GW v. Emory (Oxford)

College Search & Selection
1

Hello all, bit of a conundrum.

I really enjoy George Washington University, and it offers the specific major I wish to get involved in (Political Communications). One fault is how expensive the institution is. GW also has a financial aid policy, to my knowledge, that their gift aid does not exceed 80% of the cost of attendance, and rather than allowing scholarships to fill the remaining 20% gap, it merely reduces the grants given to you. This is a major financial red-flag for me, because it means I would have to take out approximately 8-10k in loans every year (unless I can figure something out) even with the max grant available.

Emory (Oxford) gave me a great financial aid offer that covers full need and I also enjoy their institution (2k loans at most), but not to the degree of GWU. My worry is the idea that their Political Science program is weaker, without my specific field, and with less internships/available connections, but I would come out with little to no debt. Undoubtedly, Emory is very prestigious in high-quality faculty and staff, along with holding a lower ratio between faculty to student. I would go through their Oxford College, which certainly has its benefits in regards to extracurricular leadership and an individualistic feel.

I am an OOS student for both institutions. Visiting is a ‘no can do’. :stuck_out_tongue:

George Washington University seemingly triumphs in the aspect of having stronger ‘political’ degrees due to its location, which enables students widespread internship and networking access, but Emory offers the better financial aid and has its listed benefits. I can definitely see myself at both institutions, but I am having a lot of doubt with this decision. Definitely leaning GWU, but the financial aspect is really making it hard to commit.

I’d be really grateful for any input to help me choose.

Thanks!

2

Each college and university decides for itself how it will determine student need for financial aid, and sets its own policy about how it will (or even if it will) meet it. Does GWU guarantee to meet full need? If it does, then by their estimate they have given you all the aid you need.

Are there any loans in GWU’s package? If not, you can borrow the standard student federal loan ($5,500 for your freshman year). With that, a summer job, and a part-time job during the school year, you may be able to cover an 8k gap. If there already are loans in the GWU package, then you may not be able to cover the gap.

Emory at Oxford is showing you a lot of love. It is a great place. Right now it ia the best option for you because of the difference in debt load. Sit down with the course catalogue for Emory, and see how hard it would be to put together the rough equivalent of the major you would have had at GWU. My bet is that it won’t be particularly hard. Check the courses in other departments to see what is available.

3

Also, a ton of kids change their mind on career and major. You’ll encounter fields in college you haven’t even thought about yet.

4

I’m happy that you have such great choices. Sorry the aid isn’t what you wanted at GWU. But Emory is world class and with that package plus liking it sounds like a winner to me

You ask the universe a question

Three answers

Yes
Not now
Or I have a better idea for you

I think the universe suggested #3. But you won’t see it for a while. FWIW

5

As an undergrad, although your major matters, you are choosing a college for a holistic experience - not a single major or “program.” Undergraduate students only take around 1/3 of their classes (give or take) in their major at most schools, anyway; the rest is general education and divisional requirements. And you’ll do as much learning outside the classroom as you do in it. For that reason, major/departmental strength is only one factor to take into account when choosing a school.

Emory does not have the exact political communication major. However, the film and media studies department has a major and a minor with several classes that are pretty close to what the political communication major offers at GWU:

FILM 319 Media, Islam, and Social Movements
FILM 356 History of American Television
FILM 359 Melodrama, Culture, Politics
FILM 383 Music, Film, and Politics
FILM 384 Literature & Cultural Studies
FILM 404 Gender in Film and Media

I specifically picked classes that specifically mentioned politics in their course listing, but there were several other courses that didn’t specifically mention politics but looked like they would discuss social, cultural, and political factors in them (aka, one class discussing the national theater of China). There are also some courses in the English/creative writing department that are applicable here.

$32-40K in debt isn’t that bad. Assuming, of course, that you can get it - happymomof1 is right that if your package already includes loans, it’ll be difficult for you to borrow more, and even if it doesn’t you can only borrow $5,500 your first year - it’s repayable with a decent post-college salary, the kind a new grad could expect. Little to no debt is better in a vacuum, and also frees you to have wider options to consider later - say, perhaps, if you wanted to get a graduate degree and you needed to borrow for that.

I don’t think Emory has fewer connections or internships available. It’s simply not located in DC, but there are lots of political communications to be had outside of DC. Atlanta is the capital of Georgia, so there are opportunities on the state and local level (with less competition for those opportunities!). There are also some federal government agencies in Atlanta - most notably the CDC.