<p>im not a parent but a child of one...so take this as you may:</p>
<p>would you guys go to a college where you knew no one but was getting a 10k dollar scholarship (total cost would be about 32k) and 49 credits, or go to a school where you know the layout, have a bunch of friends , but are only getting 40 credits and it costs 42k...</p>
<p>my dad and mom have no problem sending me, but i know it will be an expense for them and i feel terrible. the schools, academically, are similar, with loyola maybe being a bit better, but i have visited loyola numerous times and i love it there; whereas i do not know the first thing about st joes.</p>
<p>Have you visited St. Joes? Also I assume you are talking about Loyola Marymount but I have no idea of what school St. Joes is. Can you provide more information? Are they similar in size of school, classes etc.? I also assume that Loyola has offering you only 40 credits transferring in (are these AP classes?) and no scholarship but St. joes is offering 49 credits and 10K a year in scholarship? Is the scholarship tied to maintaining a GPA? Is there a "grace period" if you do not maintain the GPA? These are questions that you need to consider and perhaps post the answers to if you want more help.</p>
<p>Can you go visit St. Joes? I am sure you will make friends and find activities, so don't let that dismay you. Go where you feel you will get the most out of your education-the right program for you.
My Son knew no one at the college he selected, but with Facebook and speaking to friends who knew of people, he had "met" many people before he even started school. You will meet many new kids and shortly have a group to pal with. Sometimes it is better not to go to a place with friends-things change with them. Plus, I think you should expand your horizons and meet new people. If Loyola is better for you academically, then go (if finances really aren't a concern), if not check out St. Joes and it may be a better fit.
Good luck and congrats!</p>
<p>st joes is in philly, loyola is in baltimore. at st joes i need to maintain a 3.0 to keep the scholarship...</p>
<p>my parents said they can afford to send me, but for some reason i feel horrible for making them spend about 10k more a year...of course it is for only 2 years.</p>
<p>I guess I would visit St. Joes and see if you would like it (I'm assuming that's where the scholarship is). Try to stay overnight with someone in the dorm so you can get a feel for what life is like beyond the "guided tour". For some people, going off somewhere on their own is preferable, for others, being on their own is too much of a stretch. </p>
<p>In my own experience with my kids, my oldest s got a scholarship at an oos huge public (UF) where he knew NOONE. He is now a sophomore there and having the time of his life! He is one of very few Texas kids there and he likes it that way. When he comes home on holidays, he is glad to see all his hs friends, but he is just as happy to go back to his college friends when the vacation is up. My younger s who is a senior has decided to attend UTexas and after much soul searching, did not even apply anywhere else. He is more of a home body and the idea of not being able to hop in the car and come home on any given weekend was enough to keep him from venturing oos. </p>
<p>I really think it depends on the individual!</p>
<p>I want to add that it is really nice to read your post acknowledging that even though your parents can pay, you would like to save them some money. Good Kid! :)</p>
<p>haha well yea cuz after i said i want to go to loyola my dad said "ok i guess ill just keep on working". made me feel bad, to be honest. im about to call my mom and discuss it with them. i know for a fact id be more happy at loyola because i am somewhat of a homebody and i already have a good group of nice friends there.</p>
<p>You need a 3.0 to maintain the scholarship. Is there a probation or grace period if you don't make it first semester? My son has a similar scholarship but there is a one semester grace period. I have heard from other parents that sometimes that 3.0 is not easy, particularly first semester. That said, I would go visit St. Joe's before deciding.</p>
<p>My guess is she/he's talking about Loyola in Baltimore, vs. St. Joseph's in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Some kids relish the chance to get away, see new places, make new friends (but keep the old, etc.); others don't. Or don't yet. You have to be honest with yourself, ask yourself what the best part of you really wants, and how much of your reaction is based on simple fear of the unknown, usually a bad reason for doing anything. You also ought to project yourself into the future a little bit -- when you are 20, 21, what will you most glad you have done?</p>
<p>I'm not really arguing for St. Joe's. It's a great school, and people like it a lot, but the same is true of Loyola. Neither choice is intrinsically bad. The money certainly makes a difference, but not if you are going to sabotage your experience over it. But think about it on a mature basis, and talk with your parents on a mature basis, and make a mature decision. I hate seeing kids make "high school" choices as if they were going to remain 17 forever, when they grow out of that pretty quickly no matter what.</p>
