<p>I need advice in making one of the most difficult choices of my life !!!!
I got accepted to both University of Michigan and Barnard College (Women's college with Columbia Univ affiliation). UMich offered me a full ride for the first year, no loans... However if I attend Barnard I'm looking at around $4,000-$5,000 per year in loans and I would have to work. Barnard is absolutely my DREAM SCHOOL, but I really do like UMich... I can't decide between the two !!! I feel like Barnard would provide me with more opportunities, but is it worth the student loan debt ? I come from a very low-income family so paying back the loans will fall solely upon me and I am considering grad school. OPINIONS? HELP?</p>
<p>Sincerely,
A confused student :(</p>
<p>ozieBee, there are probably others more qualified to answer this, but here are some thoughts. Very few students get a full ride to U of M, so congratulations! Barnard and Michigan are very different schools. Why is Barnard your dream school - is it the smaller size? location? I would argue that Michigan will afford you many more opportunities than a small school like Barnard. The programs and services available at a large, prestigious, public university like Michigan cannot be matched by a small school. I’m aware of the affiliation with Columbia, but at the end of the day, your degree will come from Barnard, not Columbia, unless you transferred, correct? </p>
<p>It sounds like money is a concern for you and your family and that being the case, and your desire to avoid debt, you should seriously consider Michigan over Barnard. There are ways to make U of M feel smaller (via learning communities, the RC, freshman seminars) if that’s one of your concerns.</p>
<p>I question your thoughts that Barnard will provide you with more opportunities than Michigan but I understand what attracts you to Barnard. Both Barnard and Michigan are great opportunities but they are like comparing apples to oranges so it is impossible to objectively say that one is better than the other.</p>
<p>I don’t think Sportsmom knows much about Barnard. Barnard students have the right to cross register with Columbia College so they have the benefit of Barnard’s resources and Columbia’s resources. I believe the diploma says something like “Barnard College of Columbia University” but I don’t exactly remember. Barnard is a unique opportunity for a young woman and I was very impressed with Barnard when I went there with my daughter on a visit.</p>
<p>If Barnard is your dream school then I think you have to give careful consideration to whehter you are willing to assume the debt to go there. In the grand scheme of life $20,000 is not a huge amount of debt and if costs keep going up as the have been the sum may seem trivial 30 years from now as you reflect back on your choice. </p>
<p>I don’t think you can go wrong either way as long as you don’t feel like you are settling for Michigan. If you really like Michigan then go to Michigan. There isn’t any reason you shouldn’t really like Michigan but your heart may not be following your head. If you choose Michigan with hesitation and think you will have regrets then chase your dream.</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations on your excellent acceptances…and great aid/scholarship packages. Well done indeed! </p>
<p>Secondly, go with your heart. A $20k debt is perfectly reasonable. But make sure you understand the ramification. Working while in college is not ideal.</p>