<p>So I've been accepted to Albright college, Montclair State University, Rutgers New Brunswick (Business school, Arts and Science, and Environmental Science), and Coastal Carolina. The only place I'm waiting to hear back from is The University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. As of right now I plan on focusing on either economics, international business, or entrepreneurship. I just wanted to know some opinions on which school to choose. Money is a factor and i received a $20,0000 scholarship from Albright and $5,000 from Montclair. I live in New Jersey. Also do you think I'll get into Minnesota and is there anywhere else I should apply?</p>
<p>My GPA-98.4%
SAT-1820 (Math-670 Reading-570 Writing- 580)
Senior Classes- AP Calc, College level physics, AP US History, History Research Seminar
I also have some volunteer and club stuff </p>
<p>Rather than looking at the scholarship look at the total cost.?
If you get into UM-Twin Cities as well as Rutgers, I’d pick one of those if you want a huge school known for research, with UMN being in a big city and Rutgers NB being more of a “real” campus; if you want a strong Liberal Arts school in which case Albright would be a good choice. I don’t think Montclair is a good choice among these different universities, it’s primarily a commuter school and it’s not nearly as good.
Be aware that for economics it’s always better to take as many math classes as possible.
Why Coastal Carolina, was it environmental studies?</p>
<p>Coastal Carolina was just the free application lol. I only applied because another friend did too, I’m not really considering it. Between Rutgers and UM which is the better school? I like both the big city and college campus aspect, but which would look better to potential employers in my future?</p>
<p>Neither will “look better” - once you’re at these schools, what will matter is how well you do. You will need to stay motivated on your own, despite distractions, because those are large schools so you need to stay focused to study 5-6 hours in the library every day (no, that’s not “what nerds do”, that what successful college students do :p), to sit in the front of the lecture hall and ask questions, etc. Of course, do not miss any lecture and not any discussion section (attendance is not taken at lectures so it’s very tempting to skip. For this reason, unless you’re a morning person, don’t take 8 am classes.) If you’re struggling (that means C and under, or even B and under depending on your goals) don’t bury your head in the sand thinking you’ll do better next time - go straight to the tutoring center. No matter what you do, put your classes first. In short, if you are outstanding, it won’t matter what school you’re attending.
If you’re shy, or if you want a close relationship with professors, or if you strive in a small-group discussion, Albright would be a better choice since you won’t be as anonymous as on a large campus.
Coastal Carolina is nice if you like the weather, the beach, and want some of their specialized majors. However, it’s not up to part with the other 3 (it’s kind of like Montclair academics-wise, but near a resort - 8 miles from Myrtle Beach - I’d actually give it an edge over Montclair academics-wise because the average student at Coastal Carolina tends to be a little more focused/driven).
So, to choose between all these schools, it’d really be a matter of personal preference… and whether you can comfortably afford them.</p>
<p>To go back to my original question:
what’s the total cost for each school?</p>
<p>Since you’re OOS for UMinn that could be unaffordable for you. Have you had your parents run the NPC on its website?</p>
<p>As for the other schools, have your parents run the NPC for those?</p>
<p>Have your parents said how much they’ll pay? If so, how much? IF you don’t know, then ask them.</p>
<p>Since money is a factor, right now, it doesn’t sound like you have a financial safety. A safety has to be affordable. You have to know that you have ALL costs covered. WHICH of your schools do you know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered??</p>
<p>My aunt works for admissions at a University and using my parents financial information she told us that I can go to Albright for $11,000 a year and Rutgers only $3,500 a year. I’m still not sure about UMN. So Rutgers seems like the place I’m will end up going, but I really don’t want to rule anything out.</p>
<p>For jobs in business what matters isn’t just a list of courses you take, except for perhaps accounting. The real key is internships and other experience. Probably a good idea in even accounting. If I were in your shoes I would really be leaning towards Rutgers. Getting through college with little debt let you consider more internships or a starting job with lots of potential that those needing money right away to pay off loans can’t consider.</p>
<p>I also echo the advice you’ve been given earlier. The name on the diploma is swamped by what you do. What I’d add is it just isn’t the courses you take or the grade you earn, but the other experiences that will really set you apart in the job market.</p>
<p>Minnesota has pretty inexpensive out of state tuition compared to most state universities. However, there has been pretty serious discussion about raising out state tuition lately. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the costs rise a lot in the next few years, before you graduate. If I were you I would lean Rutgers because of that.</p>
<p>Does Albright have many opportunities for international business internships? Reading has many businesses, but I don’t know how many take on students. You might have better opportunities in New Jersey.</p>
<p>Minnesota could cost an OOS student over $20K even after average need-based aid. Run their online Net Price Calculator to be sure, but I would think it should be out of the picture if cost is a big factor and you have a good alternative for $3500.</p>
<p>Albright is a meets full need school, I believe (and one of the very few that is that and also FAFSA-only). So if your EFC is affordable, Albright should be too.</p>
<p>Not saying it’s better or worse than any of your other choices.</p>
<p>OHMom - What a families EFC, and a ‘meets full need’ school calculates as their offer vs. what a family actually feels realistically works in their budget can be two very different things. The difference between $11k/year and $3.5k/year may be very large for this family. Their EFC is relevant only as a calculation for aid.</p>
<p>I understand. But Albright is one of the few schools where federal EFC should in fact be what the family is expected to pay, hence my “if your EFC is affordable” qualifier. I get Rutgers is cheaper but that doesn’t mean it needs to be the first choice if it isn’t for some other reason.</p>