I have been very lucky with my college application process. I got accepted by Notre Dame (Mendoza), UT McCombs (in state), UNC Chapel Hill, and Full ride at UMiami Honor school. My question is - Is it better to attend a lower ranking school with full scholarship or a top ranked school? Thank you!!
How much will that top ranked school cost you in loans?
1 Like
âBetterâ for what? If your intended career path requires a graduate degree, it is always best to spend a lower amount on undergrad and conserve your budget loan options for grad school. I would also say it depends on your major because not every âtopâ ranked school is not âtopâ ranked for every program.
1 Like
My parents will pay for my tuition but I really donât feel comfortable for them to spend so much on my education.
There you go. You have your answer.
5 Likes
Use the full ride from Miami honors to ask your other schools that you want more, what is the best they can do for you. They may come up on their offers. Then re-evaluate.
Congratulations! A full ride at U Miami is a wonderful thing!
3 Likes
Full ride ($75k+) trumps full pay at any college in the country.
Lower ranked. Funny. Miami is a top school. Yes itâs not elite. Itâs a couple notches below Ivy and a notch below your WUSTL and Emory. Thatâs why you got the scholarship. Itâs how they compete.
But itâs not second rate. Itâs on par with your UT or most any other top public. Even if it wasnât, $300k is a big price to pay for âperceivedâ prestige.
As a wealthy private youâll have access to a great campus life too. The student I know who goes there raves about everything except the cost of food outside of the dining hall.
Thatâs a HUGE get and you should be super proud.
11 Likes
Congrats on the acceptances.
What major? And think about why you applied to UMiami. How did it get on your list? What excited you?
Saving money is great as every parent on here day dreams about retiring some day 
But you also have to want to be there, just get yourself over the brand name prestige - easy as UMiami has that anyway.
Will you want to go to grad school?
Beyond football, ND and UMiami have some obvious differences. So start making some lists that get you beyond just the money.
Have you been to the campus? Have you been to Notre Dame, Chapel Hill, and others high on your list? UMiami is overwhelmingly gorgeous, but not for everyone.
UMiami has so many impressive things going on in various departments. The university and city are very international with opportunities to get involved in many interests.
Definitely, look at what the full ride covers for housing at UMiami, so there are no unknown costs or surprises in future years. Their housing costs vary wildly at UMiami. I do remember plans for one of the new dorms/apartment buildings had something about housing for honors students and athletes, so hopefully you get to select from some of the nicer dorms.
Look at logistics to get back and forth between college and home. Miami airport uses the rail system that links to UMiami and will have lots of non-stop flights. It is easy. Others on your list are trickier to get to the airport and harder to book direct flights.
Go back and visit if possible, but free is amazing at a wonderful and unique college.
1 Like
Hi, out of curiosity if you donât mind sharing. as my daughter has been accepted to many of the same schools as you as well as similar (but not quite as good) scholarships, but sheâs engineering not business. Was it the Stamps scholarship you got at UMiami? what are your stats?
1 Like
if you are targeting IB, then Notre Dame is the best option. if not then go with UMiami and full ride.
1 Like
Ranked #5 out of 814 students
SAT 1540
14 AP classes
Multiple leadership positions in Clubs and NHS
Varsity basketball 3 years
Founder of a Club and co- founder of a non- profit organization
Business Internship and started a small business
Good luck to your daughter. I also got Into UVA which is going to make it even harder to make a decision.
Why is it hard? Unless u win the Thomas Jefferson Miami is a no brainer.
I visited my daughter at C of Charleston today. Took one of her friends to lunch. Got into Penn, Rice, and Vandy and WL at Harvard and YaleâŠdidnât stay on.
Heâs going for free. And C of C doesnât hold a candle to Miami.
Unless you hate Miami, this is a no brainer. And itâs not just money. Youâll get special opportunities Iâm sure !!
Miami 100%! Gorgeous setting in Coral Gables. Great weather, excellent school. Unless your parents are very wealthy that scholarship will make a huge difference in their and your life. We have several friends who took full scholarships over Ivy acceptances. Never looked back.
1 Like
Somewhat similar situation but not stamps. Full tuition.
She has an acceptance to UVA and still waiting on others.
Right now Miami is first until we hear about other scholarships/aid. Sheâs also planning med school after so definitely need to save money on undergraduate.