I recently was accepted to Brown University, one of my dream schools for a while I did not think I was going to be accepted to. Words can’t describe how it felt to see an acceptance letter when I was expecting an automatic rejection. However, I do not qualify for much financial aid at Brown and would have to fork over full price to go. I have spoken with my parents and, with the price considered, they could be able to pay it after loans are taking out. That being said, I currently have a full ride merit offer from UNC as a Carolina Scholar. I’m very torn over this choice. Is it worth it for me to pay in full for Brown or should I accept the offer from UNC? My intended interests are Public Health and Business Administration. I’m so caught up in having to make this decision and while I find pros with making one choice, I only find cons for it an pros for another. What should I really be considering here? I’m very glad to be done with this stressful process, but it seems as if I have stressful decisions to make now :)))
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My intended interests are Public Health and Business Administration.
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With what eventual career goal? Are you going to be able to easily pay back those loans? Do you intend on going to graduate school? Also, please note that Brown doesn’t have a business administration concentration.
OP has three threads on this topic, 2 on UNC-CH v Brown and one on UNC-CH v Stanford. So far, OP has not responded to requests for info on how much debt / whether his parents can handle the debt / whether he will be expected to pay the debt.
OP, if you are going to have to pay the loans, think hard about turning down Carolina Scholars. You have the satisfaction and glory of an admit to Brown and to Stanford- and the choice of a debt-free degree from a top tier university.
It is hard to overstate the value of that freedom in just 4 (surprisingly fast) years. You will be able to take jobs based on your interest in them, and their career potential, not your ability to service college debt. If you go to grad school (& both Public Policy & MBAs are expensive) you won’t be piling debt on to debt. There is no dimension in which UNC-CH will limit your ability to follow any path you may choose.
On the other hand, if your parents will take on the debt for you, and it’s not a big deal to them, what the heck- choose the one that makes you happiest.
Doesn’t matter as the answer remains the same = UNC on full scholarship.