So, a couple of weeks ago, I chose BU over Emory, as it gave me the most sensible financial aid package (Emory would be 15-20k/year more). However, as I searched through the web for more information/advice about my intended major and career plan (Finance+CS-> IB or Consulting), I started to only see recommendations of choosing more prestigious unis, and how BU Questrom is not a good school for entry into my planned career field. Naturally, I tried to search for some validation of my choice, but found none, as on most college forums, BU is not regarded well. Now, I am thinking about reversing my decision (Emory gave me time to change my mind), but I am yet again concerned about the financial risk that choosing Emory would put me in. This dilemma yet again prevents me from sleeping peacefully at night.
Emory(Heart tells me to choose this):
I like almost everything about this school more than I do about BU. In fact, I didn’t enjoy BU when I toured it at all
Pros:
- Better Dorms and Campus
- Better Academics
- Classmates going there
- Better for my program
- Best school in the area for business -> job/internship priority
- Semi-Target school for Northeast Banks/Consulting + Target School for Southeast IB and Consulting.
- Better Vibe (loved it when I toured; very similar to my current school's vibe).
Cons:
- Atlanta (car is a must-have there, which is another possible expense down the line)
- Uncertain and low financial aid. When I contacted their financial aid office before making my decision and asked them for more money, they sent me an email that told me about taking out "Parent PLUS loans" and more Federal Loans as an option for paying for it. What's funny about this is that I am unable to qualify for large loans, as my parents decided to move back to their home country this fall.
- Financial Aid needs to be renewed yearly and thus isn't stable. Their finaid office told me that students should expect the cost of attendance to increase every year as well.
- My parents CAN afford it, but it would suck my family dry of our resources after 4 years of my education if corona will affect commercial property prices longer(By "suck dry", I mean that my family would lose most of (65-75%) its assets).
- There's a chance of them decreasing my cost next year (based on change or circumstances) from what I heard, but it's still just a chance.
BU(Head tells me to keep this choice):
Pros:
-The T (no need for a car)
- Boston is a better city to explore
-Secured and locked financial aid package for 4 years, without a need for yearly renewal (basically a grant scholarship). Wouldn’t force my parents to sell some of their property (now it’s underpriced due to corona) to cover next year’s cost of college.
Cons:
- The campus is just a street (Some like it, but I don't)
- Didn't like the vibe.
- Old buildings + worse dorms.
- Crowded Northeast Area -> will have to fight for jobs/internships with Ivy students nearby.
- Lower outcomes
- Grade Deflation (the concept I hate)
- "non-target" school with little chance of getting into good IB or Consulting positions after graduation (from what I've read here and online).
- Likely would have to stay in Boston after graduation and suffer from the insane cost of living it has.
I get a very strange regret from this choice. When I rejected USC’s offer, as it gave me no aid, I felt nothing. No regret or wasted sleep. I knew I couldn’t afford it. This, however, is different, since there are more uncertainties at play.
I don’t know whether I should follow my heart or my brain here. I am literally losing my mind over this, as I feel that I am sacrificing my potential and career, yet I also feel like I shouldn’t take a risk and put my family under pressure.