<p>We are trying to choose between Washington University at St. Louis and other universities which are Case Western - 20K scholarship, Rutgers - same scholarship, Drexel University others with similar scholarships. The scholarships are attractive as it is a gift for working hard during high school, but the ranking of Wash U is attractive. Wash U is extremely expensive. A four year degree will cost over $100 K.
Please give us something to think about. Esp since our American economy is on the rocks.</p>
<p>Run the numbers here, and see if you have more clarity: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Advanced Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid)</p>
<p>I have no problem with saying that you should go with the best offer. All of these are fine institutions and your child can get a good education at any of them. I cannot see any reason for paying that kind of difference just to have a Wash U bumpersticker on your car.</p>
<p>However, if you have boat-loads of money in a college fund, your family may feel differently.</p>
<p>No question that Washington U is a great school but Case Western is also an outstanding college and at 20k per year less, a great value. What is the intended major?</p>
<p>Also, did you get any scholarship money from Washington U? I am just wondering how you came up with the figure of 100k for 4 years there. It should be much higher than that if you are full pay.</p>
<p>Thanks, no boat loads of money here esp with three kids to put thru college. Running the no.s btw, gr8 fin calc link thanks, running the no.s still Wash U is way to expensive.
Ranking seems to be an “issue” for me, esp bec I hang out with so many “Ivy League” Moms who make other schools all back ups.
But is Wash U a superior education overall? Worth footing such a high payout? I’m perplexed</p>
<p>No scholarship from Wash U. bec we missed the deadline and also, they don’t match other scholarships either. The intended major is mixed. A finance plus science major for completing some premed reqmts. She’s not clear about her choice of profession yet.
Yes, it is much greater than 100K.
But again, is ranking that important?</p>
<p>Ranking is not that important. USNWR works very hard to put all the institutions into a line, but the simple truth is that the difference between #1 and #20 may well be the difference between 1.00000 and 1.00020 on USNWR’s own scale. In other words, there is no statistically significance to the difference. Remember, even the IRS allows you to truncate at the whole number when you file your taxes!</p>
<p>If those “Ivy League” Moms are willing to pool the loose change from their kiddies’ trust funds to pay for your kid’s educations, fine. If not they have no reason to be criticizing your choice of education for your own child. </p>
<p>If the goal is Med School, then the undergraduate institution barely matters at all. What will matter is her over-all GPA, the GPA in the pre-med courses (and she could even get most of those at her local community college if it came to that), and her MCAT score. Med School is hideously expensive. It makes sense to keep undergrad. expenses down.</p>