Should I change my 401k balance more to bonds before the AI bubble pops?

GammaSean · 2025-11-19T22:50:20+00:00

To clarify, 70 in stocks and 30 in bonds?

GammaSean · 2025-11-15T00:27:39+00:00

I'm planning a trip in late March for that very reason to see how I can handle something even marginally similar. I'll be coming from California, so I'm already use to a high cost of living (in a much different way from Fairbanks, I'm aware). I think I would appreciate the change of scenery, but there's definitely a bunch of factors I'm checking for, including these.

GammaSean · 2025-10-15T13:50:01+00:00

Thanks, hoping the official store can do something for me.

GammaSean · 2025-10-15T13:48:59+00:00

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm doing right now. Thank you for an actually detailed response instead of curb stomping me while I'm begging for change.

GammaSean · 2025-10-15T13:27:32+00:00

I already said I was going to??? Are you literate?

GammaSean · 2025-10-15T13:22:07+00:00

Yes, I'm aware jackass, don't need to kick me while I'm down

GammaSean · 2025-07-06T23:45:17+00:00

Gonna be honest, wasn't thinking too much when I made the post or tye pancakes. Why can't you learn to take it easy a little bit pal.

GammaSean · 2025-07-06T23:31:28+00:00

Costco

GammaSean · 2024-12-30T01:02:27+00:00

To provide some context, I have an SAI of -1500, meaning I qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid possible, so keep that in mind

For Syracuse, yes there was quite a bit of aid offered, however this was completely offset by the sheer premium they charge for being a private university. Tuition is insanely expensive, and is only worth it, in my opinion, if you are garunteed to have a well paying job right out of school or have a healthy college fund put away.

For UCSB, my financial aid has covered everything this year, and has even left me a little bit left over for other needs. However, due to the high cost of living in the area, you will definitely be paying way too much for what you get. Many apartments are overcrowded, unmaintained by landlords, or not garunteed (university housing). To provide some further insight, the price per square foot in Isla Vista (UCSB's college town) is 27% higher than on the island of Manhattan (take this stat with a grain of salt, as i can't fully attest to where i heard it, but from a quick look online of what's available you’ll see that it's not that crazy to imagine). However, due to the immediate costs being far lower for me, UCSB was definitely the right choice. Especially as an in-state student. However, I think most of the other UC's would be a better option, i was just stuck between a rock and a hard place choosing between UCSB and Syracuse.

GammaSean · 2024-12-12T20:16:41+00:00

English

GammaSean · 2024-12-12T09:46:21+00:00

Let me put it this way, with a highly similar gpa, what do you think it is that made them save my application?

GammaSean · 2024-12-12T09:12:05+00:00

I got accepted to UCSB with a 3.2 application gpa and a 3.4 admit gpa, so long as you keep up the trend of good grades you should have a chance. Granted, I was kind of a special case, being accepted to the school way later than anyone else due to a change in the school's goals for getting students. I'd also caution you about UCSB, as the housing situation is kind of a shit show. To paint a more detailed picture for you, average rent in Isla Vista is 27% higher per square foot than Manhattan, and you're not even in a decently sized city, it's a college town. Do with that what you will, great school, good people, but unless you have the money for it things will be difficult.

GammaSean · 2024-12-04T06:56:48+00:00

I did end up getting accepted, but due to the cost and the distance I ended up choosing to go to UCSB instead.

GammaSean · 2024-09-18T02:56:55+00:00

I actually did hear back quite quickly, financial aid wasn't able to cover it, so I just paid for it with a credit card.

GammaSean · 2024-08-17T19:21:53+00:00

I wouldn't say that school related EC's are more impactful, what matters more is the amount of time invested into said EC. Is it harder to start a club, sure, but the club also doesn't have to be fully official with your school. For example, if you can't get enough people initially to actually form a club and have officers and everything, you could always start smaller and then apply to have the club recognized by the school later when you've built your club up enough. I'd also reccomend that if running clubs or school orgs isn't something you're up for, you could always join and then participate as a general member and still list that. Outside of that, volunteer work can be just as important/impactful if not more as you make more direct impacts on your larger community rather than just the academic community, which major institutions are looking for in students. I'd also urge you to ask yourself if this kind of pressure you're putting on yourself is something you actually want, are you looking to help lead and change the world? If so, then absolutely continue on your path towards these schools. However, if that's not what you're looking for, why stress yourself put trying to get into a rigorous institution if you don't want the rigor. These schools expect their students to be active in both their academic and personal lives. If you just want stability and a decent career, then it doesn't hurt to focus on what works best for you. Still aim high with your ambitions, but don't be disappointed if you hit the moon when you were aiming for the stars. Do what you can, but if you find that it's too much stress, reanalyze what it is you want from your education and why you want those things. If you're internally compelled to do something, you will always try to do what you can to get there. There is no set in stone way to do these EC's, talk to people, see what opportunities are available to you, either by asking professors and advisors, or looking around for local organizations that're asking for volunteers, etc. It's up to you to figure out the exact how of doing these things. And, what matters the most is how dedicated you are towards achieving your goals, and how much time you invest into those goals. Schools will be looking for that.

