<p>My D just got her acceptance letter from Amherst today. She’s been offered the National Merit Finalist scholarship at Barrett Honors College (Arizona State U) We will likely get some financial aid from Amherst but not close to covering the cost of attending there. Would it be better to graduate with little debt (Barrett) or lots of debt (Amherst)? We’ve visited both places and they are like night and day in terms of size, weather, etc. Any advice out there?</p>
<p>Barrett Honors College is really great, and so is Amherst. I see your dilemma. I think that either way your child would get a great experience and education. My plan is this; to go to a good undergrad school, and a fantastic grad school. Barrett graduates have a really high chance of getting into an awesome grad school, so there is a bonus without the high cost. Perhaps she should go to ASU, at a less cost and go to a dream school for graduate? That way it is less cost. Also, the Merit Scholarship program at Barrett is quite good. Are you from out of state?</p>
<p>I think the answer lies in which college experience your D wants. Big school, big football, big city, big classes, big sunshine, ugly campus or small town, intimate setting, small student population, big snow, gorgeous campus. One of my friend’s sons is attending ASU-Barrett. He’s from a smaller town in Washington state. He’s on a full scholarship. It took him a while to acclimate both to the Arizona climate and the big school atmosphere. But after the adjustment he loves the school. He has amazing opportunities because he is a Barrett student. He got to go to Russia with a select few. He has access to amazing professors. This would not happen at ASU unless he were a Barrett scholar. So he gets the intimacy of a small college while attending a big university.</p>
<p>My D2 is going to Amherst. She would have been swallowed up at a big school. She attends a small, private high school and likes the intimacy of teachers knowing her. She is not a particularly bold person and needs others to make the first move towards her. Amherst will offer her the security she needs to thrive at school. She is really looking forward to the small college environment and even wants the experience of snow. </p>
<p>I don’t think there is a wrong answer in terms of scholastics.</p>
<p>A year ago I would have said Barrett, but I’d be a bit worried about the impact the huge budget cuts are going to have on ASU. You should seriously consider calling Barrett’s Dean Jacobs to talk about this budget question, and the two schools in general. He used to be a prof at Swarthmore, and has some really interesting insights on the comparison between a rigorous elite LAC and Barrett. He might just convince you!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your responses. It really helps to hear from others out there…this forum has been invaluable for those of us making our way through the college maze.</p>