Decision Time

<p>Now that its 10 days into April, I should be ready to finalize my college choice; however, Im still undecided. Here's a list of the schools that I applied to and their scholarship offers:</p>

<p>University of Miami: full tuition + national merit
Auburn (oos): full ride + technology stipend + $3500 departmental cash stipend
Boston U: half tuition
Penn State (oos): $3500 Schreyer Honors College scholarship
Tulane: $30000-$35000 depending on valedictorian scholarship
Villanova: $6,000 + national merit
Case Western: $20,000</p>

<p>Emory, UNC (oos), Boston College, and Texas (oos) accepted me without any financial aid. Im also on the wait list at George Washington, but I might take myself off if i can come up with a decision soon.</p>

<p>Although I am leaning towards Miami, any input will be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>U of Miami.</p>

<p>Run the numbers through this calculator: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Advanced Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid)</p>

<p>Right now it looks like Auburn is offering the best package. You should take a good long look at what the differences in costs that aren’t covered at Miami, Tulane and at Auburn work out to be. Does that full ride at Auburn cover living expenses as well? If so, it is significantly better than Miami where you would be responsible for housing and meals.</p>

<p>the scholarship at auburn covers everything, including books and room and board, which is why it is so appealing. </p>

<p>My parents are willing to pay the $13,000 for Miami, a school that i like more than auburn and tulane, but it would definitely be nice to be able to save up for grad school.</p>

<p>Are you certain that you will need grad school? Would you have to pay (Med or Law) or would the university pay (most PhDs)? If your parents don’t have to pay for college, will they help pay for grad school or some other thing?</p>

<p>Talk this over with your parents and see what you think. You have several good options. You really can’t go wrong.</p>

<p>I would choose University of Miami. It is a very fine school, well respected, and it seems like that’s where your gut is telling you to go since it’s the only one in tags and the one you said you’re leaning towards.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. Im down to three choices: Miami, UNC, and Penn State. My parents say that they can afford all three, but I think Miami might be my best option.</p>

<p>If you plan on going to grad school, then Miami is definitely the best choice. If you can get straight A’s at Miami you should be just fine.</p>

<p>13K per year? If so go to Auburn and I hate Alabama- put if its 13K over 4 yrs go to Miami.</p>