quite relative.

One thing I would like to point out, though, is that one of my SCU friends keeps telling me how much she misses me and how there aren't very many (if any) people who remind her of me over there. So if you're "zany," "quirky," "unconventional," or whatever, don't expect to find people like yourself at that school. Of course, I wouldn't assume that UCI would have many people like that either, knowing what I know about it. However, even if the proportion of Aspie-ish people is the same at both schools, there will still be more people like that at UCI, due to its larger size.

If you feel refreshed and energetic and UCI and have friends there, then I might reccomend it. Part of the appeal of the school I'm transfering to is that two of my friends from "nerd camp" are also going there, which is always a nice thing.

I committed myself to SCU by paying the deposit fee.

I think I might be better suited at SCU, despite the fact that I have less friends there. The small classes are really going to help.