I thing that you should go to Penn unless there it would cause your family financial hardship. That is basically what you have already committed to do.
I don’t have specific grad school placement info or anything for my friends, as we’re all sophomores now haha. My friend who turned down Cornell is actually one of my really good friends and my former suitemate. I’m not sure how she managed to get out of her contract-- I of course have no real insight into her personal finances-- but she does live in an expensive area (which could either mean she’s wealthy, or has no money from cost of living).
I wouldn’t let these commenters bring you down. It’s a legitimate question, it can help other Scholars in the same boat. Kids who get hurt feelings because they got rejected or deferred or didn’t get a scholarship (because lo and behold this is the first time the world doesn’t owe them something) will deal with it, or learn to grow up.
One senior Scholar won a Rhodes Scholarship this year:
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2015/11/northeastern-student-named-rhodes-scholar/
I do agree with @ohiovalley16 that this post could have been better timed. I do want to express to all of the applicants who were deferred or rejected however that NU is becoming more and more competitive every year, and even current scholars are astounded as to how we got into the program and do not think we would have fared nearly as well had we applied today.
Nevertheless, I am currently a Scholar and have had a wonderful experience with the program. The Director is easily accessible (she also directs the Office of Fellowships and is in the know as to how to apply to Rhodes, Mashall, Truman scholarships and the like). The program offers grant funding to do autonomous summer research, dialogues (summer classes abroad) for free - last year we had one on Climate Change to India, and another on Urban Space, and those students traveled to Berlin and Istanbul.
I have friends who have done co-ops at the US Embassy (in multiple countries), NASA, Genzyme, Apple, BBC, etc. these opportunities are not only limited to scholars, however I just so happen to have many friends in the program. I am interested in government work, so I have done a government co-op, one at an international non-profit, and I hope to create my own third co-op abroad (I am being intentionally vague).
The scholars program also enabled me to pursue opportunities that I did not think possible. For example, I currently sit on the Board of Directors of a non-profit, and I have friends who have started their own organizations. The scholars program provides you with the tools to succeed but it is up to the student to reach out and take advantage of the opportunities (while hopefully keeping other people in mind).
This information is more for the students who were accepted and are currently debating, rather than your hypothetical scenario, however I understand your curiosity.
For a high income family where the money truly does not matter, my guess is that UPenn is better and you should go there. You have the commitment … but it also was your dream school so go dream the dream.
But first, absolutely confirm with your parents that they can easily pay the $280K for UPenn and attend. It is a fantastic school that everyone dreams about. If you plan to attend graduate school and that would be a hardship, discuss that now … that is likely a valid financial issue, similarly with siblings, future elder care, near term retirement for your parents, etc.
If they don’t immediately say, sure that is not an issue (trust me there are many parents who don’t say no to Ivy apps, but really have no way to pay that much) … then consider the NEU offer and if true, turn down the UPenn offer due to financial issues and go enjoy the NEU program.
If you decide to go to UPenn after this weekend, then send a nice note to NEU declining this scholarship. There is a good chance they have already estimated less than 50% yield, but if not, they may reallocate the money.
Truthfully, you are a better candidate than the ones not chosen, so NEU would love to have you. So don’t feel guilty. You had a right to, and truthfully, UPenn is a long shot even for the best candidate, you just got tremendously lucky (and were highly qualified). Congrats.
Too many people buy into this idea that top kids can only have one opportunity and that is unfair if they hedge their bets or whatever. Good heavens it is only December, those who really want to get into NEU still have time and NEU likely has other scholarship programs available too.
@anon92244464 Would love to hear back from you on your decision. Good luck wherever you go!
If you need any more information/convincing about the scholars program - I’m a freshman currently in the program. Feel free to PM and I can send you my phone number to talk in person.
Does anyone know if denied Scholars offers are reoffered? I want to know if NEU might reconsider me for scholars once others decide to decline their offer.
@chromodynamics That is not how it works. Northeastern expects about a 50% yield so they will offer a total of about 200 applicants the Scholars program (ED,EA and RD) to yield 100 entering students.