<p>I appreciate your well thought out choices. I notice that you were not the one to choose to apply to Yale. Did you consider it before others encouraged you to apply? Good luck in your choice.</p>
<p>Yale is a no-brainer. Study abroad for a semester (or year) if you really want to get away. :)</p>
<p>Congrats.</p>
<p>I went to school a short drive from my parents house and it made no difference to me. I still only saw my parents at breaks and maybe a couple times a year besides-- it was nice to be able to keep my same doctors and hair dresser, things like that. There is no rule that says if you live closeby you have to go home on the weekends or spend time at home. I think you can do plenty of growing and maturing at Yale if that school is the best choice for you otherwise.</p>
<p>I’m a big booster of Yale, and I think you’d probably find more advantages than disadvantages being closer to home. It will save time and money when you travel (even if you get some free travel), and it will give you the option for short visits home that others won’t have. Most of the time you’ll be inside the “Yale Bubble,” which is going to be very different from any residential neighborhood in New Haven. Yale would be a great place to be a pre-med Classics major as well.</p>
<p>All that being said, this is not a no-brainer. Those saying you should choose Yale because of its prestige superiority over Williams, Amherst, Penn, and Dartmouth are being silly. Those are all super-prestigious and excellent schools. They will all give you a fantastic education and will open many, many doors for you. It would be quite reasonable for you to pick among these schools based on which one has the overall lowest cost of attendance–or if they’re all pretty close, just pick the one you like best. For me, I can’t imagine liking any of them better than Yale, but it takes all kinds.</p>
<p>Added: one other advantage to Yale: if you get involved in any kind of performance or sports activity at Yale–and many, if not most, students do–your family will be able to come see you perform. They will also be able to save huge $$$ when it’s time for you to graduate.</p>
<p>Sorry, on my moms computer</p>
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<p>If money will play a key role in your decision, you might prefer a school in a small community where there’s not much to spend money on. It may be easier to be on a tight budget at Williams, for example, than it would be at Penn, where some of your classmates may take advantage of expensive entertainment opportunities in the surrounding city.</p>
<p>Yes, I will be following the $$$ and prestige is NOT an issue for me…I truly just want a great education & no loans!</p>
<p>While I don’t think Howard will give you an education equal to the top schools on your list, if you have a strong interest in going there, I think there is a good chance they would improve their FA offer.</p>
<p>OP, are you NewHavenmom’s D? If so, so happy to hear about your successes in admissions. I’ve been interested in her story and valued her posts since she first appeared here. :)</p>
<p>Yale may be close to your home - but trust us, IT’S ANOTHER WORLD. If the finances are right, don’t hesitate.</p>
<p>@Consolation yes, I am…so sweet of you to say! </p>
<p>@hunt Howard is not at the top of my list…it was a safety. And if it was my only option, I would be very happy with it. Many of my classmates didn’t get in so I’m happy that I was admitted.</p>
<p>I decided to attend Yale! It was a tough decision but feel it’s the place that feels most like home & where I can receive a wonderful education. Thank you for all of your wonderful advice.</p>
<p>Congratulations! Sounds like the perfect choice!</p>
<p>Congratulations! You will be able to do semesters abroad, summer internships in other cities or states, and visit your new friends’ homes. The money you save by not travelling to and from college can help fund other adventures.
Enjoy this amazing opportunity! </p>
<p>I live about 6 blocks from our state flagship. Friends on the block with kids at the university joke about how infrequently they see their kids. </p>