Hey all, like everyone on this forum here I’m having a dilemma. Here’s the ol’ breakdown:
I’m going into Environmental Sciences for both, however for Cornell I’ve only been accepted into the First-Year Spring Admission program, which is kinda an iffy area for me. I’m currently a Californian but I’ve lived in the east coast for about 6 years before, so readjusting shouldn’t be too hard. Thinking of doing something medical-related as my career, but I do love the environmental pathways so I’m still keeping my options open.
USC-
Half-tuition Presidential Scholarship
McCarthy Honors College (very new and very nice)
Close by in LA (maybe /too/ close), but going to places is very convenient
Very social and warm atmosphere
Bit easier to keep up my GPA
Trojan networking
Cornell-
Not sure about financial aid (if any) yet
Ecology House (allows pets, yessss)
Amazing nature areas, open space and places to see (+their bird stuff, I love birds)
Rigorous coursework and different environment would prepare me well for a whole lot more
Obviously the Ivy name
Alumni networking more spread out
So, should I take USC and hop right in for the fall semester, or wait it out and try for the Cornell spring semester?
For Cornell spring admission, it looks like you have the option, but not the requirement, to take courses at another college during the fall. May be an option to graduate from Cornell paying 7 semesters of Cornell costs after 1 semester of community college costs.
Cost definitely has a bearing in my decision, as my parents are only thinking of funding me ~20k a year, and the rest I’ll have to borrow or work to pay it off. And unless I somehow get a super nice scholarship to take a chunk out of that 70k/year for Cornell, it may be a bit out of my league.
After graduation I am thinking of going to med or pharmacy school, maybe even vet school!
Both are excellent, so I would say go with USC, the sure-thing, lower-cost option.
While your undergrad school may not factor in 10-20 years down the line of your career,
your levels of debt certainly will…
You’re obviously a smart kid as you’ve gained entrance to two really top schools, so don’t be fooled into thinking of Cornell as $70k+ of debt each year – instead think about it as $280,000.+ debt upon graduation.
And that’s before factoring in compounded (rather than simple) interest.
Are your parents contributing the $80k over four-years out of savings?
If not, how much and/or what will that money be costing them?
According to a 2015 study by Mark Kantrowitz, students who graduate with excessive debt are about 10% more likely to say that it caused delays in major life events, such a buying a home, getting married, or having children.
They are also about 20% more likely to say that their debt influenced their employment plans, causing them to take a job outside their field, to work more than they desired, or to work more than one job.
You’ve got a seemingly tough decision as Cornell is a great place, but to me it’s a no-brainer…
@hop Thanks a bunch for the reply! I think that they are contributing the majority out of savings, yes, but as for how much it will cost them I’m not quite sure. Might be something I’ll discuss with them about! And while USC is lower-cost, it’s still going to be pretty expensive at around 40k/year.
However, if I choose Cornell, would it make it easier for me to get into grad school (given that my grades are good enough, of course) compared to USC? Or would it be basically the same?
