<p>I got accepted to both schools. I really really like Mercer better. UGA, not so much. Sure, it's a great school but the size is a turn off for me. </p>
<p>Let's compare my finaid award for both schools.</p>
<p>University scholarship ($15,000)
Hope/GA tuition ($4,100)
Pell Grant ($4,731)
SEOG grant ($4,000)
Federal work study program ($2,000)
Perkins Loan ($4,000)
Parent Plus Loan ($2,549)
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan ($3,500)</p>
<p>Total cost of attendence for '08-09 = $39,880</p>
<p>I feel uncomfortable knowing that if I attend Mercer, I'll be graduating undergraduate school with about $40,000k+ in loans. However, I feel like Mercer is where I belong... wierd, I know but it's true. Should I go to UGA instead, even if I don't want to? Argh, choices.</p>
<p>Yes, go to UGA. Mercer is a fine school, but it doesn't offer anything beyond what you'll be able to enjoy at UGA. I don't think it would be worth carrying those loans.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. My counselor told me that UGA would be the better choice but I don't want to go to UGA and regret going there... even if it's a much much cheaper route.</p>
<p>I understand how it might seem. It's hard to know the future, and right now all you have is your gut instincts. It may even be true that Mercer is a better fit -- right now. However, once you get to UGA and jump into your classes, the social scene, new friends, Athens, etc., you won't have much time or inclination to worry about what might have been at Mercer. You'll be far too busy, and if you pick the right activities, you'll be having far too much fun. And come graduation, you'll have far more opportunities and choices because you won't have to be concerned about paying debts and/or taking calls from bill collectors. You'll have more options for graduate school, volunteering, internships, etc., because financial burdens won't be as much of a concern. I suppose I could be wrong, but I strongly doubt you'll regret it once you have the chance to put it into better perspective down the road a bit.</p>
<p>I just found out I can go to UGA debt free! I got a letter in the mail today saying that I was selected as a Coca-Cola First Generation scholar which gives me $5,000/year. That means it'll cover my work study ($3,600/yr) and loans ($647/yr.) which leaves me with an extra $753 to spare. </p>
<p>I'm pretty excited about this but I'm still stuck on Mercer. That, and my parents don't think much of UGA and would rather see me go in debt and attend Mercer than go to UGA for free... argh. Someone slap some sense into my parents and me. :/</p>
<p>Well, it all started when I visited Mercer last semester only because my friend wanted to visit there and I decided to tag along because I had nothing better to do. </p>
<p>It just felt right. I talked with the professors in the department I want to major in and immediately fell in love with it, talked with some of the students there, the campus is beautiful, I like the small class size, etc. I just like it and thought to myself that if I didn't make it to my top 3 schools then I would be happy here. But in the same time, I'm not sure if it's worth the debt, you know? </p>
<p>But it doesn't matter what I like better because my parents isn't letting me go to UGA. They read the letter about me getting the scholarship and told me to withdraw my acceptance from the school because they think private schools are always better. I kind of wish I can convince my parents that is not the case, but what can I do? My parents just don't listen. :/</p>
<p>My D looked at Mercer and it is a very nice school and I was much more impressed than I thought I would be. As a parent, Mercer feels very safe and everyone is very friendly, etc. However, I don't think it is worth the loans, unless you're going to major in pharmacy, pre-med or nursing. Mercer has terrific track records in those areas.</p>
<p>Sorry, cross-posted. Are your parents willing to pay any of your loans? Can you ask Mercer to review your financial aid package? The year my daughter graduated several of her friends had their scholarships increased as students began to turn down their offers.</p>
