Dilemma!

<p>As I suppose many other CCers are, I am caught between a rock and a hard place concerning acceptances and financial aid... and need some advice from someone who's been there and done that.</p>

<p>I've narrowed down my list so far to:
Stanford (if I am accepted)
Rice
William and Mary (Monroe Scholar)
UT Austin (Dean's Scholar)
Yale (also, if I am accepted)</p>

<p>I am not receiving any money so far ... so assuming I do not, which of these places is it worth paying full price to go? Which would YOU choose? Take into consideration I may choose to attend med school... Help!!!!</p>

<p>I'd wait until you know where you are accepted and what financial aid comes with each offer. No need to sweat the decision when all the acceptances aren't in yet.</p>

<p>This is a debate I have had with folks on here for over a year. It all depends on how bad you want to attend a certain school. Some feel saving money and not going into debt is worth going to a less prestigious school. Others feel going to an Ivy is worth any debt accrued, no matter the amount. It totally depends on what it is you want out of life. For me, I was going to an Ivy no matter the cost. Why? Not for the prestige. No for any type of snobbism. Because I came from a family who was very poor and no one went to college, going to an Ivy was something personal for me. It meant all of my years of hard work and struggle paid off. I don't care if being an Ivy League graduate brings me a greater job/income. I did it simply for my own personal gratification, no matter the cost. Instead of trying to figure out which schools will bring you a brighter future (although its ok to do so), think about what you truly want in your heart. That's really all I can tell you. Don't go simply on financial matters, either. You have to choose on how you feel. Coming from an older student, I'm here to tell you you will have debt no matter where you go in life. Debt is virtually unavoidable. In life, you just have to pick and choose which things you can handle going into debt for. For me, an Ivy League education is worth the debt.</p>