ey!
So I’m struggling deciding between schools in relation to my financial situation. The schools that I like the most- Trinity and Dickinson, did not give me any money. I fell in love with Dickinson the second I stepped on campus. As an environmental science major, they offer extensive programs relating to that issue and are a community centered around sustainability.
However, they didn’t give me any money- even after submitting an appeal. My parents can pay for half of my college so the 64k a year price tag is a bit insane. That would leave me with 120 thousand dollars of debt after graduation. I understand its absurd, but I know I’d be beyond happy there and would be given amazing opportunities.
I also feel that Trinity (same price as Dickinson/same debt of 120k) would give me a better post-graduation job. Its name is better than Dickinson’s and has more prestige to their programs. Their environmental science program, however, is not a focus of the school’s. I feel like socially, it could be difficult to fit in at Trinity but if its the same price as Dickinson I might as well go with the better (possible) investment. I liked it, but it didn’t feel as right as Dickinson did.
Rhodes, DePauw, and Marist all gave me scholarships. Rhodes gave me the most, topping at around 22k per year (meaning minus the tuition, its cost could be covered with what my parents can pay). However, Rhodes, like Trinity, also does not have a great environmental science program. It is also in a bad city and is far away from me as I live in MA. With nothing to pay back, Rhodes is a great option. I just don’t know if its the best investment for my career regardless of being debt free out of college. I also did not visit.
Depauw gave me around 15k and Marist gave me 8k. Both of these schools have lower tuitions but they are also less competitive. I did not like Marist and I have not visited DePauw. Can anyone speak for Depauw’s environmental science program and their other academic programs? How can I benefit by going to DePauw.
I live in Massachusetts so obviously, cost of travel would be higher at Rhodes and Depauw.
In closing: I WOULD LOVE ADVICE. What do you think I should do? Can anyone narrow these options down? I need to go to a school with the best opportunities and options post-graduation. Regardless of how much I owe, I feel like I can pay back the 120k (or 0k) depending on the school and its opportunities. Any feedback would be lovely!!
I will probably work in the environmental or environmental tourism field after college, and know many people employed in all aspects of it, from managing water systems at a national park, to leading one of the major concessionaire companies which runs 3 out of the top 10 national parks. To be blunt, if you have any goals of working with the environment besides as a hydrogeologist for Shell in the middle of rural Oklahoma, $120,000 in debt would ruin those plans faster than you can imagine. It would also likely ruin your life but that’s beside the point.
Here’s my advice to you. Take it or leave it.
Go to Rhodes and during the summer, if possible, work with the Student Conservation Association. You can also take a gap year before college, while you get certified and work with various state and national environmental agencies. This will give you the opportunity to jump start your resume at a time when you can afford to not have to settle down. These positions range from trail restoration to wildlife management to interpretive guiding. The skills SCA alums gained from these programs have been used in everything from academia to gaining contracts to data analysis.
whenhen is absolutely right…and Memphis isn’t a bad city - tons to do - and likely you can find local internships that also connect with the Mississippi Delta and summer jobs with SCA as whenhen suggests. Rhodes is academically rigorous and a stunningly beautiful campus. You are right that Dickinson is THE best for what you want but that kind of debt is ridiculous. The Rhodes program is solid and think about actually making a difference in sustainability for the College, etc. You could be a really BIG fish in that pond and that could be resume building! The challenge there is that there will be a sorority system and it does have a southern “feel” and dynamic. But it is really really strong. GOOD LUCK!
In about 5-6 years, you are going to be happy you have not UG debt, if you select Rhodes. If you go with Dickinson, which is a great school, you are going to be hurting financially. That is over $1000 per month to pay back–after taxes! Tough way to start a life and career.
You will not be held back in any respect by going to Rhodes. It is a terrific school, with a nice diversity of students. If you apply yourself, you will excel.
Good luck!
We have met with a Rhodes counselor and studied the school. There is a lot to like about it.
Please check out the Southern LAC thread on this board and even PM the people who posted there about Rhodes. One person who is a Memphis-area native posted there and my view on the safety level definitely went up. Note: This thread is several pages, so you’ll want to scroll through for Rhodes only.
I do know of someone at DePauw and they really like it. I can’t give you any further details. But in my mind, your financially viable choices are Rhodes, DePauw and Marist, and you’ve told us you don’t like Marist. So make it between Rhodes and DePauw–do a comparison checklist of all the things you know and like. Also, feel free to call people in the departments where you hope to take classes. If they don’t have exactly what you want, which sounds more amenable to helping you figure some alternatives out?
Good luck!
Memphis is a great city. It would be a draw, not a negative.
I’d caution about committing to any college you have not visited, so go to Rhodes or DePauw NOW if you are seriously considering either. If you have never lived in the south or midwest, there will be a cultural adjustment for you.
