<p>Ok guys here's the scoop. I received my financial aid from Penn, though it is drastically lower than what I had expected/hoped for/need. On the other hand, I received a full tuition scholarship to Pitt Honors College. Now, I know that Penn will afford me a much, much greater future, but I am not sure at what cost this would be appropriate considering the alternative. This is a very touchy and emotional subject at home, so I kindly ask that any responses keep that in mind. However, I am really in need of some good advice, maybe even some encouragement, as to what I should do. I feel like I would be stupid either way - giving up a full tuition scholarship or giving up the chance to study at an Ivy League University - and the decision is really, really taxing. Thank you all in advance...</p>
<p>2 words: student loans.</p>
<p>Get your parents to pay a couple thousand a year if they could, that, plus financial aid, would prolly put you down to maybe 20-30k a year (dunno how much your fin. aid is). And then get lots of loans. You will have a lot of debt, but depending on your major, getting out of penn would give you a lot of great job offers to help pay that off.</p>
<p>What are you studying/want to do after school? </p>
<p>I can't offer too much advice since Penn gave me a large grant but it's always been in my philosophy to hold education above any other factor, such as costs.</p>
<p>That's exactly what I think - no matter the cost, a Penn education is worth it. The thing is, my parents are already heavily buckled down in my sister's college debts (she was in a very similar situation - turning down money for a better education and happiness) and they've said that me going to Penn would force them to make some sacrifices. As most of you probably feel, when they play that card, guilt takes over...In no way do I want a Penn education to force them to live unhappily for the next 4+ years just so I can be happy...</p>
<p>I plan on combining Computer Science with a minor or something in business. My dream job is to work at Google as like a software engineer or something.</p>
<p>wait you applied ED to penn?</p>
<p>Yeah I applied and got accepted to SEAS.</p>
<p>eh..but don't you have to go there now? since it's ED?</p>
<p>Millhouse, he can get out of ED if he can show that he just can't make the payments.</p>
<p>I know, but I don't know how easy that will be. Getting full ride to Pitt isn't that difficult..I think it's worth it to go to Penn.</p>
<p>You (or better still, your parents) should call the financial aid office and explain that you've been given a full ride at Pitt but really want to go to Penn, and could they please reconsider and sweeten the offer. It's done all the time. </p>
<p>I would be reluctant to go into heavy debt for undergraduate school, even for a school like Penn. You could wind up mortgaging your future and limit your chances of attending grad school.</p>
<p>Alternately, you could do Pitt for a year, save all that cash, and try to transfer to Penn as a sophomore or Junior. You'd still have a degree from Penn, but at half the cost.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>a brand name undergrad degree isn't worth that much but it could open doors for grad schools or jobs....especially for business
i think you should call penn and explain ur situation and ask nicely for possibly more financial aid, most times colleges are willing to consider it</p>
<p>Yeah my dad has a conference call set up for today at 3:30, in which he and a financial aid rep from Penn are figuring step-by-step how they determined our aid... hopefully that should help. As of now, I think I'm leaning towards Penn, regardless of the road blocks in the way. Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>also, my friend who's a freshman at yale showed them how much other schools were offering her and she said that normally makes them change their mind and increases your fin aid significantly. so just tell them how much you're getting from pitt and they'll prolly up their bargain!</p>
<p>You should attempt to contact Penn regarding this and ask if they can match financial aid.</p>
<p>I will tell you that Penn's education is not worth "any amount of money." However, it is very much worth what Penn asks you to pay.</p>