<p>* I’m still just struggling to decide if the extra money for a more competitive school is worth it over bama or dayton. I’m getting the maximum scholarships at bama with the stipend. I have a 32 act. 4.2 wgpa. Dayton i’m eligible for 55k+ over 4 years. so it will still be fairly expensive. I just gotta wait till I have all the money offers and acceptances in front of me.*</p>
<p>So, you will get the full tuition scholarship PLUS the 2500 per year scholarship from Bama. </p>
<p>*dayton is in a really depressing, unsafe area. *</p>
<p>Bama is in Tuscaloosa which is a very pleasant mid-sized city. And, the city was named “Most Livable City in America” a few months ago. </p>
<p>Do you know what your family contribution might be? </p>
<p>How much will your family pay each year?</p>
<p>What if you change your mind for engineering though? Vandy and ND are two of the biggest brand names you can have on your resume if you seek to make any sort of career switch or progression. You would be closing some doors for sure if you turn these two schools down in favor of Alabama</p>
<p>Oh really? Which ones? There are VERY, VERY few majors or careers that would make a difference…and those ones aren’t ones that Vandy or ND would help either.</p>
<p>Suzy I’m FROM Dayton (centerville more specifically), I LIVE in Chattanooga Tennessee- and Have for all 4 years of high school. So my horizons were very expanded (: And to be fair, basically every city in the midwest is declining haha. The midwest in general is not doing well and is fairly depressing. But thats not a deal breaker for me. I’ve seen Tuscaloosa and I’d call it livable. I wouldn’t exactly say its a great city. It is a nice little town though. I’m from a fairly high income family, and while I don’t have the exact number, my parents have said that they can pay the large price tag on these expensive private schools. With that being said, it is certainly nothing near ideal. We would have major major cut backs and things would be tight. I would more than likely take out a loan instead. So it’s just determining whats worth the money or not.</p>
<p>Would it be worth it to pay 15k more just to go to ND or Vandy, or is it really not an issue? ,</p>
<p>all of them have extremely high placement</p>
<p>I have a 32 act. 4.2 wgpa. Dayton i’m eligible for 55k+ over 4 years. so it will still be fairly expensive.</p>
<p>If you’re from a high income family, than the difference would not be $15k per year. The difference would be like $40k per year between Vandy or ND and Bama. </p>
<p>You’re right that Dayton would be expensive if you’re given about $15k per year. The remaining costs would be about $30k+ per year. </p>
<p>Have you asked your parents if they will help you with a home purchase or something else if you save them some money for undergrad?</p>
<p>Another factor in picking the school, is that each school might have more local recruiters.
Therefore, the school closest to home, might provide you with job opportunities in the neighborhood you are most comfortable with.</p>
<p>I went to engineering school in NY and had offers in NJ and CT, but I grew up in western PA.</p>
<p>If you go to Notre Dame, would you be willing to relocate to the midwest?</p>
<p>Location is not too big of a factor for me, as long as its on the eastern half of the US. Ideally I’d live east coast and maybe farther south. But like I said, I’d be content in the midwest if that’s where the job takes me. My parents said they will support me with what I need. But clearly the more I can help the better. Just because we could afford the high price tag does not mean that’s something I want to put my family through. They are not going to let me just become homeless, they will give me the money I need to support myself, but clearly it’s up to me to become independent soon after. I would like to be as little of a burden as possible.</p>
<p>I don’t think any one of those is more highly recruited for engineering than another and all are ABET certified. You are aware of the ties between UD and Wright-Patt which offers great internship opportunities. If possible you should visit each one and see which appeals more. If it’s still close let the numbers (aid) decide.</p>
<p>Internship opps are important. Bama has ties with Cummings Research Park…the second largest research park in the nation…filled with Fortune 500 and other techie companies. Also internship opps at Redstone Arsenal. My son did one with RA…very good pay for 3 summers straight…plus opps at Christmas.</p>
<p>I understand your tough decision, and I commend you on thinking about your parents. More kids posting on CC should.</p>
<p>I live about 1.25 hours from ND. Did you do a really good visit? Did you visit SB in the winter? If you decide on ND, be sure you will find entertainment on campus, because it sure won’t be in SB, and in spite of what people may tell you, day trips to Chitown don’t happen all that often. Also, the winters are terrible, and long.</p>
<p>I have 2.5 years left around here before I retire, then I’m out as fast as possible.</p>