<p>My son has been accepted at College of Charleston (SC) since December and we sent his deposit in immediately. He has also been accepted to the Honors College. His heart has been set on CofC since he visited. He is thinking about international business, but is undecided. We are from West Virginia.</p>
<p>Son's West Virginia Promise Scholarship notification just came in the mail. He has full tuition to West Virginia University, plus another smaller scholarship to help with room and board. He has been looking at studying abroad and realizes he can use his Promise scholarship for the international exchange program. We may not be able to afford study abroad at CofC. Suddenly son is terribly unsure of what to do. The difference in cost to us will be about $80,000 over four years. Whatever we save now will be available to him for graduate school. We can just afford CofC... just...</p>
<p>My gut feeling is that CofC is a real fit for my son. I hate that it is 7-1/2 hours away, but I can live with that. I think CofC is a better school than WVU, but is it that much better? Son is a good student, but only works to the level demanded of him. I'm afraid he'll just cruise at WVU and not put in the effort he could.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on the choice between these schools based on the finances? Thanks!</p>
<p>What a tough decision! I think you are to be commended for being so thoughtful about your son's options. There are several factors to consider. The most important thing when searching for colleges is finding a good fit, which you/he managed to do admirably. However, there is also a time to be practical. If your son decides to go to graduate school, his tuition/costs will likely be taken care of. If he decides to go to business school, cost is a very real concern. I suggest sitting down (ASAP) and carefully examining your options. Working during the summer can alleviate cost, and working during the school year can lower costs as well as providing good experience. Internships as a junior or senior can pay quite well. There are often scholarships or grants offered by the government for study abroad or foreign language study, so that should not necessarily be the deciding factor. The question seems to be if it's worth paying more for a better fit, and only you and he can decide that! Finally, keep in mind that the decision need not be locked in stone. If he decides to accept WVU's offer and ends up not liking the school, transferring is a viable option, although it shouldn't be encouraged from the get-go.</p>
<p>I am of the belief that college is the time to explore. If you can afford it, and the child feels the fit, then explore another part of the country. We are fortunate financially, so we told ours to 'Go away, if you do not like it you can always come home. If you don't try it, you may spend your life wondering....'
We're paying for undergrad. Grad school has always been on their dime.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you for the advice. When my husband and I talked things through with our son, it was clear he really wants C of C. We will bear the expense now. He will have to make his own way for grad school. I truly think this is a decision we can all live with and our son will be happier for it.</p>