Hi everyone! Like a lot of you I am trying to decide on a college by May 1st, but I never thought it would be this hard! I was accepted to the University of Michigan early action, and have a full ride in terms of need based financial aid and merit scholarships. The university will pay for everything, including a 4 year loaner laptop, and I will hopefully graduate debt free. I am from Michigan so the school is familiar (at this point, after several visits and events there - they are super heavy on recruitment initiatives) and I know friends that are attending, and the prestige, resources, and opportunities that could be provided are endless.
All of this sounds great, and I was all set to accept, but then I was admitted to American university. Getting in didn’t surprise me, but how much I would like it did. They have a School of Communications and as a prospective journalism major, I fell in love with it. Even the classes that weren’t specific to journalism were so interesting to me, and I could see myself taking and enjoying every single class within the school of communication. I was also admitted to a 160 student scholar program that would allow me to conduct research and attend a unique first year seminar etc. However, the financial aid wasn’t as good (although it’s hard to beat free), as I would graduate with 22,000 in debt (excluding loan interest). This doesn’t seem like a lot, especially when yearly tuition is 60k, but to a financially challenged person who has the opportunity to go to a prestigious school for free, it is quite the difference.
My main problem is that U of M doesn’t have a journalism program that comes any where close to Americans. Their school of communication, location in D.C., and endless internship opportunities as well as study abroad are highly enticing, and I would be willing to sacrifice U of M for it all. If I went to Michigan I would be pursing a double major in environmental science and English or communications, however this doesn’t excite me like American does. Their communication degree revolves around mass media, mainly Television and radio, and I wasn’t as interested in this side of communications.
I feel completely torn, each situation is win/win and lose/lose. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas, opinions, support, or a similar situation. I have less than 12 days to make a decision and I don’t know how I will do it.
Post in michigan site and I’m sure you will get a lot of info on michigan offerings
I would suggest you take the free option. Michigan is a great school.
Also post on the American to see their reaction
Don’t forget transportation costs
UMich also has a undergraduate research program. Also, have you looked at their Communication Studies?
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/students/academicsrequirements/majorsminors/communicationstudies/majorcommunicationstudies
I’d absolutely go to MI for free. You can try to do a semester in DC (my D has a couple of friends who went to American for a semester) to get an experience living there.
UMich, hands down.
Journalism is like going into social work, but with less employment security. It is a rapidly shrinking field full of experienced out of work members, and numerous new grads. Go with the money here. You can find a more satisfying major at Michigan. How do you go from environmental science to journalism?