<p>I received an early-write from Amherst, visited, and loved the school itself and the natural surroundings. It certainly didn't hurt that I'd also received a 25k grant for independent research (over the course of four years). </p>
<p>Tufts offered me a similar grant (10k over the course of four years, again). I knew I wanted the intimate feel of Amherst, but to be fair to Tufts, I hadn't actually visited despite being offered a free trip, due to lack of time. The major issue that's making me feel buyer's remorse is the cost of Tufts, relative to Amherst. Assuming I get the max amount for National Merit every year (2k), Tufts would only be 5k a year. This is half the cost of Amherst, a savings of 20k over four years. Money is tight in the family, and I'll be paying 90% of the cost of my education by myself with workstudy, loans, and 4k's worth of scholarship money.</p>
<p>I feel like I've made the wrong decision. Is Amherst's atmosphere significantly different from Tufts's? Did I just sign onto financial worries for the next four years (and during my grad school years)? Ugh, cold feet.</p>
<p>Personally, I feel you made the right choice. Even if you save $20,000 over four years, would it be worth it if you went to a school that didn’t have as intimate a feel? You got to go to the school where you will be happiest, and it looks like Amherst is the choice. Your buyer’s remorse is normal. At this time last year, I had buyer’s remorse choosing Rice over Duke and Emory, even though Rice was $25-30k cheaper a year than Duke and $15k a year cheaper than Emory. I still had buyer’s remorse, even though I saved my family at least $100,000 over four years. So what you feeling is normal.</p>
<p>I’m going to Tufts next year, but given the money situation even I think you made the right choice.
(unless your major is International Relations)
Good luck!</p>
<p>I live in Massachusetts and I know Tufts and Amherst (and Williams too, for that matter) quite well. Here’s my take:</p>
<p>Based upon your stated preference for “an intimate feel” to the school and the fact that you never even visited Tufts, your selection of Amherst was certainly understandable (as well as revealing) under the circumstances. I’m curious as to why Williams was not also in the mix but that’s a different issue. As far as the money factor goes, I don’t think that $20,000 more at Amherst over four years is significant enough to make a difference, especially where you are charmed by the Lord Jeffs. Amherst has a certain cache and prestige level and it delivers an excellent undergraduate education, so your choice was a good one that makes perfect sense.</p>
<p>Now, if you had not articulated (directly/subconsciously) such a strong attachment to Amherst, I don’t think your selection would be as clear-cut. I don’t know your specific area of research but I would rate Tufts better than Amherst in a number of academic concentration areas (including international relations, biology, and maybe chemistry). Tufts’ students are also statistically the equal of Amherst students in academic achievement based upon average GPA and SAT scores, so there is no difference in the intellectual caliber of the respective student bodies. Its fashionable for CC posters to sing the praises of Amherst (perhaps rightfully so) and denigrate the quality of Tufts (usually due to misinformation and plain ignorance) but the truth is that both schools are similar in overall educational quality. Amherst offers the classic, quintessential, and highly-prized New England LAC experience while Tufts offers the resources of a small research university and a coveted proximity to Boston.</p>
<p>Enjoy your college years at Amherst. I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for you.</p>
<p>At first I thought you were paying full sticker for Amherst and even though I’m not a fan of LACs, AWS >>>>> Tufts. You’ll have a ton of opportunities coming out of A and I really wouldn’t worry about 20k. If it turns out to be a huge concern, you go through a quick 1-2 year stint in consulting/finance, pay it all off and grab an extra credential.</p>
<p>After you graduate from Amherst, make your first car purchase an older used car instead of a new one. Voila - you’re back to even.</p>
<p>I love Tufts - I love the area and the campus. I love the unusual combination of disciplines that make up that campus. But for heaven’s sake, this is Amherst we’re talking about. Amherst! It doesn’t get any more special than that. As Soze said - “not even close.” You’re in the right place. Congratulations!</p>