<p>Hello everyone,
Finally, I decided to join you!
I just received a likely letter from Penn. I couldn't be more excited. I guess dedicating 15 years to my favourite sport really paid off.
Anyways, I never taught I get into Penn and now I have a really difficult decision to make.
Before receiving the likely I had my mind set up on Northwestern(full ride). But now, I don't know what to do. I am an international student and I will be applying for financial aid if I decided for Penn. So my questions is: is Penn worth paying 10000-20000? (I expect to get at least 30000 from fin aid).
I want to study international relations and french.</p>
<p>I’d go with Northwestern, unless
a) You have 20k a year laying around to be spending on college
or
b) Penn is FAR more prestigious in international relations</p>
<p>As far as I know, neither Northwestern or Penn are particularly prestigious in international relations, so no advantage there.</p>
<p>I personally don’t see Penn as being worth 20k/year when you have a full ride at Northwestern.</p>
<p>You need to do some research on the two schools and see which sounds like a better place for you. There is more to them than just the name and fees!</p>
<p>Well most Ivies (Such as UPenn) offer full scholarships to accepted students. Unless you’re an international student that applied as not requiring need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>P.S. Northwestern has historically been ranked around #13 in the country, while Penn has been ranked around #9 (with an anomylous big move up just this year). Unless you’re in at Wharton, I don’t see how Penn will offer any greater education, experience, or opportunities than NU will. You could even say Penn without Wharton might be ranked below NU. However, the weather is not the same – if you hate cold weather, and you can afford the delta in price, Penn might be better.</p>
<p>If you truly have a full ride at Northwestern, I would take the full ride. Northwestern is a great school and I don’t think the change in prestige is worth the $40K-$80K difference you’d have to pay at Penn (and it may be more, since you don’t know what your package would look like).</p>
<p>Sally_Ruberstone: As a recruited athlete, the process for a d1 school like northwestern is completely different. I just contacted the coach and showed him my athletics and academics stats. If he thinks I have a chance then we make a verbal commitment. </p>
<p>CalvinTBOD: Penn does not meet need blind aid for international students. I heard that the maximum Penn had offered in the past was 75% to a kid from Africa.</p>
<p>DunniLA. Thanks for the post. I guess that when I see it from your perspective, NU seems almost equal to Penn.
PS: No wharton from me.</p>
<p>You are in a great spot - congratulations! I would look at the athletic programs and coaches. Big Ten vs. Ivy - is there ia big difference in your sport? Do you care? Is there one at which you will feel significantly more comfortable? Also, The is the “pretty suburb of Chicago” vs. the “gritty neighborhood in Philly” choice. You will do well at either, but if there is a significant financial difference, would lean toward Northwestern.</p>
<p>Here is my situation:
I loved the Penn coach. He put a lot of effort trying to get me admitted into Penn. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything he have done for me.
The NU coach is very nice too. At first he didn’t show a lot of interest, but now that I told him I am considering Penn, he is practically begging for my commitment. I heard that rejecting an ivy league letter is really bad(like the coach won’t even speak to me afterwards).
I like Penn a lot, but I am afraid of getting a not sufficient aid. I don’t want my family wasting so much money in an equal education.
How should I approach the ivy league coach if I decided to go to NU?
The worst thing is that I have to make a decision this week. Hell, I am scared!!</p>