$120,000 of debt would be too much for you and your parents to take on. Even if a 0% loan were possible, you would be paying back $1,000 per month over the next ten years. Forget about grad school, buying a house, or starting a family for a very, very long time.
Rhodes is an outstanding college. That is far and away the best choice, IMO. But do visit.
We visited DePauw during our college search - it was eliminated due to size (too small for S) and the town of Greencastle is nearly non-existant - just a couple of streets. Also, most of the school is Greek. However, we were impressed by the academics (S sat in on a class) and the students were very friendly. The President of the university spotted us across the quad (with our very obvious touring folders) and made the effort to walk over and speak with us.
Yes, Greencastle is small but it is more than “a couple of streets”. The population is 10,000. There is a Walmart, a Kroger, multiple fast food (7 or 8), 2 Mexican, 3 Italian/pizza, and 6 or 7 other type restaurants located in the town. There is also a two screen movie theater next door to DePauw that the students can attend for free (part of the student activity fee). Plainfield is a half hour away and has a mall, lots of big box stores, chain restaurants, large multiplex theater, etc… Indianapolis is 45 minutes away. If you are into hiking or biking, there is a nature park on campus with 10 miles of trails. Within 45 minutes of campus are 5 state parks. (Look up Turkey Run, it is spectacular)
Rhodes is an outstanding college, its science facilities are stellar, and the city of Memphis (the areas easily accessible from campus) is a nice city for students, because there are a lot of things to do, it’s not too difficult to get internships, and it’s not too expensive. There are gritty/bad areas but you’d need to make a special effort to get there. Overall, the sciences at Rhodes are better than at DePauw (that’s what Rhodes is known for), and since Rhodes is also cheaper, that’d make it your best choice in my opinion. 
If you were my child, I wouldn’t want you near Memphis. A good friend of mine is from there, lives in a very nice area, and is always complaining about the escalation of crime even in her area. Im guessing that it’s a factor when developing a strategy for fin.aid packages too. Colleges know their community challenges. Just like Depauw knows they have a small town that is a challenge for some people. Others, particularly those who have never experienced small town life, actually enjoy it. It bears mentioning that Greencastle is in a development phase and there are big changes coming to the downtown area, thanks in part to the stellar community grant that recenty received. The upside to Depauw is that it is a very safe school. Not much crime in and around the area. Also, they have an Environmental Science Fellows program you can apply for. Coming from the east, trying to chose school that is giving you decent dollars, I would choose Depauw.
But the “crimes” problems don’t affect the Rhodes campus, it’s not like Temple, it’s not even Trinity/Hartford!
DePauw’s academics are fine, althought Rhodes’ science offerings and partnerships are better.
Another criterion could be Greek Life: it’s rather wild/out of control at DePauw, which is very attractive to some students :p, but it’s also fraught with risks and unsavory behavior. Rhodes has non residential fraternities in order to curb the problem. Dickinson’s fraternities are mild compared to DePauw’s and have less of a Southern influence than Rhodes’ (keep in mind that chapters can be quite different from each other.)
You also mentioned Marist is affordable but you don’t like it - perhaps your reasons might shed light on whether the best “fit” is Rhodes or DePauw.
I have visited both Rhodes and Trinity. They are both really nice campus but Rhodes’ facilities are way better (library, science department, dorms). Also, the reason why I prefer Rhodes over Trinity is because of the city. There might be some dangerous neighborhood in Memphis but none of them are close to Rhodes’ campus. On the other hand, as soon as you step out of Trinity’s campus I can assure you that you do not feel safe at all. You’d feel completely safe on campus but outside of campus is pretty frightening.
Academically both schools are really good but I think your best option would probably be Rhodes : better campus, better neighborhood, and much more affordable because of your scholarships.
Op, facts are friendly. Check rankings and decide based on how much social life, safety, and type of environment you prefer. However it’s interesting to note one recent article that cited Memphis as the 3rd most dangerous city in the US. I’m not sure there is a real bubble around the Rhodes campus, but I hear it is pretty. And I’ve always liked the south. But Depauw does rank above them and I can testify to their great academics. Again, check your facts.
Marist I have never heard of but am interested now. Will have to check it out when preparing a list for my next child in line…
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Facts in case OP is interested in checking:
http://www.depauw.edu/files/resources/glac-position-paper.pdf
Dickinson ranks in a separate grouping:
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/dickinson-college-3253
DePauw, Rhodes, and Trinity all rank in the same grouping, the next one in selectivity compared to Dickinson’s.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/trinity-college-1414
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/depauw-university-1792/rankings
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rhodes-college-3519
(According to Forbes, Trinity and Dickinson are in one grouping, DePauw and Rhodes in the next one).
In my opinion, how likely OP is to want to “go Greek” or stay an “independent” would play a major role in his/her choice due to DePauw’s well-known and very large Greek scene - DePauw is one of the most heavily Greek colleges in the country, which can be a plus or a minus depending on the student.