I Need Your Help!

Parents Forum
1

<p>I recently posted a thread like this a few weeks back, but I find myself in the same situation with new information and I would like to try to get more opinions. The decision due date (May 1st) is quickly approaching and I feel really lost and unsure about this whole thing. I apologize if this gets a little lengthy.</p>

<p>I have been accepted to two really good universities.
1) University of Washington (Ranked #42 on USNWR)
Location: Seattle, Washington
2) Emory University (Ranked #17 on USNWR)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia</p>

<p>Now, I have received enough financial aid to cover the estimated cost of attendance for each school. For University of Washington, I received all grants(no loans or work study) and for Emory I received all grants and work study (no loans). This means that I can attend either school practically for free and would only have to worry about personal expenses and maybe a few fees that might not be covered (not sure).</p>

<p>University of Washington:<br>
Pros- Closer to home(only about 4 hours away), Closer to my friends (first real friends that I have ever had), lots of options for majors/classes.
Cons- Bad weather (I don't like the rain), huge classes (sometimes 200+), not all classes are taught by professors.
Unsure- Size: 20,000+ undergrads, runs on a quarter system</p>

<p>Emory University:
Pretty much the opposite of U-Dub's stuff (except the class/major selection, they are both good in that area).</p>

<p>I really don't know how the size of the school will affect me. I can't decide which I would prefer. </p>

<p>As far as a major goes, both schools have great options and programs. I currently don't know what I want to do in life or what I want to major in. I am looking to explore those options in college, so I'm looking for somewhere with a wide variety of opportunities.</p>

<p>I am faced with a unique situation. You see, U-Dub is closer to my mother/friends. However, Emory is closer to my father and the rest of my family as they live in Alabama. But I have never really been on my own before and the thought of it really scares me. </p>

<p>The huge question I am facing: Is the education/prestige I would get at Emory worth the huge leap it would require to move across the country away from EVERYTHING I know?</p>

<p>I haven't been able to visit either of the school's but I am driving up to U-dub tomorrow. Emory is too far away and we cannot afford the airfare.</p>

<p>I can't think of anything else right now, but I know there are a billion other things to consider. I would greatly appreciate any opinions, input, and advice that you would be willing to share. Also, if you can think of some aspects that would help in the decision that are not as common, that would be great too. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all of your wonderful advice!!</p>

2

<p>If you've never been on your own, this is a leap but I'd say Emory because when you go to college, you are on your own whether or not you are 4 or 400 hours from home.</p>

<p>Your post screamed connection to me, and the smaller the school, the greater the attention to connection.</p>

<p>The downside to UW is that of those 20,000 undergrads, about 80% of them are within an hour of campus since UW is smack in the middle of the population center of the state. OOS and those from eastern WA say the biggest problem with UW is that the place literally empties on the weekends because students literally go down to the HUB and catch buses home.</p>

3

<p>college is such a great time to have a "new" experience. I love the PNW but would say Emory and if you find yourself not happy then you could transfer. UW is a great school and a good choice. Still-to experience a different part of the world/people etc....</p>

4

<p>Emory. You will find a home there, and it will be more supportive than UW. Plus, if you decide that you don't want to stay at Emory after your freshman year, transferring would be easier to UW than the other way around (UW to Emory). Go for it! ;)</p>

5

<p>I agree with the others. There's no better time in your life than college to try living in a new environment. Virtually everyone is in the same boat, and the college has supports to help you adjust. If it ends up that after a year, you are unhappy, you can transfer without doing what people have to do after college: sell a home, find a job, and get the approval of their spouse.</p>

<p>Realize, too, that virtually every college freshman has some adjustment problems. Virtually everyone has to make new friends, and learn the rules of a new environment even if they are only an hour's drive from home. So, give yourself at least a year to adjust. Many people don't make friends and find a place for themselves in campus ECs until second semester.</p>

6

<p>I'm of the 'jump into the new" camp too. Emory has so many strengths and the size difference will make a big difference in the sense of community and connection. You will make friends there and among them will be others who feel temporarily "dislocated" from home/friends and therefore will also be looking for new friends. College is like that. And when you go home for a visit your local friends will be there and glad to see you too. This is a world-expanding phase of your life and you have qualified for some great options. If you try the more adventurous choice, and learn that it is really not right, you can re-trench to the more familiar. But if you don't leap now, you will never know what you've missed..</p>

7

<p>the prestige isn't worth it but the experience and the chance to get to know the other side of your family better is. Congratulations. Truely you will be fine! </p>

<p>When school starts, leave your dorm room door open, take advantage of the freshman orrientation activities, set a date w/ your dad to take you out to dinner sometime in the first couple of weeks. </p>

