<p>I am an aspiring electrical engineer admitted to Georgia Tech and Cornell. Because I am an instate student with decent grades, I would receive the Hope scholarship at Georgia Tech and be able to attend for 12k a year, all of which would come from my parents. The issue is that I really do not want to attend Georgia Tech. I did not like the feel I got when I visited, and the ratio really actually does intimidate me. At Cornell, I received mediocre aid and, after 4 years of attendance, I personally would be in debt around 100k. I loved Cornell when I visited, and it has been a first choice for me since the beginning of my junior year.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech has a better engineering program, is a better deal, and perhaps more worth it from a financial aspect in the long run, but I KNOW I would be happier at Cornell. I also know that I would be able to pay off the 100k debt after college but having that much debt will no doubt inhibit my ability to go to graduate school (and I am currently unaware as to how companies treat bachelor degree holders vs. master degree holders).</p>
<p>I really need help, as I keep telling myself Cornell is best for me but, no matter which school I decide on in my head, I still feel regret.</p>
<p>A B.S. in EE will be plenty to get a good job. No grad school necessary, especially coming from GT or Cornell.</p>
<p>As a parent, I will never understand why someone would choose to be in great debt when they have a viable option for little to no debt. An engineering degree from GT will serve you well.</p>
<p>But regardless of the advice given, most people go woth their heart instead of their head. I wish you luck.</p>
<p>I think it’s a bad idea to take out $100 k in loans for college.You also can’t read the future, so don’t know what kind of job you’ll get after graduation.</p>
<p>I know people who’ve been very happy at Georgia Tech. </p>
<p>My advice is to go to Georgia Tech, and seek ways to be happy there. If you end up not liking it, then transfer after spending 2 years there.</p>
<p>Another option would be to take a productive gap year and then apply to schools you like and know you can afford.</p>
<p>If you convince yourself that you will be unhappy at GT, then you will be. Smart, productive people can make hay out of just about any situation, and you sound like a smart, productive person so I think you can do it. If you decide on GT, whenever you start to feel regret, just remember, it’s probably snowing sideways in Itahca.</p>
<p>$100k in debt is ridiculous. Engineers don’t get paid enough to absorb that kind of debt. The monthly payments would be about $1200 a month for ten years - that’s like 4 extra car payments - in addition to any real car payment! </p>
<p>Look at it this way. If you were to take out that debt, once you’re working, you would be so envious of your colleagues who could afford to move on with their lives while you would be stuck with stifling debt.</p>
<p>Ask the young engineers that you know if they could afford 4 car payments for 10 years in ADDITION to their own current expenses. I doubt you’d find any that would say yes.</p>
<p>Don’t go $100k in debt. If anything happens, like trouble finding a job, you’ll be in serious trouble. You could pay it off, if everything went smoothly, but not comfortably. GTech is a really great school for engineering, and you’d find your niche. Don’t be intimidated by the ratio; if you can socialize well, you’ll be fine. If you aren’t happy, transfer.</p>
<p>You could pay it off, if everything went smoothly, but not comfortably</p>
<p>This is an understatement. Even if you were hired at a good rate, you’d have to live at home to pay this off. That would require you to find a job near your parents’ home. </p>
<p>Former students on this board report that by the second year (of a 10 year debt), they are SICK of paying back their loans. At that point, they are lamenting that they didn’t take cheaper options. It’s only natural that when working hard and making decent money, not to get tired of sending a big chunk away for loan repayment - especially if cheaper options were available.</p>
<p>Young people have a hard time realizing that a $60k+ job doesn’t leave you with that much to spend. Federal and state taxes take a big chunk, FICA (Social Security) takes a chunk, rent, food, car/gas/car insurance, cell phone, utilities, clothing, etc, take a big chunk.</p>
<p>“after 4 years of attendance, I personally would be in debt around 100k.”</p>
<p>Don’t do this. It’s always the wrong answer.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that Georgia State is right next door and is majority female. Get involved with social groups on campus, and this won’t have to be a problem.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I never said I would be unhappy at Georgia Tech. Happier and happy are completely different, in my mind. And no, I am not understating the debt. I realize all the stipulations that come with it. I know I would probably have to live at home. I know that I will do as well with a GT degree as I would with a Cornell degree. That isn’t what is making the decision difficult. I am talking about where I want to go versus where I should feasibly go and whether I should go with my heart or my head, as arrdad said.</p>
<p>Also, Hanna, I am looking for intelligent girls. Tech: intelligent but sparse females; Cornell: intelligent and relatively plentiful females</p>
<p>I realize that the girl issue exists. But, no way is it worth $100k in debt. There are other cheaper ways of being around some smart and pretty girls.</p>
<p>where else did you apply? What other scholarships did you receive elsewhere?</p>