Hello! I am a parent thoughtfully trying to guide my high school senior through a significant decision:University of Portland with generous scholarship or American University. She wants to study Biology and likes the environment at both campuses. We are facing the prestige vs financial aid dilemma. We did save for college, but consider that the savings could be used for graduate or medical school. Does any one have any experience with these two very different colleges. I know it should be about ‘fit’, but my child feels both fit. What are your experiences with the scholarship vs reputation colleges?
FYI SAT was 2100 and GPA 3.2, choir is her preferred past time.
Agreed, if you want political science, or anything related to international relations/development/diplomacy etc, then AU is the better bet but outside of that UP has competitive programs. I live in DC, and it’s quite an expensive city as well compared to Portland, so factor that in as well. [Full disclosure: I went to UP for undergrad but now work in govt in DC with a lot of AU grads]
For Biology, UPortland is actually better than AU. Better labs, more tenure-track professors for recommendations (bio will likely lead to grad school). Since it’s cheaper, in my opinion it’s a no-brainer.
