<p>peppermintlounge, if it is hard to choose between the two choices because each one has different unattractive features and thus neither is obviously better, it may be easier to decide by focusing on an escape route, even though he may end up loving the place he attends. So here are two thoughts:</p>
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<li> Pick the one with the almost free ride with the intention to work really hard and prepare to transfer if he doesn’t like it. (If School A is better for transfer purposes, consider School A instead). He may discover that he does like the school he’s going to and doesn’t want to transfer, but he should be preparing as if he does; or</li>
<li> Take a gap year, do something really interesting, and reapply. Not sure this is a great option unless you think that there is another set of schools he could have applied to that he would like better. But, he will have a more fully formed record and if he is doing something that colleges find intriguing, it could help.</li>
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