<p>So, I have to say, I've always dreamed of going to a really selective college, but lately I've been wondering if it is really worth it. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably apply, but doesn't it make sense to go to a good state school with an honors college on a full ride rather than going to a "brand name school" and ending up with a ton of debt? I mean, I'm definately going to grad school, so shouldn't I try to do undergrad for as little money as possible? My mom will support me wherever I want to go, but she says that it ultimately doesn't matter where you went to college, but that you went period and were sucessful. I'm not sure my competitive nature will allow me to pass up an Ivy or something, though... what is your guys' take?</p>
<p>Yup that's basically how I've been thinking, too. I figure I'll wait until I get accepted and see what the fin aid is, because the Ivies are typically very generous with their 'need' based aid. It really does depend.</p>
<p>Now, for a dream school I'm willing to take on the general consensus of up to 20k debt that many seem to think reasonable. But if I have a choice between 20k debt to my fave and a free ride to one that I still consider good... I'm definitely going for the free ride.</p>
<p>Your mom's right. It doesn't matter where you go, for the most part, if you're doing grad school. It doesn't matter what major you have, or if you went to ivy or a state school. Yes, you might have a .1% better chance on your choice of grad school if you go to ivy... but in the grand scheme of things, that's not worth >$20,000 debt.</p>
<p>I would pay less to go to my dream school then to go to my state school...</p>
<p>Since Harvard initiated their new financial aid policies, I would basically go for free...but Penn State (i'm in PA) is very very very stingy with financial Aid.</p>
<p>Yeah, for me Harvard costs roughly half of what it would cost at a SUNY.</p>
<p>I'd have to say it depends. For me, no matter where I go I'm sure it'll be pretty close to free, so money really isn't that big of an issue. If you get accepted to both your dream school and an average state school, it would depend on why you were attracted to your dream school. If you're just attracted to the name and clout, then you're considering it for the wrong reasons. If you're attracted to individual departments, the academics, and the atmosphere, then it is truly a dream school.</p>
<p>In my case, MIT is my dream school and UF is my in-state back up. From what I've heard, UF has a pretty good MechE department, but it is far better at MIT with way more undergraduate opportunities. Obviously I'd pick MIT if I had the choice. If money was an issue for me, I'd still pick MIT for almost any amount of debt. You really have to sit back and consider how bad do you want it and what this dream school means to you.</p>
<p>It also depends on what you want to get out of your undergraduate education. If you just want to get by on the bare minimum requirements and then get serious in grad school, then any school should work for you, but if you're interested in being serious about your prospective major the whole way through, then you should be a little more selective in where you decide to do you undergraduate schooling, looking for things such as internships, co-ops, and special programs available ahead of time.</p>