<p>SoCal18; there's not one person here who can give you an honest opinion on which school you should select and which one is better for you. Your pros/cons negative/positives mean absolutely nothing to anyone else. What you consider a negative could just as easily be a positive for someone else.</p>
<p>Unless you think that your grades are such that it would be difficult for you to get into a college/university, then your choice of which school to choose is not that difficult.</p>
<p>Most people sort of know which school they "REALLY" want before they even apply. Unfortunately, students/parents make 2 very bad choices when applying to schools. 1st; The DON'T apply to the school they "REALLY" want to attend because they think there's no way they can get in. Either academically or financially. (It's like not asking the prettiest girl at school to dance because she'll [probably] say no. She winds up not dancing because no one asks her). 2nd; They apply to schools that they normally would never had chosen to go to, but because it was a free application they went ahead and applied. (Big waste of time. Good for an ego boost, but that's about it. Many schools do this because of low enrollment. It's tuff on some kids because they actually want to go to some of these schools).</p>
<p>My suggestion; which helped me, my kids, friends, high school class mates, etc... all get into the colleges they wanted.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Apply to all of the schools that you really want to go to. Don't think about the logistics of price, grades, distance, etc.... If you've been researching schools that will help you with you degree and future, and know which ones you would drool over, then apply to them.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't apply to schools that you don't have any real desire to attend. Even though they offer a "Free" application and waiver the app fees, doesn't mean you have to apply. Remember, for them, it's a business; for you it's your future. Free app or not; if you normally wouldn't have applied there, then don't apply there. You don't really want that school, so why may it a part of your selection headache. Of course, if your grades are such that you aren't sure if you can get into college, then it doesn't hurt. At least you'll know if you have an option.</p></li>
<li><p>When you finally get your acceptances, list them in order of how much you really like them. Which one will best get you to your goal. If your goal is the name recognition of the school for when you apply for a job, then that is one thing to consider. The goal might be the "Social" experience of going off to college. The goal might be the school's ability to offer internship positions with companies, studying abroad, or a host of other things.</p></li>
<li><p>Once you have them in order of your most favorite, then decide which one you can afford. There's 3 parts to what you can afford. What you and/or your family can pay. What scholarships, grants, merits, other aid, you can get. And what you are willing to borrow and willing to have to pay back, to go to the particular school. You may find that school "A" is your #1 choice, but when all is said and done you will have to borrow $60-$80,000 over the next 4-5 years to go there. On the other hand, your #2 choice might not require any loans or a much lower amount. You have to determine how important it is to you to have such a debt for you or your parents once you graduate.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>With the exception of some technical careers, pre-med, certain junior entry job positions, etc.... which college/university you go to is not that important. It is more important that you go to a school that you like, are comfortable with, and doesn't put you into financial debt for the next 10 years after you graduate. Some people will tell you that the name of the school is extremely important. Except for certain reasons I mentioned earlier; such as a research position where an MIT/caltech/etc... graducation means something; or a position with a certain financial/business firm where a harvard type degree means something, it isn't important. Especially if you are eventually going to go to graduate school, then most times the school you went to for undergraduate isn't that important.</p>
<p>So, you need to decide which schools will help you get to where you want to be. Professionally, financially, socially, college experience, debt, etc... Then you choose which one you like. Don't mention to others the pros and cons. That doesn't mean anything to them. Or should I say; it doesn't mean THE SAME THING to them as it does you. The only questions you should ask others about a particular school, are particular questions such as cost of living, certain teaching practices, certain social opportunities, etc... Trying to get others to compare 2 or more schools is totally useless. There is absolutely no way for anyone to tell you which school is best for you. Only you know that. For some students; including the 4.0gpa, valedictorian, student will 3 full ride offers to colleges, etc... sometimes the "State-U" is the best choice. For those who haven't even thought about college until now, State-U or community college might be best for them because of their lack of ability to plan ahead and organize their thought. I.e. If a person hasn't applied to their dream schools by now, then maybe they were meant to be looking at State-U.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck with your endeavor. Forget what others say you should do. Choose what you think is right for you and what you can afford. Happy New Year.</p>