<p>I am a transfer that has been accepted to Chicago EA and I hope to be accepted into the Honors College at SUNY Stony Brook, which is about 20 minutes away from where I live (though this is not a guarantee, so I would also like to know what you think if I do not get in there because it is very possible; I have already been admitted into the school just waiting on the Honors College)</p>
<p>I love UChicago, its been one of my top choice schools both during the freshman cycle and this year (I am currently a freshman at BC), and I plan to continue the physics major, which of course Chicago is well known for. Stony Brook however has a very good program in physics, and it would be a total savings of somewhere in the neighborhood of 120K over the final 3 years of school. Also, I love being close to home so that is a major benefit of Stony Brook. Money is not really a concern, as we can afford the cost of Chicago (its basically the same as right now as I am paying full tuition at BC), but it would give both me and my parents a huge break financially. Basically, is it worth it to give up Chicago for 3 years to save that much money? What would you do in my situation?</p>
<p>(says the Chicago student from New York state).</p>
<p>I'm a huge fan of the SUNY system, and if I weren't at Chicago I might as well have gone to Binghamton.</p>
<p>Studying physics at Chicago is kind of liking having tea with the Queen, not only because you'll get to know the department well and you'll meet lots of intensely smart physics majors, but also because there's this major sense of community and collaboration-- I have a handful of friends who are in the same physics class that meets at 9:30 am. Every time they have a problem set due, they come to breakfast and share answers with each other. </p>
<p>Also, somebody in my dorm is going to be going to grad school in physics and is in the middle of completing his BA thesis, but he still had time to help a bunch of lowlies in first-year physics with a question on a problem set.</p>
<p>I am not sure about honors at SB. When my D was accepted this seemed to involve pre-registration, dorm preferences, and a bunch of required liberal arts classes that my D was not interested in taking. Maybe your situation is different.</p>
<p>I have no doubt that U Chicago is absolutely a great school and especially for physics. You need to decide if the environment/college culture fits your personality and interests. You will need to work hard for your grades at U Chicago and, if you are the right fit, you can gain a lot from the rigorous environment. If you are not interested in that level of academic challenge, give a hard look at SB and save a lot of money.</p>
<p>I think I am the right fit for Chicago and I really do want to go there and be challenged..I am leaning towards it right now but I just want to see what people think about the money issue</p>
<p>Definately go to Chicago if you are able to pay for it and if you're the kind of person that belongs there (which I'm sure you are since they accepted you!). The education and experience you'll get there is definately worth it. It's my 1st-choice school too but since I can't go there (money problems), I'm advocating it to everyone else.</p>
<p>You will never get an answer to the financial question. Those without enough money would not have a choice. Those with lots of money would not be concerned. Only you and your parents can assess the importance of the extra costs and whether it is worth it.</p>
<p>Choose Stony Brook. No college is worth an extra 45k a year (Chicago's cost of attendance is 51k next year).</p>
<p>If you want opportunity, Chicago won't open any doors that 160k saved will not.</p>
<p>If you eventually want a PhD, only the school you get your terminal degree matters.</p>
<p>If you want to learn, you can learn just as much by yourself. Chicago's workload makes it hard for some people to learn what interests them outside of class.</p>
<p>If you want the intellectual experience, there are smart people everywhere, and there are people who simply don't care everywhere. If you find 500 people in Chicago that are intellectual in your class but only 100 at Stony Brook, 100 is still plenty for intellectual discussions.</p>
<p>Of course, if your parents are multi-millionaires and won't give you in cash the difference in cost between Chicago and Stony Brook, choose Chicago.</p>
<p>I vehemently disagree with the above. It is absolutely true that for some, what None said is true. But it is not and need not be true for all. It all depends on one's personal values--some people (like None) view things in very dollars and cents terms, and that's fine. But others, like myself, see a greater fit, a greater overall intellectual experience, and a greater dream as well worth the extra money, provided of course one can afford it, as the OP can. I don't claim that this is the correct view for everybody, but this matter is not nearly as cut and dry as a price difference. Only the OP can and should decide if it is "worth" the extra money.</p>
<p>thanks a lot for all the responses so far..I am really leaning towards Chicago as long as they take all my credits, but I plan to discuss it with my parents more when I get home from school in 2 weeks (the deadline to notify Chicago is June 1st). If anyone else has an opinion, it would be appreciated</p>
<p>Why are you leaving BC? I am just curious, because the reasons may give some ideas about whether Chicago or Stony Brook would be the right choice. I would go to Stony Brook, although I graduated from Chicago.</p>
<p>I really want the intellectual environment of Chicago, which is why it has been my first choice..but lately Ive been thinking that I might be happier close to home. BC was not diverse enough and is too much focused on the party scene for me..if I went to Stony Brook id be living at home, which I dont have a problem with, but I am going to have a lot of trouble turning down Chicago if I do do it.</p>
<p>I think you'll be much happier at Chicago. The intellectual stimulation, being and living around close classmates that are bright, and challenging yourself by living away are all reasons to go to Chicago.</p>
<p>Your reasons for leaving BC make perfect sense. If you try Chicago and do not like it, you can always go to Stony Brook. It would be a real pain to have three undergraduate schools, but it can be done. I personally was disappointed by the so-called intellectual atmosphere of Chicago, but that was me, and that was in the seventies. You are clearly extremely intelligent, and will do well at any school that you choose. It's more about you than the school.</p>
<p>Make a promise to your parents (and keep it) to pay half of the money they spend on your education at UChicago back (within 5-7 years). It looks like UChicago would be a perfect fit for you.</p>
<p>Well my parents have always said that they have the money to pay for the most expensive school for four years, and I believe them (we have been saving since before I was born), but that doesnt mean I dont feel bad about the price. My parents are also spending 40K a year approximately for my grandpa to live in assisted living, but my mom keeps saying dont let money affect where you go. I guess your plan of paying back half of it would make me feel somewhat better about myself.</p>