<p>...Sort of. I guess I'm just looking for some advice/input on colleges. I applied, did that whole deal, and have essentially narrowed my school choices for next year to four.</p>
<p>Bates
Colby
Lehigh
Willamette</p>
<p>Lehigh, I really should in good faith cross out, since it's probably not the school for me. But the M-F ratio is... tempting, to say the least (boy crazy, anyone?) Plus my dad went there, so I have a fair amount of pressure to attend myself (also, he'll never be able to throw in my face that I didn't attend a "good" university - after all, he went there!)</p>
<p>Now Bates I absolutely adore, I had a really great feel for the campus when I visited. Everyone was really friendly, but it was a tad preppy for me, I suppose. But generally... I loved it. I thought it was great. And in a perfect world... I would be there.</p>
<p>Colby was nice, I liked the location, the feel for the place. I didn't spend too much time there (squeezed it in between Bates and Bowdoin) but everyone seemed nice. It was very very removed though, and I'm not sure if I want that.</p>
<p>Willamette (which seems to stick out a little from that list) is on there because they gave me money. Merit money. A fair amount, about $36,000 over four years, which isn't anything to scoff at.</p>
<p>Now here is my dilemma. My parents and I don't exactly have the... best relationship. We are an extremely affluent family (200K+ a year), from an affluent area, and I never really considered that money for college would be a problem. After the last four years of a very unbalanced relationship, my parents don't feel it's necessary to invest as much money in my education. Though we have $100K tucked away in a college fund for me (and it's supposed to grow), they'd rather pay as little as possible. So basically they've told me I'm responsible for $7,000 a year of my college tuition, $3,000 to be paid throughout the year and $4,000 in college loans.</p>
<p>When I brought up the subject that perhaps, since we do HAVE the money, my first semester, when I'm settling in to a new home, a new group of friends, a new lifestyle, and a workload unlike any other I've experienced, perhaps I should hold off on a new job until at least second semester freshman year, seeing as how it isn't actually necessary. If it was, if my family actually needed the money, then I'd totally understand. But them being unwillingly to give me it... I understand I'm not entitled to the money, and I understand that it IS their money, to do with what they will. But I still feel as though they could be a little more understanding.</p>
<p>Okay, done with my vent, now to the actual point.</p>
<p>I know coming up with $28,000 over four years is essentially small potatoes, especially compared to other fiscal problems of other posters on this board. But to me, it does matter, because any way you slice it, $28,000 is a lot of money. So here's my dilemma:</p>
<p>Should I go to Bates, a school I absolutely adore, but a school I'd have to put myself in debt (and the majors I'm interested in - English/Political Science - probably wouldn't do me any favors in make a crap load of money right out of college) for a school I absolutely love? Or should I go to a school that I'm pretty ambivalent about... I don't love it... not as highly ranked, not as interested in going there... but they gave me money to cover the debts I'd have? Keep in mind I'd have to pay for my own grad school, etc, and would probably be sinking into debt for that too.</p>
<p>Gah. Money.</p>
<p>Help? Anyone?</p>