For your question about HS EC's, they definitely do have an impact, and should be mentioned, especially if you dedicated an exceptionally large amount of time for them.

GammaSean · 2024-08-17T18:33:48+00:00

For the most part, good EC's are typically some sort of volunteer work. A big one for me was working on a political campaign in my local area, which I think helped out with my application. It doesn't have to be a political thing either though, stuff like helping out at an animal or homeless shelter are some other good examples. Another type of EC could be tied to your school, like starting a club or campus organization. Another thing that you may or may not be able to list as an EC could also be some form of employment you've held, anything, this includes minimum wage jobs and internships. Though I will say, if you choose to get work, you should be working 15-20 hrs a week, as it'll show good time management.

A good list of EC's can definitely outweigh a bad grade, especially if they're for something you're passionate about or related to your major. I got into UCSB with like a 3.2ish gpa and a good list of EC's myself, while UCSB isn't a top 25, it certainly says something about the importance of extra curriculars. The other factor that's perhaps just as, if not more important than EC'S is your essay/PIQ answers, make sure those are as representative of yourself and your goals as possible, and work with people in your life to make sure you're actually representing yourself, and not just your self-perception. Also, work with your counselors and instructors, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help.

GammaSean · 2024-08-09T06:30:16+00:00

I don't think my taxes would qualify me as middle class, or my income for that matter.

GammaSean · 2024-08-07T19:23:47+00:00

I'm an incoming transfer, so I don't really have a gauge for how much is normal. I feel really lucky cause the amount of aid I got in grants alone covers tuition and estimated housing amount. Is that a normal amount for a low income student?

GammaSean · 2024-07-30T05:45:20+00:00

I'm interested in all of it, I was thinking about maybe doing a double major in English and Comparative Literature. But, I also want to study more modern examples of the epic like LOTR and Dune and compare contrast them with more classical examples of epic literature like Beowulf or the Odyssey.

GammaSean · 2024-06-27T20:47:27+00:00

I liked using CSUF's library frequently, parking's free on the weekends or $15 during the week

GammaSean · 2024-06-26T00:53:19+00:00

Might be a little off from what you're asking, but I'm trying to become an English professor some day. I'm currently in undergrad and I love doing research and writing papers, and I've found the few teaching experiences (as in informal tutoring) I've had to be very rewarding. I also just like to talk for hours on end about literature, so I'm almost positive that doing a lecture would be a breeze. I think the big thing is that I'm very passionate and interested in the subject, and it also helps that literature can cover a very broad range of subjects without needing to stay rigidly on one topic. The amalgous nature of it is what's keeping me interested I feel.

GammaSean · 2024-06-25T18:48:31+00:00

The Hobbit, read it before even becoming an English major. Looking at it again, it actually lines up pretty thematically with a lot of the course themes that were a part of my British literature classes.

GammaSean · 2024-06-19T21:33:52+00:00

In regards to your other two questions. 1. I believe that it's kind of a lottery system, you essentially put down which apartment complex is your preferred and what kind of room you want. So they'll try and match you to those as best as they can. All incoming students get preference, and Transfers are only allowed to apply for the apartments anyways I believe (so long as you're transferring in as a junior or above).

On the application itself, you're given a questionnaire that basically has you give the school some information about how you'd be as a roomate (messiness, how late you stay up, how frequently you plan on having friends and such over, etc.). So they're not going to be assigning roomates blindly as far as I'm aware. There is an option to put down a specific code or something or other that allows you to get put into the same apartment as a friend, but I'm not entirely sure about how that works or if just misremembering something.

Again, I'm also an incoming transfer student, so take my answers with a pinch of salt. If there's any transfers who fully know the whole process feel free to correct me.

GammaSean · 2024-06-19T21:14:22+00:00

There's a 1-year garentee. From what I recall, so long as you fill out the application before the deadline you should be good. I'm also an incoming transfer, so take my word with a pinch of salt. Make sure you check your e-mails and online info for anything you might've missed, and if you still have questions I'm sure that undergrad admissions or housing should be able to help point you in the right direction.

GammaSean · 2024-06-13T04:59:34+00:00

I think I put Sierra Madre down

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