Help! University of South FL decision question

<p>I got Bright Futures + merit award + Honors Program at USF which means I'll receive $10k per year above cost of attendence if I commute from home. I've checked it out, and yes, I will in fact get the overage directly since the merit award is in excess of Bright Futures which covers full tuition + books. </p>

<p>I love the scholarship, but I'm having a really hard time thinking of going to USF when I got into places like Vandy, UNC and Georgetown. Unfortunately, no money is expected other than loans to those schools. My parents will pay but it will be very hard on them, plus I don't want a bunch of loans. I did get money to go to Davidson and would only pay about $15k per year, but it's not a good fit. I like the academics, but socially, I think it would be a very long 4 years, and it would be a major compromise to go there.</p>

<p>Despite my worries, I'm wondering if going to Davidson for $15k is still not better than going to USF, even if they pay me. I just always thought I'd end up somewhere better, where I'd be happier. This has all turned out so tough compared to what I had always imagined about applying to college. </p>

<p>Any advice? What would you do?</p>

<p>Davidson really requires a good fit and if you don't think it would be a good fit for you, listen to your instincts. Do you want to remain in FL after graduation? Do you think you'll go to grad school? If you answer yes to either question and have a good relationship with your folks, I'd opt for USF.</p>

<p>This is a tough one because the institutional quality differences are quite large. I love Davidson and think it is one of the best undergraduate experiences available in the country. Of the four alternatives to USF (Davidson, Vanderbilt, UNC and Georgetown), my suggestion would be Davidson due to the attractive loan package and relatively equal levels of academic strength. But it will cost you more money than USF and it sounds it might not be a fit for you and your personality. </p>

<p>Two thoughts:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Where do you think you might be living and working after college? If the answer is going to be Florida (and particularly central/South Florida), then I think you might be best served at USF.</p></li>
<li><p>If Davidson is not your cup of tea, have you considered going back to Vandy, UNC and Georgetown and trying to get them to ante up or match the Davidson offer? It can't hurt to ask.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Of Vandy, UNC, and Georgetown, I very much like all three colleges, but they have personalities with some similarities to Davidson. What is it about Davidson that leaves you less than excited about going there?</p>

<p>Okay, well, I'm not especially married to FL. I only applied to USF because my parents insisted on a FL school as a financial safety. Since I feel the same about all FL publics, I just threw together a quick app for USF thinking it'll never happen in a million years. Hah, Joke's on me now I guess! But to answer your question, I'll probabaly go wherever the best opportunity presents itself in or out of FL. </p>

<p>I definitely plan to go on to graduate or professional school, so yeah, the money I'd save at USF would help lots if I can tolerate spending my undergrad that way. </p>

<p>The issue with Davidson is it's just too small and isolated for my tastes. It's not diverse enough for me socially. My father is a big fan of small LACs and suggested I at least add one to my list. Among those considered I liked Davidson best. But like USF, I thought the chances I'd actually go there were remote </p>

<p>Basically, of all the schools I applied to, the ones I liked least have moved to the top of the list. Go figure. If I hadn't been accepted to the other schools I did, I could probably live with it, but....oh well, I'm trying to be mature about it.</p>

<p>Sounds like you should have taken the alternatives your parents suggested in a more serious light and picked schools you actually could see yourself attending. I know that's hindsight, of course, and I'm not trying to pile on. I just think there's a lesson to others in this. </p>

<p>Anyway, since it seems you are going to be unsatisfied either way, I suggest heading off to USF. Even if it's as bad as you think it might be, you'll have time to get your ducks in a row and you can transfer someplace else down the road. In the meantime, you'll be getting a free education and you'll be able to save some money to put towards your next adventure.</p>

<p>No offense taken FLVADAD. I don't disagree with you. I hate being in this situation. </p>

<p>As far as going to USF and transferring later, I really want to avoid a transfer if possible. I know I could do it, but I've moved every year of HS and never got to spend more than a year at the same place. I feel like I really need to have the chance to settle in somewhere to live up to my potential. Moving around all the time takes a lot out of you after awhile. </p>

<p>Any other suggestions? Thoughts?</p>

<p>Well, as hawkette said, the differences between these schools is significant. Considering that fact along with the idea you don't want to do a transfer, maybe you should just go for the highest quality degree. What do you plan on studying?</p>

<p>Poli Sci / Econ or maybe History. Not sure yet.</p>

<p><strong><em>Bump</em></strong></p>

<p>This thread not generating much attention so I'll bump it up for you to see if you can get anymore responses.</p>

<p>Maybe I should've put Davidson in the title to get this thread more attention. I think the lack of interest here says plenty about what people think about USF - not much apparently. It's not even included under the list of colleges on CC. I appealed to the FA office at Wake Forest yesterday where I also got in. Waiting to hear back. </p>

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

<p>Flossem, any progress on your decision? Is it USF or Davidson? </p>

<p>I did some research on USF Honors College. Looks pretty decent to me. They have a profile on their website about a student who turned down Princeton. Now, as an undergrad, he's doing research in his field alongside his professors, got into a 7 year MD program, and even has a job in the medical center already. That's a pretty big deal I think. </p>

<p>I know you are considering a different area of study, but no reason you couldn't make it work for you in a similar fashion if you are determined.</p>