<p>My son did not know one person at his college and it's 6 hours away. With the help of an excellent freshman orientation he made friends quickly. I assume you are talking about St. Joe's in Philadelphia and Loyola in Maryland. I know a recent St. Joe's graduate and she had a wonderful time there. She is now working at a well known investment firm in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>I guess it depends on your comfort zone. My kids tend to like trying new things and going to new places. I think that's because we have moved before and they have always gone out of state to camp and learned how much fun that is. It's all about what's right for you, not what we (strangers on a bulletin board) think you should do. If you haven't visited St. Joe's you really need to do that and try for an overnight if possible. Hey, and why are you stressing now? You don't have to make a decision right away do you?</p>
<p>well yea i need the decision now, because im going in january. it was originally loyola; i love it there. the money was the only concern. now im just thinking more about the financial situation. today is actually the last day i can get my deposit back from st joes...</p>
<p>Can you call the school and ask to postpone until you visit and attend classes? Also, can you call the swchool without merit scholarship and inquire about one? Let them know that they are your first choice, but you are concerned with finances.</p>
<p>By the way, my S went to a school where he got no money, tho other schools did offer merit. Now he's an upperclassman, and received a merit award that more than compensates.</p>
<p>I knew 8 people in my class at college and several more in the class above me. I hardly saw any of them when I was there. I concur with others that you should visit the schools. Then you make the list. Cons on one side, pros on the other. But decision today? Yikes!</p>
<p>What did you do before you met your current friends? How did you make it then? Definitely visit the campus of where ever you are thinking, but worry over leaving friends should not be as big a concern as you make it. You'll keep those that you have (email, cell) and probably make more where ever you go. </p>
<p>Be a good listener and you'll never lack for friends.</p>
<p>So you're a transfer student then? Both schools are very similar - on the edge of their respective cities, not very lg. student body, more suburban campus, Jesuit education, etc.
Does the major/dept you are choosing vary much between either school? That might help w/ the decision.
If there's really not that much difference except for comfort level & cost, I'd say go for comfort level. As a transfer, you can't waste more time going somewhere that you will be unhappy & then needed to change again.
All that said, a visit to St. Joe's would help you figure it out one way or the other - good luck!</p>
<p>i visited st joes today. its almost like they are the exact same school (although loyolas dorms and fitness center are really second to none...well vs. st joes at least).</p>
<p>the major is the exactttt same. psyc with a minor in business is what i want to do. 43 credits at loyola vs. 49 credits at st joes. but, like i said, id be more comfortable at loyola.</p>
<p>I tried to send you a message yesterday. I guess it never arrived. I'm guessing you could do well at either school. If you go to the one without friends, you might find a whole new incredible peer group. I'd recommend checking out a lot of ECs (student organizations) to meet new friends.</p>
<p>pm did not go through. this is true, im just worried because i went away once (with somewhat of a friend), and i ended up coming home because i hated it. i didnt give it much of a chance, but yea. i think id feel more comfortable right off the bat at loyola.</p>
<p>One son knew lot of kids at his college before going there. Ended up hating it there. Other is at a school where he did not know one soul. Has a whole slew of new friends. Still hangs with old friends during break. It's a chance to take.</p>
<p>My son who is applying to highschools is running into a similar situation. His catholic school tends to feed into catholic highschools where most of his class will be going. But they are relatively large schools and even with a bunch of kids from the 8th grade going to them, they are a drop in the bucket and it's not likely he will be with them much, going by what past parents tell me. For some kids it is a rude awakening as they imagine it is going to be a continuation of the old school. But right now during the admissions process, those schools look a heck of a lot more comfortable than the other schools where he will be joining kids who have done middle school together. It is definitely a decision you are going to have to make on your own, a chance you take if you go away to a different city.</p>