Help Me Choose A College!

Applying to College
1

<p>I posted something similar to this before but I just recieved the Financial Aid from all my schools. I am deciding between FIVE schools and they are UNiversity of New Hampshire, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, Northeastern and UMass-Amherst Commonwealth College(Honors). They awarded me the following Financial Aid.</p>

<p><strong><em>UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE</em></strong>
-Fed SEOG Grant- $2,250
-Federal College Work Study- $2,500
-Federal Direct Subsidized Loan- $3,500
-Federal Pell Grant- $400
-Federal Perkins Loan- $2,000
-UNH Non-Resident Grant $7,500
-ACG 1st year-$750</p>

<p><em>TOTAL- $18,900</em>
<em>ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE-$33,213</em>
<em>REMAINING- $12,223</em></p>

<p><strong><em>U. OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST (COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE (Honors))</em></strong>
-Comm College Incentive Award-$5,000
-Federal Acad Competetive Grant I- $750
-Fed SEOG Grant- $400
-Federal College Work Study- $1,500
-Federal Direct Subsidized Loan- $3500
-Federal Pell Grant- $400
-Federal Perkins Loan- $1,600
-UMass Amherst Grant-$3,162</p>

<p><em>TOTAL- $16,132</em>
<em>ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE-$27,978</em>
<em>REMAINING-$11,846</em></p>

<p><strong><em>UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE</em></strong>
-Federal College Work Study- $2,000
-Federal Direct Subsidized Loan- $3500
-Federal Perkins Loan- $2,000</p>

<p><em>TOTAL- $7,500</em>
<em>ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE-$29,700</em>
<em>REMAINING-$22,200</em></p>

<p><strong><em>NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY</em></strong>
-Federal College Work Study- $2,200
-Federal Direct Subsidized Loan- $3,500
-Federal Perkins Loan- $2,000
-Fed SEOG Grant- $3,000
-Federal Pell Grant- $400
-Achievement Award-$5,000</p>

<p><em>TOTAL- $16,600</em>
<em>ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE-$45,859</em>
<em>REMAINING-$29,259</em></p>

<p><strong><em>UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT</em></strong>
-Federal College Work Study- $1,800
-Federal Direct Subsidized Loan- $3,500
-Federal Perkins Loan- $1,600
-Tution Remission Grant UG O/S- $5,000
University Grant- $2,000</p>

<p><em>TOTAL- $13,900</em>
<em>ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE-$29,828</em>
<em>REMAINING- $15,928</em></p>

<p>I am undeclared but will probably major in some kind of enngineering or something with science such as astronomy. I am not sure though.</p>

<p>Which school would you choose based on this information?</p>

2

<p>Anyone, I need as much help as possible!</p>

3

<p>...isn't this the kind of thing you decide with your parents? after all, they're the ones helping you pay for your education...</p>

4

<p>Oh yeah, I forgot they will pay about $7,000 each year. So they don't care too much about where I go. They are happy that I have so many choices but leave the decision up to me. I just wanted the input of fellow CCers because I can't decide.</p>

5

<p>Sorry to be annoying but can anyone help?</p>

6

<p>If your parents can only give you 7k/year, I don't see how NU and U of Delaware can be seriously considered. You do not want to take out that much in loans on top of what the schools want you to take out, and your parents would most likely need to co-sign additional loans if you wanted to go that route. I would be leaning towards UMass, if it were my decision, since they have the best offer and gave you a place in their honors program, but I am not up to date for any of these schools since it is many years since I went to school and my kids are just starting high school. Maybe some others here can give you specific info about the different schools/programs.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the response eg1. Anyone else?</p>

8

<p>my vote is for umass- they have a very solid honors porgram</p>

9

<p>UMass A. They are a good school and (I believe) they have some reciprocal agreements for classes(?).</p>

10

<p>You can take classes at the other schools in the Amherst area. Plus, it is a nice college town.</p>

11

<p>I'd say UMASS because of the honors program and looks like the cheapest. If not UMASS, Delaware is a really great school Everyone I know who goes there absolutely loves it. It just looks expensive compared to your other financial aid packets.</p>

12

<p>i would DEFINITELY choose UMass-Amherst. It is a really good school and the honors program there is also really good. And, it is the cheapest, so if you are ever planning to go to grad school graduating with the least debt is definitely the way to go. Plus, Amherst is an awesome town.</p>

13

<p>Yeah, University of Delaware was my first choice initially but it's financial aid is on the low side. How well known is the Honors program? Is it good in engineering or something science based? Or would UConn or Delaware be better at that?</p>

14

<p>Bump, I want a few more opinions.</p>

15

<p>I would rule out Northeastern - the cost vs. reputation treadeff does not seem to be there.</p>

<p>Un of Delaware, which my son looked at, is a solid school but it's reportedly alot harder to get in from OOS than IS, hence there is a high percentage of in-state students who fall below the OOS standards. SOrt of a "take all comers" in state.</p>

<p>Not familiar with UMass personally, but lots of other posters seem to have personal expereince and touting it hard.</p>

16

<p>By the way, congratulations on your "problem" - a number of fine schools showering you with scholarships and making it a hard decision.</p>

17

<p>I don't know whether you are complimenting me or being sarcastic but thanks?</p>

18

<p>What is your planned major? Are you planning on grad school?</p>

19

<p>So far I am undecided. I will probably major in engineering or something to do with science, like astronomy or biology. Not sure. And I would like to go to grad school. IS it worth it to go to grad school for the majors I am considering?</p>

20

<p>If you are going into engineering you do not have to go to grad school to get a good job. And some workplaces have tuition reimbursement packages so you can go to grad school and they will pay as long as you get a minimum GPA. (work during the day, school at night.)
Biology I think you would need to go to grad school. (although there are probably jobs you could go directly into)
And astronomy I do not know.</p>