<p>So, I've been accepted to both. But one of the biggest problems for me is deciding where to attend. I'm not sure what I want to major in but I heard that it really doesn't matter where you attend as an UG. I live about 40 minute away from Davis and a lot of my really good friends are going there. I was planning on rooming with them and enjoying my four years at Davis. However, my parents are urging me to choose Hopkins, because of its prestige. Another deciding factor is the huge amount of Hopkins' tuition, nearly $53,000. Davis's tuition is only $9,000 for California residents and $28,000 for nonresidents. I've also received a $10,000 grant for Davis while only a $6,000 grant for Hopkins. So, my ultimate question is, is it really worth it to travel all the way out to Baltimore, Maryland to spend the next 4 years of my life away from family and friends at Johns Hopkins, which is almost double Davis's tuition? If I do end up going there, I'd have to take out a loan. Wouldn't this be too troubling to pay off after I graduate? And, finally, does it really matter where I go for UG, as long as I do the best at the college I attend and shouldn't I just stay close to home and near friends until I'm ready for a big change?</p>
<p>P.S. I've extended the deadlines for both colleges until May 10th</p>
<p>Have you visited Hopkins? Why would your parents be encouraging you to take on debt? If they are willing to pay for the premium then O.K.. Since you would seem more comfortable at Davis, go there. It's a fantastic school.</p>
<p>Yes, I've visited the JHU campus. It's really lovely but I know I'd be more comfortable close to home at Davis with my friends. I would also like to hear some opinions from some more people (whose views may be tainted because they went to a UC) too; no offense UCBChemEGrad! I want to be comfortable and have fun, but not at the expense of jeopardizing a wonderful Hopkins education.</p>
<p>Since you are more comfortable both personally and financially attending Davis, that is where you should go. If finances and distance from home were not considerations, perhaps you would make a different choice, but they are and that is quite reasonable. UC Davis is one of those up and coming UCs that keep getting better, and students are very happy there. I think given the info you have provided that you should go to Davis and save the savings to apply towards future education.</p>
<p>i go to JHU. if i were you, that's where i would go, especially for that major. there is plenty of personal attention to be gotten here, especially in upper level classes. the education is amazing, and so are the research opportunities. i don't know anything about davis.</p>
<p>I'm unbiased...or if anything, biased towords JHU because I'm from B'More. I say go to Davis. You feel like you'll have a better time there, and that matters. It might not mattr enough to counter the fab JHU education/prestige if all else was equal, but all else is NOT equal. Factor in the money issue, and UCD, which is also very good school, starts looking like the right choice. (Remember there are hidden costs of college as well as tuition...travel is one of them).</p>
<p>Just to clarify, UCD costs about 25K total/yr including tuition and fees and housing. You got 10K in FA (or is it Regents?), making your total 15k/yr.
JHU is 53K minus 6K, making your total 47K/yr. Over 4 years the difference is 128K. Is it your parents' expectation that you would assume 128K in debt, or would they have the means to cover all but a small annual loan?</p>
<p>Secondly, you obviously applied outside CA, but since then realized you prefer not to be so far from home. Do your parents know you have had a change of heart about that?</p>
<p>Go to where you want to go... Ignore the crap about JHU is more prestigious... You will actually enjoy your time at college and get the most out of your experience if you go to the school that you like best...</p>
<p>I wouldn't necessarily go to UC Davis because your friends are going there. Not challenging yourself by going into a too comfortable situation is stifling of potential personal growth. You usually don't accomplish good things in life by taking the easy road. It seems to me that more doors and possibly more importantly your mind will be opened by going to JHU. Things like campus feel and financial considerations are also important, though, and really aren't the type of things that people can answer for you.</p>
<p>Going to Davis bcos your friends are there is the absolute WRONG reason to choose it. If money was similar, I'd easily recommend a private school over a UC, particularly as fees WILL be going up as soon as the Legislators get back to Sacramento. However, while a fantastic school, JHU ain't work $100k more.</p>
<p>Getting away from home is a great thing...did you apply to any other UC schools?</p>
<p>Cybershot, let me make sure I understand the particulars --</p>
<p>Your parents want you to attend JHU, and for YOU to assume the debt? Or will they pay for it?</p>
<p>If YOU assume the debt, you might consider telling them you'd be happy to attend JHU if they'll pick up the loan debt. but NOT SO FAST. In many families, the support of the parents in retirement will likely fall to the children about 15 years or so after the children graduate college and have the OWN children to support. Your parent's debt might become your debt 15 years down the road, since they'll be paying back ovef $125k in loans with money that comes out of their retirement fund. It is possible for this debt service to come back to you in the form of "we'd love to take that trip son, but we can't afford it. Remember, we sacrificed to send you to JHU."</p>
<p>It's an odd thing that parents sometimes become dependants in a role reversal. In anticipation of your future caretaking role, you need to think of the whole picture here. Unless your parents are rich of course!</p>
<p>First you gotta figure out how much debt you'll be in from attending JHU and how much debt (if any) you'll be in from UC-Davis. Without this comparison, you're not really comparing apples to apples.</p>