<p>D admitted both with Emory so far $13K less p/yr. Assuming Fordham readjusts aid due to circumstances to close to Emory price as money is a big issue - which to pick? Emory-Oxford Campus has a seemless transitions to main Emory Atlanta campus after two years, but must APPLY to Goizueta Business School needing high gpa 3.6 at least. Not a guarantee, but can take business classes with approval and reapply next semester if don't make it the first try.</p>
<p>My S is very happy at Gabelli. Emory is an excellent school as well but I don’t know anything about the Oxford College - is every student guaranteed a place in the Atlanta campus after a year or two? If money is an issue, than depending on what Fordham does, your question may be a moot point. But in general I am leery of going to a college when you are not admitted into the program you want. I know kids (at UMich, not Emory) who did not get into the b-school as sophomore transfers and ended up having to choose between transferring or taking a major they didn’t want. 3.6 seems like a high GPA to require, but maybe check with Emory to see what percentage of students who apply usually get in to the b-school.</p>
<p>Well, what if Fordham does NOT come through? Then what? </p>
<p>Most business majors learn quickly that an MBA is a must for high achievement in business and sometimes even in entrepreneurial situations. </p>
<p>Save your money and avoid piling on debt.</p>
<p>Oxford College at Emory isnt the main campus and doesnt have the same penache, as far as I know. Yes, they transition nicely after two years into the main campus. And at the end of the day, your degree is from Emory and that is all that really matters.</p>
<p>Emory is a very prestigious and very rigorous school which routinely competes with Vanderbilt and Duke for the top students, and WashU Saint Louis. A degree from Emory carries a lot of weight. Its hugely respected.</p>
<p>Atlanta is a great town and good place to attend college. But its not New York (nor does it strive to be.) Culture changes are healthy in my esteemed opinion. They broaden perspectives and open doors. (Though some people never seem to get it and are basically insular and insecure and stay close to the tree trunk, never growing or changing.) Not saying going to Fordham means you are insular. LOL. Not at all. There are insular people at every college. </p>
<p>I am just trying to help you see the value of going to Emory-Oxford, if those are you only two choices and Fordham financial aid doesnt match their offer.</p>
<p>No matter what the money situation, I would try and go to Emory.</p>
<p>It has much more of a national reputation.</p>
<p>If Emory is $13K cheaper per year, then this is about as obvious of a no-brainer as there is. Fordham is simply not in the same league and Goizueta will place a lot better for the elite jobs in NYC regardless.</p>
<p>What happens if no 3.6? I think college may be harder than HS grades.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your imput. It is so nervewracking. Atlanta is farthest, and flights necessary from NYC area. Emory is the only one we haven’t had an opportunity to visit, and so costly last minute and D can’t miss school because of daily leadership duties. Well, there is also Providence which is reworking aid, and The Catholic University of America which seems to not be able to give more. We love Catholic presence and its ability to maintain and provide presence and growth in our faith so that is in our heads, too. Then there’s Babson, but they have a trashy sex column in their student newpaper so that really turns me off to wanting D to go there now. They are all great schools. D will have loans no matter what as we can’t pay what the net cost they come down to anyway due to circumstances. I am somewhat uncomfortable with the having to apply to Emory bus. school, but would it be worth trying and maybe having to transfer to say, CUNY-Baruch later if D doesn’t get in their bus. school? A non-freshman would probably lose much value to other schools and not receive high merit or need aid later so that would be a safety net, I think. We have to wait for revised aid packages to make final decisions, of course, which might point the course. The only debt-free options ( I really like debt-free, too), are good local schools, but D really wants to get off home turf and seems willing to have to loans if she holds to that. I am torn at even allowing that since I realize now what a burden it is, but am weak, and will probably. Holding my breath and ready to flop with stress!</p>
