Admitted? Now what?

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>As everyone probably knows, the date is coming closer to confirm students' college choice. I have been accepted to three different colleges and I am on a waitlisting for another (Oxford College). </p>

<p>Sweet Briar College, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida</p>

<p>I don't know which one of the three I should choose. It is quite difficult. Sweet Briar has the small classes, beautiful campus, and a better chance of an interactive relationship with professors. community housing. there is the negative side: $10,000 worth of loans. </p>

<p>UF has the better financial package. For me, it is a full ride, but there is not enough housing, so I probably will have to find someplace to off-campus to live. As a freshman, I don't think I need that kind of experience just yet.oh yeah, it is a huge campus (over 33,000 people). i don't know if i will like that. </p>

<p>USF: the financial package is okay. $500 loans and the rest is good. the dorms are better and I could one. oh and this is a big school too. comparable with UF.</p>

<p>Another problem is that I feel selfish if I choose a school where my parents will have to pay back a lot of loans. i'm getting scholarships, but as of how much, I don't know. the scholarship banquet at my high school is not until May 6th.</p>

<p>Go to USF, I agree with the not living off campus freshman year. Sweet Briar is not worth going into hock over, if you have other good options.</p>

<p>What is wrong with Sweet Briar?</p>

<p>Sweet Briar is a wonderful school but 10k a year for 4 years is 40k. Pop over to FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans and run the calculators to see how long that will take to pay off. Now think just what you could do with that kind of money.</p>

<p>See if you can find out about the scholarships before the banquet - tell your counselor that your college choice will be affected by how much money you get. And, find out which are renewable for four years.</p>

<p>I graduated from a women's college, and I know how special the environment is. I am not giving you this advice light-heartedly. My last loan was paid off when I was 34. Please be very, very clear about what you are getting into with your college loans.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

<p>Thank you. I have decided earlier to talk with my counselor on Monday and I will mention this.</p>

<p>Will you be in the USF or UF Honors Programs?</p>

<p>Sweet Briar is not close to being worth the loans. It is not Amherst or Williams after all. So that place is out. $500 in loans is not bad for guaranteed dorms so if you want the full dorm experience I would choose South Florida. Dorming is a a great part of the freshman(woman) experience and you should not miss out on it.</p>

<p>BTW you could call UF and tell them you want to go there but USF is guaranteeing dorms, since they gave you a full ride they might accomodate you.</p>