FYSA- freshman year spring admit
NMS- National Merit Scholarship
Hi everyone! Thanks in advance for your time!
In the next eight days (in order to register early for classes at UTD), I need to decide between these two offers.
Cornell
At Cornell, I have been admitted to CALS for the spring semester and would have to make plans for the first semester. I am recieving minimal financial aid and will have to pay near-full tuiton to attend Cornell. While my parents have said that they would be willing to meet these costs, it would put them under financial strain.
UT Dallas
UTD has offered to meet the full cost of tuiton, fees, board and will provide me with a six thousand dolllar study abroad stipend. I would also have access to benefits like honors societies, research opportunities, and early registration. I have been accepted as a Microbiology student into the college. Another consideration for UTD is that Texas medical schools accept a high percentage of Texas residents to their medical schools.
My parents have suggested that if I choose to attend UTD, they can pay for graduate or medical school. I currently think that I will pursue a graduate program in the life sciences or medical school but ultimately I am not sure what I want to do yet.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks again!
I did make the same post in the Cornell section of this forum as well.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks again!
So, the difference in cost would be at least $200,000. UTD can get you where you want to be without spending that money. If that money could be spent on your graduate/medical school, it would save you a ton of debt. My DD’s had a similar choice and they did chose the scholarship. My oldest is graduating this year with a great job lined up. Because she isn’t going to graduate school, we are giving her enough to buy a car or down payment on a house. She and us, are in a much better situation than if we had to spend that money on her college. Prestige vs value, we chose value and have not regretted it.
Depends on what your goals are. What are you planning to major in within CU CALS? If it’s something that UTD doesn’t have and its your passion such as Entomology, then obviously no point in going to UTD. If you’re doing pre-med, go to UTD. Either way, which ever “life science” you into, make sure Cornell is going to give you that extra boost that’s worth 200K.
I Plan on majoring in enviromental science at Cornell. I know I am interested in the life sciences but I really want to take various classes and potentially a minor in the humanities. In truth, I still am unsure about what I want to do. I chose microbiology at utd because it is a very challenging program there and their enviromental science program is very lackluster. Sorry for any faulty formatting; I’m on my phone. @getoveritnow
Any other choices? UTD does not have a strong environmental science/humanties depts but is it worth spending over $200,000 for those choices? I was thinking A&M, ASU or Arizona, which have large NMF scholarships, could be a better choice. Are any of those schools under consideration? If not, that is a hard choice. UTD does have good STEM programs and can get you into medical/graduate school with money in your pocket. As @getoveritnow says. it really depends on what you want to do with the degree.
My other option is UC Santa Barbara Honors college for biology. As a California resident, I would pay in state tuition.
I did not apply to many popular nms schools because frankly cost was not really a big consideration until my parents and I sat down and discussed it after I got my acceptances and rejections. A huge lack of thinking on my part.
You might actually still be able to do something at ASU. When we visited the Barrett, which was very nice, I think they said they would consider late apps for NMF up to May 1st. This was a year ago. I’m thinking they were offering full tuition. The Barrett was more expensive for living, around $15,000/yr that you would have to cover, but that is not much considering the price of Cornell. They do have a good environmental science program. If that is the program you would like to major in, I would give their NM office a call tomorrow and see what they say. It may not be too late.
If you want to major in Biology, again UTD does have a good program in that and it would be fully paid for. They do have a high acceptance rate to medical schools and it could be a good choice but just not in environmental science.
Thank you for your responses. I really appreciate that you gave your time to help a stranger. I am not nessacarily interested in enviromental sciences; I just think that the ability to have more freedom to explore majors at Cornell appeals to me. ASU is a good option and I appreciate that you suggested it but I think I would prefer one of the three current offers I am deciding between over their NMS program.
It is clear that there is no right or wrong answer to my situation; I will be doing a lot of soul searching over the next few days.
@WindInOurSails
You’ve got some thinking to do.
Let us know what you decide!
Well my parents essentially told me they can not afford Cornell upon further inspection. I will be attending UT Dallas in the fall.
Thank you for everyone who read this thread!
We look forward to having you there! We were one of those full pay families as well and it did effect our decisions. Both of my DDs are doing great, having fun and have no regrets about the decision. Take advantage of all the opportunities that UTD offers which does include tickets to the symphony/opera, paying for dinners out with professors, research opportunities and travel abroad stipend. Be prepared to meet alot of people your first week and have fun!
Thanks GTAustin. Good luck to you as well!