<p>Is the difference $8,000 over four years, or $8,000 a year? That could make a difference in what we tell you. What is the net cost per year for each school, not counting loans and work study? If there is a cost difference, remember that financial aid offices will often match the offers from other schools. Get the coach to push them if you want extra push. Division 3 schools aren’t supposed to give athletic scholarships, but at some, the president’s scholarships seem to wind up going to athletes.</p>
<p>I like hearing that you could be happy anywhere. Some people are so fussy and perfectionistic that they get upset because Harvard says no and they have to go to Dartmouth and are miserable there (those people would have been miserable at Harvard, too). That means that you’ll probably be able to get a good education at either school.</p>
<p>If you really feel yourself fitting in better at School 2, then my recommendation would be to go there.</p>
<p>However, I’d like to give you one more thing to think about before saying that absolutely. Think hard about where you are more likely to get playing time. You are much more likely to see playing time at a Division 3 school. This complicates and perhaps conflicts with everything I just said in my post above, but one more question to ask yourself is, “Would I be happier at School 2 and not playing, or happier at School 1 and playing?”</p>
<p>Take a couple of walks around the block and think about this. You have until April 30 to make up your mind.</p>