<p>Im facing a somewhat similar dilemma:</p>
<li><p>Cost – I’m looking at a 30K bill at Claremont vs. 15K at Santa Clara, not to mention that any outside scholarships I get will be deducted from my financial aid at Claremont. Money, is a pretty big deal, and I’d rather not take out a lot of loans if its not worth it.</p></li>
<li><p>Prestige/Quality of Education – How much of a difference will the name make at graduation? Is the consortium all it’s said it be?</p></li>
<li><p>Athletics – I’m looking for a school with a lot of opportunities for intramurals and games to watch.</p></li>
<li><p>Social life – A healthy party scene/social life, without it dictating all else.</p></li>
<li><p>Dorms – Are the one’s at Claremont THAT good?</p></li>
<li><p>People – Are the types of people at both colleges easy to get along with?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>By the way, my intended major is Economics.</p>
<p>CMC has really good prestige/quality of ed, athletics, social life, dorms, AND people. But from those I know who went to SC, all that is available as well. </p>
<p>But yeah, careful about taking loans... 30k is an awful lot and personally, I'd rather not have cumulative interest enslave my wallet after college.</p>
<p>Understandable. I'm here at Claremont with no FinAid. I had to take out loans for my education. I know where you are coming from. Why did I go to Claremont when i could have gone to a top UC and paid less than half? Investment. I really think that Claremont helps you get in to the job market. As mentioned above, CMC has prestige in business and in fields that make money. So, if i'm able to use that presige to get me a higher paid job, i can work to pay it back. I think in the short run- it is going to suck. But in the long, I will be better off going CMC and getting all it has to offer.</p>