<p>I have to decide between two schools that I really like.</p>
<p>The first one is a public school with a small campus that will accept all my duel credit courses but won't accept my AP scores. They have the program I want to study, an excellent intern program, public transportation, and many school activities. It's near the central of the city so it's easy to get to places. The school spirit is unbelievable and everyone seems very friendly. I haven't heard from their financial aid office yet but I'm hoping to get a scholarship there. </p>
<p>The second school is a small private university that only has want I want as a minor. They take their religious teachings seriously and put an emphasis on volunteering. I've looked on their website and it looks like they will accept my AP scores along with my duel credit. They don't have too many clubs but there's two I can see myself involved with. Their academic rigor has a good reputation and I've heard from students that their library is amazing. However, besides not offering my major they also do not have the language course I plan on studying. Besides those two things it's a very great school. </p>
<p>I was thinking since the second school already offered me a very generous scholarship I could go there if the first school doesn't have offer as much. My mom thinks it could be good to get the minor there, studying the language with an online school, and then transfer to the other school with an associates degree. Any opinions on that too? I'll be done with the great majority of my general education courses by the time senior year is over.</p>
<p>How much they offer you is irrelevant. It’s what the cost is after the offers that counts.</p>
<p>Say School 1 is $20k per year and they give you nothing. School 2 is $40k per year and they offer you $15k. School 2 is still $5k more expensive.</p>
<p>Even if you take cost out of the equation, School 2 might be a great school, but it sounds like a poor choice for you. You would have to make too many compromises to your planned course of studies to go there. Based on your description, I don’t even see why it’s in the running, at any price.</p>
<p>Even Harvard can be a poor choice if you want to be a mining engineer.</p>
<p>Scholarships will most likely be gone if you apply as a transfer, just know that. In my opinion, the first school seems like the better option if you can get the scholarship. If you have already taken most geneds, like you say you have, the associates will probably be a waste of time for you. I would make sure to really go through the list of requirements for the associates degree. </p>
<p>My guess (based on personal experience from going the AS -> BS route) is you will likely have fulfilled a lot of the requirements, but it will still take 2 years to get the degree because of the way the scheduling works out. This means you will fill your schedule with a lot of electives, which are interesting but will not help you much toward your bachelor’s. Then you will transfer to the other school, where most of your courses will not go towards graduation requirements. You will then be at this school with no scholarship for ~3 years, finally graduating with your bachelors. </p>
<p>Obviously getting a scholarship or graduating within 4 years is possible. But I would be very careful and make sure you do a lot of research and planning before taking that route.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice everyone!</p>
<p>I really needed some input on these two schools. It’s been hard to decide but it does look like the first school is the better option.</p>
<p>
Are you sure the School 2 really offers an AS? How often does School 1 accept transfer students?</p>
<p>Also, wait until you do or don’t have $$ from the public school before you consider costs.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>School #1 seems like the better choice. A lot of things can go wrong with a plan to transfer… If I were you I would apply to school #1, but see if you can find school’s #3 and #4, too (school #2 just doesn’t sound like a good choice – don’t go to a school that doesn’t offer your preferred major, period).</p>
<p>FYI, my D1 had studied a language offered at very few colleges. She ended up just completing language studies in another more common language at her college, but was able to study abroad in the country where “her” language was spoken and learn some more that way. Another option to consider, and it expands your university/college options.</p>