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.
Hi rankinalexis,
My son is a student at AU and LOVES it, but he’s not in the School of Communication so I don’t have any first hand knowledge about it. He will also have about $22K in loans (federal subsidized and unsubidized) when he graduates. We thought that was a manageable amount of debt, but you’re right, it doesn’t beat free.
However…
You’re right about the amazing internship opportunities in DC, and it’s very easy for students to get around using the AU shuttle and the Metro subway and buses.
I’m an unabashed advocate for AU as my son is thriving there, even though it costs us a lot more than other schools he’d been accepted at. I think it’s important to follow your passion, if doing so won’t cripple you financially for years to come. His decision was clear when we visited American after having visited about 20 other schools and he said to me, “Mom, I think this is where I’m supposed to be.” Almost a year later, he still feels that way.
On the other hand, if you chose AU, you’d also have to factor in the cost of travel between Michigan and DC.
I don’t envy you with this difficult decision. Good luck!