<p>First of all, I live in New Jersey.
I have a strong interest in computers / technology, but am welcome to enter any new career fields, such as pharmacy / medical studies.</p>
<p>Tuition costs are as follows, all with dorming:</p>
<p>GA Tech - 38k / year
Rutgers - 17k / year
NYU Polytechnic - 18k/year
Columbia - 58k / year</p>
<p>For Rutgers, I got into the pharmacy program, which in 6 years I could get my full degree. Many people say this field pays well, but I'm not sure how the pharmacy industry is at the moment, and I'm not sure how well Rutgers' name is in my future job search. The main advantage though, is that after finishing my pharmacy education, I could go into the medical field.</p>
<p>For Georgia Tech, I'm not sure what type of engineering to do, but I'm leaning towards computer engineering or digital communications. I'm already certified in digital media productions and Adobe, but I hear visual arts is a hard road to go down, with low future salaries. As for the computer engineering fields, I'm not sure how the job market is at the moment or how good the salaries are. I also hear GA Tech has lazy teachers with very difficult classes. (Just a rumor perhaps?)</p>
<p>For Columbia, it's an Ivy League...and it's expensive. Our financial situation is difficult since my sister is currently at NYU Stern, cutting majorly into the family budget. For our FAFSA, our EFC was $5,056...so paying off all the expenses to go to Columbia seems difficult. Also, I was accepted into Columbia for engineering, which I supposedly ranks lower compared to that of Georgia Tech. On the other hand, Columbia's name will get me far. My parents though, caring so much about debt, highly oppose to me going to Columbia.</p>
<p>For NYU Polytechnic, it's reputation seems quite poor. Unlike NYU, NYU Poly is ranked as a 3rd Tier school on U.S. News, which worries me greatly. I hear the education is like that of any other engineering school, and since it is now associated with NYU, I assume it's popularity and name will begin to spread, but that feels like a gamble. The advantages are that I was given a lot of grant money and that it is close to the city, which is my setting of choice. Besides that, I feel that going to NYU for engineering would be a waste when I could go to Georgia Tech for engineering. (Or even Rutgers, since I was accepted into the engineering shcool there too)</p>
<p>I hope you can all help me, this is a huge decision for me and I'm incredibly worried! Many friends have told me to do what I love, but I'm not exactly sure what I love anymore. I also was recommended by a friend to "beg the financial aid offices" for more money, but I'm not sure how to go about doing that...since I can't really go all the way down to Georgia to beg for money. If anybody has information regarding this, that would be great.</p>
<p>In much gratitude,
The Razing Phoenix</p>