full scholarship or better school?

Parents Forum
21

<p>I agree with everyone else to pursue all options and then see what makes sense. You may get financial aid, you may get merit offers, you may get both, or you may get neither.</p>

<p>I'm currently on a joint</a> full-ride to UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke and personally loving it, despite not wanting to go to either school originally, but obviously experiences vary from person to person.</p>

<p>What type of field you are going into matters (and others are right in pointing out that journalism is a field where starting out with massive debt is probably a terrible idea). The differences academically between the full-ride offering schools and the more expensive schools matter. The social and academic environments of the schools matter. Et cetera.</p>

22

<p>Assuming you can afford it go with the school you prefer. I made the mistake of turning down a T3 law school, which I really wanted to attend, for another which offered an endowed, full-tuition merit scholarship. One of 2-3/year. The second law school was T10and competitive, but throughout I had it in my mind that it was second rate and never really applied myself. I did enough to get the law review cred 1st year, to get a wall street job, and nothing after that. I just couldnt take it that seriously. On the other hand, it's possible that law school, after the first year, is just a waste of time where ever you go. But, No compromises / No regrets.</p>

23

<p>I'd say apply to where you want to go and compare packages. My ds got a much better offer at an expensive, well-ranked private than our local state u he was at the very top of applicants for -- go figure. After all the offers are in -- I'd take the full ride in most cases. What college you went to is only important for a few years, debt follows you for many and the economic opportunities you miss are very important.</p>

24

<p>This is a very complicated question. You have to consider so many different factors, many of which you may not be able to evaluate right now.</p>

<p>But for starters, I'd ask about how much money your family has. That includes projected income for the future, retirement plans, etc., as well as cash on hand. Also, what are your parents' values about education and money?</p>

<p>Then I'd ask why you want to go to college. Fun, love of learning, occupational training, get away from home, specific course of study? All are legitimate.</p>

<p>Then I'd want to know what the differences are with regard to the two schools.</p>

<p>Then I'd like to know what your personal track record as a student.</p>

<p>And maybe most important of all, how well would you do in a lesser educational environment? This is probably the hardest to answer. But some people just know that a big lecture hall would be fine and some people want to know that the profs will be available 24/7 to make sure that I get through.</p>

<p>For what it's worth, I went to a big state university with lousy teachers, but I had enough drive to get good grades and get into a great graduate school. Lots of my friends from high school and college have the same story. But a lot of people fell off the wagon along the way. Maybe if they had gone to Williams they'd be partners rather than paralegals today.</p>

<p>Also, for my older son, I'd mortgage the house and work two jobs if it would make the difference between him going to USC and UCLA, if that's what he wanted. OK, maybe I'm not that extreme, but you get the point. I love my younger son just as much, and he's just as smart, but he's not shown much interest in being a scholar, so it would be crazy not to take that into account when planning for him.</p>