Hi, I know that I have exhausted this site with forums but I need last minute help in picking the right college. I have narrowed my choice down to 2 schools: University of New Mexico and University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I live in the state of Tennessee. I was awarded the Amigo scholarship at New Mexico which gives me in-state tuition. At UT Knoxville, I was awarded the hope scholarship which cuts 3500 per year. My net price for UNM is around 15-16k per year and Knoxville is 19-20k per year. My parents already have 30000 saved for college. I really want to go OOS so I can be around a different environment and setting.I want to study pre-law. Which of these two colleges should I pick even though my in state school UTK is 4/5k more expensive. I really want to move out to California when I finish college and I want to go as debt-free as possible. Please answer if you have info about these schools or have had this experience. Thanks!!!
I’d not suggest University of New Mexico. I think UT Knoxville is a better school. If you want to go out of state, there are better options, of course depending on your stats and desired major.
There is no Pre-Law. You just need to take courses that help you to think critically. Both schools will be fine for Law prep. Law school admissions are primarily based on GPA and LSAT scores. Keep your undergrad costs low because law school is expensive.
You can borrow ~$5500/year. If your parents can pay ~$7500/year from your college savings and you can save ~$3k by working summers you can afford ~$15-16k/year. Unless your parents can contribute more from current income, I don’t see how you can attend a college in TN unless you commute. If you attend a cc for 2 years, you could use $15k/year from the savings + ~$3k/year work earnings for the last 2 years and not borrow much (if any) at all.
UNM, because it costs less. You want to be debt-free, go to law school, and live in Cali. You should probably pick it because its the cheapest.
Did you get into the Honors College at either one?
Did you apply anywhere else? (December is early for a decision.)
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At UT Knoxville, I was awarded the hope scholarship which cuts 3500 per year. My net price for UNM is around 15-16k per year and Knoxville is 19-20k per year.
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I’m not sure that UNM will actually be cheaper than UTK. You will have high travel expenses if you go to UNM, and you may find that your family’s insurance won’t work in NM and that can be costly.
13k UTenn tuition/fees (minus 3500 Hope)
10k room/board
7k UNM
10k room/board
I only see about a 2500 difference and that will get eaten up with travel costs for you and any family member(s) that help you move, for holiday travel ($$$), etc.