<p>For now, set yourself to work getting excited about Emory instead of worrying about the distance. You have an exciting adventure ahead of you.</p>

8

<p>Do did you decide?</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
I haven't been able to visit either of the school's but I am driving up to U-dub tomorrow. Emory is too far away and we cannot afford the airfare.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If the airfare to Emory is to expensive for you now, will it be too expensive during the school year? You might feel stranded if you cannot get home for the holidays etc. Being closer to your mother and friends at UW, and being able to catch rides home in your friends' cars could be worth a lot, not just in airfare saved, but in staying connected. All other costs being equal, this is one cost that you might consider.</p>

10

<p>Good point, ucla band mom. We're on the west coast, D is at school on the east coast. During the school year, she flies home for Christmas--we don't see her at Thanksgiving or Spring break.</p>

11

<p>ucla band mom, I was wondering about that too. krista_bacon, any way your parents could spring for airfare? If not, how about a small yearly loan so that you could afford to fly home to Mom? Most students graduate with some loans.</p>

12

<p>I grew up in Iowa, and went to college in Pennsylvania, and later to graduate school in New York State. I got home at Winter Break and in the summer. I had good friends whose families adopted me for Spring Break, and I also did short-term externships during Spring Break a couple of times. My mother's extended family lived in PA and Maryland, so I had places to go on short breaks and at Thanksgiving. I also took my college friends along with me. It can work.</p>

<p>But UCLA Band Mom does have a point. Be sure that you can cover the expense of the coast-to-coast travel that you will be doing a couple of times a year!</p>

<p>All the best.</p>

13

<p>I'm in Georgia - I'd vote for UW. Emory's an odd place - sort of a medical center with a college attached. It has a sort of disjointed feel to me, and while Georgians think it's a big deal, I don't know that the name has a lot of cachet in other areas of the country. But the Pacific NW seems exotic and alluring to me. If you're from there, maybe it's not as big a draw.</p>

14

<p>Does anyone else think that Emory has a disjointed feeling? What are some of the things that you like/dislike about Emory?</p>

15

<p>The Emory College community is about 1200 students--and even if you are surrounded by the university/med center, this will be the heart of your undergrad experience in terms of community and connections. I hope you are also linking to some actual Emory students (through this board or some other networking site), because you need the perspective of students close to you in age, not just parents--who have useful advice of course but are not going to be able to reflect on the same concerns you are feeling right now. It is fine to decide clearly that you are really not ready to leave your home territory yet or don't want to have the added expense of travel--but don't let vague fears lead you to avoid the adventure of expanding your horizons when the opportunity is before you. If you can't be specific about why it is a bad thing to go, then it is worth a try so that you can make a comparison based on evidence, not conjecture.</p>

16

<p>First, congrats on acceptance to two fine schools!</p>

<p>Normally I would make a major pitch for financial fit over prestige. But Emory has made it possible for you to attend either. So unless you're drawn to the large university scene, wouldn't mind bumping into people from HS, and can live with the wet weather, I'd say go with Emory. True, you'd be a distance from mom and friends, and you might have to work some more hours to raise transportation money; but it might be worth it. And, of course, it might be a good time to explore the other half of your family tree a bit.</p>

<p>Keep us posted on your decision.</p>

17

<p>Thanks for all of your responses! I'm still feeling really torn. I'm having trouble deciding on Emory without having been there and getting a feel for the campus and the students. On the other hand, I can't really see myself going to a school that is as large as the University of Washington either. I really just don't know. I feel lost...</p>

18

<p>I feel lost..makes sense...and it also suggests that you will feel less "lost" in a smaller school. </p>

<p>Still,there is no "wrong" or "right" decision there though. The real work is getting out of your "head" and learning what your heart is telling you...How would you feel if Emory called and revoked your admission. Relieved? Disappointed? How would you feel if UW revoked your admission??? Spend a day imagining you are at one; then a day imagining you are at the other. Then compare how you feel at the end of each day. You will make the right decision. And if you don't, it is not a life-threatening problem;; it is just something you will will learn from....Hang in there and good luck..</p>

19

<p>While I am still undecided as of now, I am leaning a bit more towards one school than the other. Is anyone willing to give some last minute opinions?!?!?!!?</p>

20

<p>Congratulations on your great choices. The problem is we're all strangers to you, but if it's any help I'd go w/ Emory. It sounds like you'd thrive in a smaller more intimate setting, and while it's away from your mom you can get home on winter breaks/summer (second using part of loan funds if necessary and allowable) and you're still close to other family. It's too late if you didn't, but did you request the CD? What did you think?</p>