I am a Questbridge student and I’ve been accepted to USC and Columbia. Columbia gave me a full ride for the first year, but the years after that I’d have to pay $3,000 throughout each school year and pay $2,000 from work over the summer. I also have to do this summer bridge program if I go to Columbia which I heard is really intense. I’ve already been through hell because I go to one of the top public schools in New York City – they gave us so much work to “prepare us for college” and I don’t want to go through that again. An ivy would give me more connections because of my low-income status, but I want to go to school in a place where the weather is always nice and there is unity and a lot of school spirit. I have not received my financial aid package from USC, but I feel like they would give me a lot of aid as well. I feel like my parents are not supporting me, my dad does not recognize that getting into Columbia is a big deal. My mom thinks that we don’t have to visit USC because I got into Columbia and she’s not supportive of the possibility of me choosing USC over Columbia. She wants me to stay in NYC because she’ll be a 20 min train ride away, she doesn’t have to worry about me going hungry. This is the first time anybody in my family has the possibility of going across the country for college. I also am not sure of what I want to major in, I’ve been accepted as an Econ/math major for both schools, but I may switch to creative writing. Can somebody give me advice??! I’m so effed up right now. This is supposed to be one of the happiest moments of my life, but I’ve been scared to talk to people about it because they will all go “are you crazy? Obviously Columbia” Sorry for the long paragraph, but I’m desperate!!
Ultimately, it’s your decision. If you can get into Columbia, you have the ability to be just as successful at USC as you would have been at Columbia. USC is probably more stingy with financial aid than Columbia, but that’s an issue to consider when you get their aid package. Ultimately: don’t let your family make a decision that determines YOUR life for the next 4 years.
OP, the USC package might be generous, but likely not as much as Columbia’s. If the prices turn out the same, and neither school requires your parents to pay, pick whatever school you like best. If Columbia is cheaper though (most likely), then that’s more important, specially if your parents can contribute little to no $ for college.
Ultimately, it is the decision of who is paying the bill. If USC doesn’t give the same amount of aid, it doesn’t sound like the parents are going to support going to USC. btw, travel between NYC and LA wasn’t free last time I checked. Choosing between Columbia and USC for very little cost is quite the first world problem, so congrats.
Coming from the Northeast or upper Midwest, there is something magical about the SoCal weather. The school sprit is also something to experience. Have you visited? Just prepare yourself, it is pretty difficult to match the generosity of the Ivy financial aide.
I don’t recall you mentioning a major. Some majors will let you get high laying summer internships paying $25 - $30/hr form10-12 weeks and would make your contribution much easier at both schools.
@slightlytorn123 - hey congrats on your achievements! I would love my son to go to an Ivy, but am aware of needing to constantly push himself hence the pressure and the stress. But I think all schools would put similar pressure on kids to achieve more than what they have set out. So I think the real issue would be the financial support as well as parent support, both of which are critical in the long haul. Agree with the inputs given so far - check out the financial aid offer from both schools and note the incremental cost of living and travel. Just to add - perhaps you can check out the Off Campus Admitted Student Day of USC - there’s one in April to help you assess and decide. Hope this help!
Wait for the scholarship offer from USC, then re-evaluate. When you do your scholarship math make sure you do it for your entire time of attendance there, not just one year. You may be able to fight for more money as well, depending on your offer.
That summer bridge program sounds like a big headache. And you have to go to class while working over the summer?