okay, so another one of my big worries tts occupyin my mind is this whole university thing.

the plannin starts now, not later, coz there wont b time for it.

k screw ann arbor for now. i wont worry bt tt sch until i decide to do MBA. but tts for later.

the current problem now, is tt im torn between georgia tech and a possible transfer move to univ of illinois at urbana champaign. the key reason is obviously money. tho georgia tech is well known for its cheap tuition but high quality education. but then by next yr, i'll qualify for this thin called in state tuition, which would bring the amount bein forked out significantly. ok, the idea is this, if you've been stayin in illinois for a long time, or in my case, my parents stayin here for at least a yr, n u decide to go to a illinois public university which is funded by the state, its like gettin a discounted tuition rate. i mean, its quite a simple idea, u go to a public uni tts in the same state as u reside, u get a deal. so tts wat i should b entitled to.

k here's the math part. obviously i wont qualify for georgia in state since as a college bound student, i cannot claim residency. so tt means i pay out of state fee, which is approx US$14k. yea, it seems a lot, but b surprised, tts considered a very gd deal. other places charge more, like ucla, berkeley, ann arbor wants almost US$24k. k, to top it off, its the board cost, which in ga tech is approx US$6k. tts not too bad. so annually, the cost is US$20k for ga tech.

of cuz tt could decrease if i decide to participate in peer leader program, co-op, internships or even partial scholarship n aids.

but lets juz speak in terms of in case we hav to pay the full price.

k, so if i remain at ga tech, which i really want now, i'll prob stay there for 5 yrs. co-op program takes another yr of ur uni life, but u graduate wit a better resume, work experience n stats prove tt those wit co-op exp get higher starting salary. so all's gd. tt means i'll prob hav to pay approx US$100k for my stay in ga tech.

now.. my dad wants me to move to univ of illinois at urbana champaign. k, firstly coz the of the in state tuition. second, its standards a similar to ga tech, not as rigorous, but its department is almost the same, so y not, since we pay less? makes lot of sense. in state tuition is apporx US$6k n board is also US$6k. so totally annual cost US$12k. i'll most prob graduate in 4 yrs in UIUC, so total cost, taking into consideration my first yr in ga tech is roughly between US$55k to 59k. i cant figure tt one out, coz mayb for the first semester i might hav to pay the out of state fee of approx US$14k, coz when i apply, i'll b considered a non-resident. so tt comes to a diff of 4k.

4 yrs, total lets say 40k. the amount i potentially save would b between US$40k to 44k!!! im tryin to convince hasib to go to UIUC for dad's sake (but they're no. 1 in finance, which i think hasib should consider) n the amount tt we would save would cover him for at least 3 yrs since he'll definately qualify for in state.

so u can imagine the big dilemma. i want to stay n graduate from ga tech. but for the sake of money, i might hav to go to UIUC.

not tt i hate UIUC. i mean its department r comparable, so there isnt a prob on tt pt. but its coz ever since acceptance, ive practically planned my ga tech life out. ive been readin n researchin so much bt tech, ive grown attached to it. n the close to success basketball season didnt help.

im entitled to 12 hours of semester hours. one semester hour is equivalent to one hour of class per week for 16 wks of the semester. n i get 4 semester hours of MATH 1501 - Calculus I, 4 hours of PHYS 2211 Intro Physics I and another 4 hours of PHYS 2212 Intro Phy II. so tt means 4 hours of maths and physics per week for 16 wks. now y shouldnt i claim credit eh? basically, i dont have to touch maths for my first 6 months, then for second semester, i dont touch physics while i cover MATH 1502 Calculus II, and for second yr first semester, i dont touch phy. isnt tt a great? suddenly im thanking to hav sat for the A Levels. even wit shit grades, i'm entitled, well, juz barely managed to be entitled. if i had gotten B or even A for chem (which is kinda impossible, the most i could even dream was a C) then i would hav gotten 4 hours of CHEM 1310 General Chemistry I too. but then tt would mean i would only hav ENGL 1101 English Composition and CS 1321 Intro Computing to do for the whole first yr first semester.

n i think i can use all those vacated hours to v gd use. normally the suggested schedule advises students to take up electives tt r needed for graduation from second yr onwards. but instead of cramming my 3rd n final yr up wit electives, i might as well do them when i hav more free time so tt when i reach my 3rd or final yr, i can concentrate on my mandatory n more important subjects. tt makes a lot of sense doesnt it?

n wit the not too crammed schedule, i was more in favour of taking up a minor or a certificate program to broaden my scope of my major. then i can really put free hours into v gd use. so its great, instead of having to go through 16 total semester hours every semester, i get away wit only 12.

so u can see, ive been doin a lot of thinkin n researchin n planning. now u must understand y i dont wanna move away from ga tech. i already imagine myself there. even if its for 5 yrs, im sure work exp will b enriching.

another prob is, im reconsidering my decision for computer engineering. tt would not affect my credit hours, since Calculus and Phy r common subjects for all engineering disciplines. im intending to mail the office of admissions to change my choice of major to 'undecided' engineering. i would prefer to explore all the disciplines of engineering and come to a convinced choice. wat if i realize i might actually feel comfortable wit chemical engin? (tt would actually make it real funny) or wat if i realize im a natural wit materials engineering? i would never know til i try. n since i hav the opportunity to, y not? i wouldnt wanna end up contemplatin 10 or 15 yrs into my career and question y i decided to do comp engin n not, take for example, mech engin. who knows wat might happen? i wouldnt want to do comp engin simply coz the field is continuin to grow til i seek employment, or the fact tt it pays well or the fact tt its the new hot thing. i would want to b doin somethin tt would keep me interested. coz im talkin bt the majority of my working career. i better not lose interest or do it for the sake of the paycheck.

n its scary to think tt among the disciplines, comp n elec r supposedly the hardest. ppl who drop out (actually opt out) from these courses usually follow this pattern, first drop to mech, then to industrial, then finally to the notorious civil.

n since diversity is the key to more opportunities n success, ive already preplanned my post graduate plans. mayb after couple of yrs, say 4 to 5, i enroll for MBA. i think i hav finance in mind. will come to a more complete decision by then, but not too sure at this moment. ive already shortlisted couple of schs, namely, ann arbor, Duke, Univ of Chicago, univ of Virginia, USC and of cuz, our beloved UIUC.

call me crazy, obsessed, but i prefer all these to b planned than to take it as it comes. its definately better that way.

n by now, u should understand how bothered i am about this whole thing for the past few days, together wit the twist in the way i look at the systems of this country. my head feels real heavy. n tired. n uneasy.

i know im thinking way too much. but i cant help but not b bothered bt all this. i dont think ive ever been bothered bout anythin as much as this.

n by the time i end this, i would hav finished listenin to Goo Goo Dolls' 'What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Arts and Commerce' all the way from the start til the end. all 22 tracks.

oh, if anyone runs Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Pro, and know a way to get rid fo the debuggin prompt setting, please please do tell me. im sick n tired of it interferin wit almost every webpage i access or any program i run (I can't play CM, i wanna tear my head apart!)

n not to mention, i owe hundreds of ppl in friendster a testimonial. wit VB interrupting, i cant get anywhere. mayb i should uninstall. but then changes hav been made to the setting. installin it takes a long time and besides, i need it.

n im sleepy n tired of all this. better go try calm my mind a lil n try to take a breather.

caught in the breakdown...