<p>I live in Indiana and I don’t particularly want to go to IU but I’m open for convincing.
I don’t know much about GW or Boston except that they’re both good schools.
Using the collegeboard.com Compare My Aid Awards feature:</p>
<p>GW would cost 5,830 with 14% in loans.
IU would cost 7,307 with 45% in loans.
BU would cost 12,100 with 21% in loans.</p>
<p>My dad recently lost his job so we’ll have even less money and I’m not looking to put a burden on my parents.</p>
<p>Any pros and cons to the three, or suggestions?</p>
<p>They’re all really good schools and in the end you can succeed anywhere you go. If your family is have financial problems, go where it’s cheapest, which seems like GW. Go to GW.</p>
<p>Good luck with everything.</p>
<p>My family isn’t having financial problems, per say. My dad lost his job, but I’ve been told that if I made an appeal that the schools would give me more FA. I also have a very wealthy grandparent who’s been paying 15,000+ in private schools since the 3rd grade so I’m sure he’s paying our “family” contribution amount anyway. It’s mainly the pros and cons between GW and BU that I’m wondering about.</p>
<p>You’re a junior? The thing is you’d have to get in, get your actual awards and then compare. </p>
<p>Otherwise, look at your interests. GW being in DC prides itself on being a good place to study stuff related to government. BU has, I believe, more diverse strengths. </p>
<p>In terms of location, DC is warmer but Boston is more fun and is safer. GW is in Foggy Bottom, which is between Georgetown and downtown. Georgetown has restaurants, shopping, etc. and is generally upscale. Downtown is pretty darned dead at night. Boston has hundreds of thousands of college students, etc.</p>
<p>No, I’m a senior, have gotten in, and those are my actual awards.</p>
<p>It’s true that you can appeal since your situation has changed, but keep in mind that a lot of people will be doing that this year and it isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get more $$. Especially if you have outside help already from your grandpa. All things considered, though, it doesn’t seem like you’ll have to pay a ton out of pocket for any of the schools.</p>
<p>Is this 45% over the $7k or 45% of the $7k? It’s important to think about how much you’ll have to pay back in loans.</p>
<p>Costs aside, the real issues are your interests and where you want to be. I live in Boston and like it a lot as a place for college students. I have spent a lot of time in DC and don’t like it as much, mostly because DC is much more dangerous and is a company town, the company being government. The “cool” parts of DC are not near GW, except for Georgetown. Gtown is kind of upscale. I’m too old to care about the bar scene there but it seems really preppy.</p>
<p>No. I have to pay the 7000 and the remainder is paid 45% in loans.</p>