<p>^^please excuse me for being so direct, but you HAVE to visit Oxford at Emory if your D is thinking of attending; it is nowhere near Emory U and has a completely different vibe; it is not just about ranking, prestige and national recognition for the degree in this case…but fit</p>
<p>Very, very different from Fordham…on so many levels…</p>
<p>And I would additionally argue that students coming out of Fordham business who want to be in NY after graduation might, just might, have an edge with networking and alumni…Goiuzueta is very, very prominent in the Southeast according to grads that have attended…</p>
<p>And that is all assuming she is admitted to Goiuzueta after her 2 years at Oxford…</p>
<p>I know. Visiting is a problem. It is only two years there though, with access by school van to main campus and Atlanta. Then regular Emory campus. NY connections are great at Fordham from what I hear, of course, which is a big plus.</p>
<p>You are not alone. Lots of people go through this anguish and its always as stressful as whether you got in or not. It will be over soon.</p>
<p>Take a deep breath. Wait for the news and see, then decide and go with it.</p>
<p>Fordham is an awesome school. Being close to home has benefits. But being away does too.</p>
<p>Getting a 3.6 is not easy in college…requires really hard work. But can be done, if one focuses and does not party. Party animals are everywhere. Kids are kids and immature and wild kids are admitted everywhere. Catholic schools are no exception. The catholicity of a school relates to the courses and professors and administration…the kids will do what they do regardless. Immorality and drinking are at every school, trust me.</p>
<p>Smart kids who work hard usually pick kids like them as friends. Birds of a feather.<br>
If your daughter does that, she will be fine. But she must work and be self motivated and disciplined. </p>
<p>Being debt free from college is nearly impossible for most families. Few are lucky to have the income and savings to write checks without any debt. </p>
<p>But every family/person must make that decision alone and work through it. I can’t say taking on debt is always bad. I just caution about too much debt if graduate school or professional schools are a clear priority. For some, an undergraduate business degree works for them, they find jobs and go to work and never look back. </p>
<p>I know people at Fordham who have done that very successfully. For many kids after 4 years of college they are done. And they work…at least a few years. </p>
<p>If you can’t visit, I understand, but at least if you select Emory-Oxford, make an effort to get down there when school lets out so you can see the campus and dorms and get around Atlanta.</p>
<p>Prestige is often overrated as well. So long as you are attending a respected school, employers will hire those kids with excellent grades regardless. </p>
<p>I am not a fan of transferring. Though programs like Oxford and moving into Guoizeta is a good move and seemless if they are hard working and focused.</p>
<p>My kid graduated Phi Beta Kappa and worked to exhaustion most semesters, but it paid HUGE dividends in the end. Her friends all did the same thing. They avoided the party animals like the plague. They lived together on campus and had study parties…where they worked, laughed, watched some favorite shows and ate munchies. </p>
<p>Flights to Atlanta from New York are cheap and plentiful. Like 250.00 return most of the time, except Thanksgiving where they jack up prices awful. </p>
<p>Sit down together and talk about it…be calm, rational and logical. Write it down on a legal pad and all the pluses and minuses and what the goals are. </p>
<p>We had enormous stress deciding between 2 or 3 schools…and caused angst and a lost friendship. But its also healthy to attend college with new faces and people.</p>
<p>Can’t say Catholic University is a bad decision either. I dont know anything about their business programs. But unless your daughter is a wallstreet type, it may not matter. Lots of jobs in business…including non-profits.</p>
<p>Of course, I favor Fordham…but my bias is not your bias or situtation. Its okay. It will all work out. Once you decide, close the books on the ones you decline, look forwards and upwards and buy the gear and embrace your choice completely. </p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>God bless.</p>
<p>Thanks, sovereigndebt. Very good advice. I tell myself all that, also. Just going on about it. It’s good to hear the advice and thoughts of others. Thanks to everyone on CC.</p>
<p>Just cooking my homemade vodka sauce and going to have penne a la vodka and Italian sausage, etc. A delicious diversion from college stuff!!!</p>