<p>I really, really, really really, really want to go to Cornell! It is my first choice and I was deferred ED but accepted RD. However, my dad is soo set on how he's going to pay for it. I recieved a full ride to an in-state school and I'm wondering if you think it is better to have to pay and go to Cornell or to go to The College of New Jersey on a full ride. If you think it's better to go to Cornell, how do I convince my parents of this? </p>
<p>I would definately go to Cornell rather than the other. Many students accepted by Cornell also are be "lured" by other colleges with promises of full rides and special honors programs, but in the end you can't compare them with the quality of Cornell University. You definately would have a better undergrad experience at CU. Choose wisely :D.</p>
<p>There's something about Jersey. I was waitlisted, but I don't know if I should just let it go and attend Rutgers (where actually get money BACK) or wait it out. I guess it depends if you plan on going to grad school. If you are, it'll be expensive. If you're not, I think it's better to have a degree with Cornell's name on it than TCNJ's. Think about that when you get your aid package.</p>
<p>Well for me, I put a threshold of about 5-10K on how badly do I want to go to my first choice (MIT). I'm using my own jargon, but basically I'm using the reasoning: if I have to pay less than 10K then I'm going to MIT; if not there is always Olin for free; plus I have't gotten my financial package from Cornell yet either.</p>
<p>Do you have your financial aid package yet, or are you just saying the full price tag? I know it's hard to pass up Cornell, but if it comes down to paying the full price tag, then I would go for half the price to Berkeley because many arguments can be made saying Berkeley is as good. It's hard! But money talks...</p>
<p>I got a 100,000 dollar scholarship to Johns Hopkins (92k to be exact) andddd yeah so basically I am in the same predicament as you, because I really want to go to Cornell and though my parents can afford both schools it's foolish to pass up this much money! I hate it... I wish Cornell gave merit based scholarships because I don't qualify for any need based stuff (I don't think) :(</p>
<p>Well, just wait and see what Cornell gives you for financial aid. </p>
<p>If John Hopkins' aid package is a lot bigger (I'm assuming it probably will be) then to be honest I'd go to JHU. I was faced with a decision between a $16,000 of grants per year at cornell or $22,000 of merit based scholarship at RPI or Union College. </p>
<p>For me, I figured in the long run I'd save about the cost of a car if I went to the others, and in comparison, I'd rather take the great four years.</p>
<p>In your case, if you don't qualify for aid, you are looking at giving up the cost of a small house. If you really want to come here despite the added cost, go for it! Just weigh the costs and bennefits. </p>
<p>I think you'll find that JHU is pretty much a peer institution to cornell.</p>
<p>2 days ago, I chose a second-tier private school (33k/yr merit based) over Cornell (only 5k/yr need based).
It was a hard decision to make among my final college choices, but I feel like I've made the right one.</p>
<p>If you feel like you and your parents can obliterate any debt you accumulate within 4 yrs of ur graduation, then go for Cornell. I, however, might be considering grad school. And though both schools would prepare me well, Cornell would come w/ a additional financial burden that may limit my options for grad studies.</p>
<p>You made the right decesion for you. Plus, I have friends at TCNJ and it's getting harder/more competitive and a better rep. If you do well there, you'll be GREAT</p>
<p>Thanks StPlayr, for your comments. I finally decided on JHU as Cornell only gave me about 10k per year compared to what JHU gave me.. haha. Congrats to everybody else with their decisions too! :)</p>
<p>SPX, hey im choosing between jhu and cornell as well. do you think that the engineering programs for undergraduates between the two schools are similar? I kno you said they are peer institutions so would my choice be more baised on FA or academics? Im a chem engineer major.</p>
<p>I'm from Jersey and had pretty much the same decision with Rutgers. I chose Cornell. No regrets at all. </p>
<p>And in a rather ironic way, I took some courses at Rutgers over the summer to get some classes out of the way. And I found that there is no comparison between a private Ivy and a pretty good public school. And the name really does matter. I was looking for summer internships recently, and the "Cornell" on my resume helped alot, I think. And I know that the big companies recruit only at the top schools. The Cornell degree really is worth its weight in gold. (or perhaps oil, nowadays...)</p>