<p>My friend also received the same scholarship as me and told me that UCLA overestimates its price so UCLA will likely be less than 1k for me. </p>
<p>This is a huge dilemma for me because I REALLY want to go to Northwestern! It's actually my first choice! However, financial aid did NOT come through for me whatsoever (they skewed my EFC to be way more than what FAFSA reported); if the packages were the same, I'd definitely attend NU.</p>
<p>My problem is that I'm undecided (although at NU, I'm technically a journalism major at the Medill school of Journalism which is still awesome because double majoring is sooo easy!) and I want to get away from my home to find independence (Chicago will definitely be far enough... LA is way too close hahaha).</p>
<p>HOWEVER, it all comes down to money! Graduating with or without debt is a HUGE difference and to be quite frank, if I somehow get my parents to send me to NU, my sisters will be harping me about the loads of money I'm "wasting."</p>
<p>How do I convince them otherwise? How do I convince MYSELF that NU is the right choice (I'm incredibly frugal and my brain automatically jumps to the cheapest while my heart goes out to NU)? </p>
<p>UCLA and NU are both GREAT schools and I'm soo blessed to have this option before me... but I'm so incredibly conflicted! </p>
<p>Do any of you have any experience with this? I tried combing through threads, yet I always go back to the money issue. Should I appeal my FA offer? Will it likely work?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for reading and thank you ahead of time if you respond. Any input whatsoever will be greatly appreciated!</p>