If only money wasn't an issue... High Ranking State Public vs. Dream School

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Alright, I've got it down to two, and I'm down to the wire.</p>

<p>The University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
-I'll save about $15,000 over four years after all financial issues are worked out, have a financial head start on grad school.</p>

<p>Washington and Lee University
-Acceptance rate of 17% this year, guides and such show 27% a few years ago, prestige increase coming? worth the extra money?</p>

<p>I can graduate with a bachelor's degree from both debt free assuming we've done the numbers right, and I want to major in either history or political science.</p>

<p>My heart leans one way, my mind leans another, any advice?</p>

2

<p>Is the total difference really $15,000 for four years? IMO, Illinois is a good place to get a degree; W&L can be a life-changing experience that will shape your values and interests for a lifetime. At whatever point in life you’d entertain buying a new car, buy a used one instead and you’ve made up the differnce!</p>

3

<p>My dad has it figured that through all aid packages we’re $6200 short of this year’s tuition at W&L. I can throw $3000 from my own personal savings, figure $3200 short this year. There will be tuition inflation, but I will also (hopefully) have more time to get a job during college without playing a varsity sport every season, which puts me at the $15000 estimate over four years which will be in the form of a loan from my parents to me which I will repay interest free to them with money that I could use for grad school.</p>

<p>So it’s not an exact science, but that is where I arrived at that number.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think $15,000 is that much debt hanging over your head. W&L seems like an incredible place - I had my heart set on it until I realized I could pretty much never get in, so congratulations! I’d pick W&L, but if the money is that big of an issue, UIUC is a fine school as well.</p>

5

<p>If the $15K over four years estimate is good, I find that difference negligible. As GADAD said that is the difference between a new and used car.</p>

6

<p>not a big deal…hah. two of my schools are almost $50 k apart</p>

7

<p>Definitely Washington and Lee.</p>

8

<p>dude id definitely spring for W&L. it really is on the rise. i love it there, gonna apply for sure.</p>

<p>if you want to do history or poli sci or anythign like that then W&L even more</p>

9

<p>I feel exactly the same way! But my decision is different - UW Seattle and Syracuse, and then of course the cost difference is $18,000/yr.</p>

<p>Granted I can afford both, but since I’m considering grad school as well…</p>

10

<p>The only way W&L will have a life-changing impact on anyone is if they are not already a khaki and blazer wearing Republican country-clubber. It’s probably one of the most conformist throw-back to the 50’s schools left in the US now that Vandy has gone off the WASP reservation.</p>

11

<p>Ouch. I was thinking it, but barrons said it.</p>

<p>blueliner, you said that you’d graduate from both loan-free. Go for the school you like more.</p>

12

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<p>Yup. If your poli-sci is bent liberal, you should run not walk to the nearest exit. You will not be happy there.</p>

13

<p>Nice Barrons, always good to see a liberal being extremely intolerant. Totally throws off the whole “tolerant liberal” viewpoint.</p>

14

<p>

I was thinking the same thing…</p>

15

<p>Emory2013- tolerance indeed.

</p>

<p>Of course, that’s irrelevant for the OP. Presumably (s)he feels that community is a good fit for him/her.</p>

16

<p>^^</p>

<p>That’s a very sad read considering that my good, gay, black friend will be attending W&L next year. I hope he can survive it socially. Personally, I was expecting to apply to W&L (they sent me a ton of literature and emails) but couldn’t fathom being surrounded by frat/drinking culture.</p>

17

<p>Frats that don’t like homosexuals…what else is new.</p>

18

<p>

Frats that DO like homosexuals… that’s what the COOL schools are like anyway.</p>

19

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<p>Where are these schools? My friend who is a junior right now wants to be in a frat but he is worried about the homophobia there. I would like to know.</p>

20

<p>“Nice Barrons, always good to see a liberal being extremely intolerant. Totally throws off the whole “tolerant liberal” viewpoint.”</p>

<p>One thing I have never been called here is a liberal. I love wearing my khakis and BB blazer. But then I’m a middle-aged Republican business person who plans to retire to central Virginia just because it is so conservative and I won’t have to ever endure Seattle liberals again.</p>