Right now it looks like I’d be graduating with around $20,000 in student debt from Cornell whereas from Vanderbilt and WashU I’d be graduating without debt. The fact that I was accepted as a Tanner Deans Scholar at Cornell is complicating this, I feel. Oh and Arts and Sciences at all of them. Thank you!
I would say no debt > debt. Suppose you decide you want to pay to go to grad school? How hard will it be to start your first job with 20 grand hanging over your head? Will you have to work a lot on campus at any of the schools?
Have you visited all 3? What do you think about weather, greek life, surrounding city, competition, etc?
I’m going to vandy because I wanted a rigorous school in warm weather with a spirited, collaborative, and social student body 
I love commons, the campus, and nashville.
I also liked Wash U and Cornell but I get seasonal depression in the winter and disliked the competitive environments I interpreted to be at those schools. I decided to put my health before all else and apply ED to Vanderbilt.
There’s no wrong choice here!! I’d be torn too between cornell w/ tanner vs vanderbilt.
@XCjunior2016 thank you for the response! I’d work at all of them and also think I’d have a good time at all of them. I don’t feel like I’m super into any of the locations (I think I’m content with all of them) but I think as of now, if money were the same Id want Cornell because there I wouldn’t really be a totally “regular” student because of Tanner Deans. Id have some perks and I assume that would look good in the future/during undergrad for opportunities and stuff. And at washu and vanderbilt I would be just another regular student lacking any I guess “hook.”
Vanderbilt or WashU for free! Absolutely no regrets, those three are peer schools. There is NO reason to take debt for a school that’s the same in reputation and quality as the others.
(And some may say Vanderbilt wins in the “weather” department).
Now, choosing between Vanderbilt and WashU: have you visited? Any preferences? Are you A&S undecided or any idea about what you’d be interested in?
@MYOS1634 oh sorry if I was unclear, Vandy and washu won’t be free (well I guess for me they would in terms of student debt, but my parents will definitely be paying). That’d be really cool though. Definitely with you on vanderbilt winning in terms of whether, but that’s honestly not really important to me. And I’m essentially A&S undecided at all 3 schools (technically I put down a major for Cornell, but I really am not sure what I want to study).
Another thing: I see what you’re saying with them having the same reputations, but realistically doesnt Cornell probably have the best?
Appeal to Cornell’s fin aid and show them the other offers you have. Hopefully they’ll budge a little
@debate4ever good advice, but already tried and they were very firm that they only price match other ivies, Duke, stanford, and MIT. unfortunately no admission/didn’t apply to those.
Wash U is about a 4-4.5 hour drive from Vandy. If you could fly into St. Louis or Nashville, you could visit both in a weekend.
I think Cornell has just a tad bigger rep, but not enough to overcome a $20,000 difference, especially if you’re not made of money. Probably in terms of the quality of teaching, they’re pretty even.
Now, if you wanted to work in Finance on Wall Street, or felt there was a decent chance – then Cornell would give you the easiest path to that. But if that’s not the case, just consider the standard fit variables, cost being one of them (and on the side of Wash U/Vandy).
@prezbucky thanks for the advice. I’ve visited all 3 and think I like vandy and Cornell better than washu (not 100% sure though, I guess). Vandy vs Cornell is kinda tough for me. One thing that im worried about is that I feel like I might be putting too much stock in the fact that Id be a Tanner Deans Scholar at Cornell vs just a “normal” student without any perks/reputation among faculty at Vandy (or WashU, for that matter).
Is this $20k the total for all four years, and is it just the standard Stafford loans and/or Perkins loans? If it is the Staffords, would you be expected to take out the maximum each year ($5,500 freshman year, $6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, and $7,500 senior year), or will your total be only that $20k? How much of the loan total is subsidized Perkins and/or subsidized Staffords and how much is unsubsidized Staffords? Remember, the subsidized loans don’t accumulate interest until after you graduate or leave college.
What is your likely major?
Most students don’t have trouble paying down the maximum Staffords. If you need loans above and beyond that is where you are likely to start to get into trouble.
I can’t answer that for you.
I can tell you that Nashville is a pretty cool city with lots to do and see. I’ve never been to Ithaca but I’m sure it isn’t Nashville.
I have seen plenty of photos of the Cornell campus, however, and it looks pretty nice.
Ok – if you can’t decide having visited them, look at these “fit” factors:
Academics: Which school has the programs and classes that most interest you? What about the ease of declaring a major, changing majors, and completing degree requirements?
Social: What’s the social vibe on campus, what’s the party and club scene like? Greek life? Sports culture and fandom?
Environment/Culture: Weather; things to do in the surrounding town/city like music, sporting events, art, museums; ease of getting around campus, getting out into the city, etc,
Dorms/Food: Self-explanatory
Cost: Ditto.
When you evaluate the schools based on those factors and combine these findings with the results of your in-person visits, hopefully a clear leader will emerge.
They’re all excellent. Good luck!
@happymomof1 they offered a federal direct subsidized loan and “Cornell University Loans.” When i said $20,000 that was a pretty rough estimate, but yes I’m saying after 4 years that’s what I’d graduate with. I suppose a more accurate number would be in the mid 20s, maybe 24ish thousand.
Regarding major, like I said I’m pretty undecided. Technically I was accepted into a major at Cornell, but I am not set on it. I will say that I do not plan on doing math, physics, Chem, bio (or pretty much any science I guess) if that helps. So yeah not really the math-y side of arts and sciences. but I do think I’ll stick with arts and sciences wherever I go. but maybe some kind of a business type thing. not sure. I think my indecision is pretty evident. But yeah if any of that info can help me make a decision, please let me know
@prezbucky thank you, I really appreciate the tips. yeah—im definitely trying to work through those factors now and probably up until right around May 1st
I’m sure you’ll make a good choice.
If you were pre-med or definitely pre-law, then the advice would be to head to the cheaper place because you will be facing boat-loads of med school or law school debt.
Given that those aren’t your case, this really boils down to how much you prefer Cornell, and/or how much you prefer graduating completely debt free.
So, all three are the same cost for your parents, but the difference in cost is yours ? Then you get to make the choice. It’'ll be * your * debt, and it’s reasonable debt to pay back.
Tanner Dean’s scholars gives you a high -level personal adviser, which certainly is nice, and about one lecture/networking opportunity or field trip.
Only you can know if that’s worth some debt.
I hate debt but Cornell with Tanner Dean is very tempting. Graduating with $20,000 in loans isn’t bad. In fact, it should be quite manageable if you’re aiming to work right after undergrad. You just may have to pick the highest paying job instead of the job you like best. That may be the issue - do you go for the money now or possibly later?
Will graduating with debt affect your career or major choice?
@XCjunior2016 I don’t think so. The idea is that I will “explore my passions” and “see where my interests lead me.” That’s my plan for college and beyond, at least as of now anyway.