<p>hey everyone! I know these types of posts are a dime a dozen around here, but I could really use the advice. Ive narrowed my college decision down to Tulane and Boston University.</p>
<p>Financially, Tulane is a better option. It would cost me about 3000 out of pocket, and 7000 in loans. BU is 9000 out of pocket, and 10000 in loans. (annual costs). Yes, I know how great, theses prices are to other people, but it is still A LOT for my family. </p>
<p>However BU is closer to home (I'm from long island) and has an entire school dedicated to my intended major, (Communication). Finances, however, need to be a critical part of the decision given my family's less than favorable financial state.</p>
<p>I have visited BU and loved it, but I have not visited Tulane. Would it be unwise to go to a college I have not visited? I think I have a pretty good idea of what it would be like from lurking on here so much, but what can any of you tell me about it, something I might not have gotten from CC/the Tulane website/other college websites?</p>
<p>That’s a really tough one without a visit, but $40,000 in loans after 4 years is REALLY high. $28,000 is no picnic, but clearly better. If you get a good vibe about Tulane from everything you see on line, probably worth taking a chance unless you know that being that far from home is really going to bother you. However, 99% of students get over that pretty quickly, even those that swear they won’t at first.</p>
<p>Also, while Tulane may not be as specific on communications as some schools, you can get some great opportunities in New Orleans. Given the financial difference, Tulane might be your better choice in the long term.</p>
<p>If you have connections in the communication industry for internships (because, honestly that is what is getting kids jobs), it really doesn’t matter where you go…if, on the other hand, you do not have connections, in this case, and this case only, I think the extra $12,000 in loans to go to BU’s School of Comm may get you those connections…</p>
<p>I am very debt adverse at all…but you didn’t give us the choice of debt v no debt</p>
<p>Mind you, I think that Tulane is the better choice if you are not 100% sure you will be entering communications…and if someone has a better assessment of alumni connections from Tulane in the communications field please post…</p>
<p>You would have great opportunities in New Orleans (if you chose to stay there for either summer or after graduation) but I question if there is a “Tulane Mafia” in the New York area for comm majors the way a BU has…</p>
<p>There are certain schools that seem to have this alumni “mafia”…in NY/Mass communications, think Newhouse, Penn State, BU, FSU (for advertising), UMiami…there are others that seems to be coming up in the ranks…but haven’t heard that about Tulane…</p>
<p>OP - Actually I think this is a pretty easy decision. If you’re absolutely certain Communications is your future, by all means go to BU. Otherwise Tulane is the better choice. You’ll learn a lot from the different culture in New Orleans, and from students who come from all over the United States. Four airlines have direct flights to New Orleans from NYC airports, so travel is easy. JMHO of course, based on my knowledge of both schools.</p>
<p>I think the thing that makes it not so easy, even with the difference in emphasis on the major, is the money. $3,000 OOP and $7,000 in loans = $10,000/year cost as opposed to $9,000 OOP and $10,000 in loans = $19,000/year cost. So not only is BU about twice as expensive, but also the loan burden is higher. And presumably if the family can actually afford $9,000/year OOP, they could use that to virtually eliminate the loan at Tulane and so she comes out of Tulane nearly debt free.</p>
<p>Also, this is probably ignorance on my part, but it seems to me that one need not major in communications to get a job in communications after school. I would think there are a lot of related majors that, coupled with experience, could lead to great careers. For me, it still comes down to the money between these two schools.</p>
<p>I actually had the same exact dilemma - it came down to these two schools. I’m from the boston area so i wanted a new experience and went with new orleans</p>
<p>fallen: you are correct about getting a comm job without a comm degree assuming the student has the connections in the desired business to get the said job; unfortunately for the kids who attend universities without the comm degree, it’s all about personal connections and networking…in the city that they want the job in</p>
<p>for those schools of comm, their alumni serve as the “connections”…unless Tulane has a huge alumni base that the OP would have access to in his/her field…</p>
<p>You certainly don’t need a major in comm to work in the field though; back in the day (and with some firms now) an english degree from a top school was and is enough…</p>
<p>Of course, if the OP wants to stay in the NOLA area for internships and after grad, he/she will be more than prepared at Tulane to do that…</p>
<p>Wow everyone, I really appreciate all of the time put in to helping me. Your analysis and you kindness mean more to me than you know. Whereas I am not 100% certain Communication is the field I want to pursue, it is the field I am most interested in at the moment, which makes this decision even harder.</p>
<p>@thegreentea68 How are you liking Tulane?</p>
<p>Travel costs are also a huge concern for my family and myself. After going over the aid package, the 3000 OOP and 7000 in loans, only covers tuition and R&B, not the full estimated total cost of Tulane. My aid is 47,400 and the ETC of attendance is around 56,000. 7000 of my aid is loans. I don’t know where to go from here, as I am still unsure about what all of this will mean in the long run. :/</p>
<p>I actually am a senior in high school right now - so i’d be in your class next year if you decide to enroll. Come south you dont want the cold winters anyway</p>
<p>BU Loans: (including work study): 10,000
BU Grants: 37,550
BU TOTAL AID: 47,550
BU COA: 56,922
BU OOP: 9372
…Therefore attending BU means 9372 OOP+10,000 in loans totaling 19,372 a year.</p>
<p>TULANE Loans: (including work study): 11,500
TULANE Grants: 35,900
TULANE Total Aid: 47,400
TULANE COA: 57,084.00
TULANE OOP: 9684
…Therefore attending Tulane would be 9684 OOP and 11,500 in loans, totaling 21,184.</p>
<p>Basically, the price of both is pretty equal? idk and my parent don’t know/care about any of this. Please help! I’m desperate here</p>
<p>cocoa - I am afraid that, with the information you have given there is little any of us can say to help. You have equal costs at two schools that present you with different positives and negatives for you personally. I think you just have to decide if you want to go to school in Boston, which is closer to home, more familiar and therefore a somewhat “safer” choice for you or go to an entirely new environment in New Orleans.</p>
<p>I generally say don’t let your current choice of major influence you, more students change majors at least once than don’t. Try and decide which school, just as a school overall, appeals to you more. It is somewhat a gut decision in your case. Go with your instincts and then move on.</p>
<p>Have you factored in the travel expense for both schools. That can make a big difference, especially if you want to travel home for holidays and breaks.</p>