Big decision to make, need advice

College Search & Selection
21

<p>By the way, in the interests of full disclosure, I'm a Syracuse grad. I am very familiar with the summer program you are talking about and it in and of itself is a wonderful opportunity. </p>

<p>I made it through Syracuse on work study, summer jobs, grants, and years of paying off student loans. I NEVER had a summer vacation from the year before ninth grade until after I graduated from college. Didn't see it as a problem because I knew I was going to be the first one from my family to walk down and get my college diploma at the end of it. </p>

<p>Was it worth it? Absolutely. I've never regretted the effort it took - It is one of my proudest accomplishments. Call me shallow if you want, but I would not be sitting here in a beautiful house in Southern California with a swimming pool in the back yard, regular vacations to Europe and Hawaii, and both kids in private school, if I hadn't put the effort in way back when. The hard work was worth every second in the end but if you don't see the long term benefits, then Zagat is correct: perhaps you are not ready for college. </p>

<p>Call and ask if you can defer for a year and still keep the scholarship intact (assuming another trip doesn't arise next year). If you can not, and decide to go to Alaska, PLEASE PLEASE let Syracuse know immediately. I am sure there are plenty of kids out there who would love this opportunity and Syracuse may still have time to offer it to someone who really wants it.
Good luck to you.</p>

22

<p>I really feel you should go to the summer program, and pay for the trip yourself at a different time, even if it means skipping the gala or waiting until next summer. (The cost of the trip is minuscule in comparison to your chance for a college education, and your grandmother may jump at the chance of going with you another time, you never know. Have you talked to her about your dilemma yet?) I understand that you must be very disappointed to have to make this choice, but can't imagine giving up your chance to go to school for a trip that really can be taken at another time.</p>

23

<p>Thank you all for the input</p>

<p>I've sent in the paperwork to accept admission, though my prospects for a vacation are rather slim - we are trying to see if we can reschedule the trip or squeeze an extra day or two from the university, but I suppose $160k for college is a better deal...</p>

24

<p>Anarchy, good move. I will keep my toes and fingers crossed that you will still be able to go to Alaska, if not now, then next summer. Best of luck to you at Syracuse - I had a great time there!</p>