<p>I just found out i was waitlisted at duke(on my birthday no less). Duke has been my dream school since almost kindergarten and i absolutely love everything about it. My dad just lost his job and but before he was making just over 150k so i probably won't qualify for financial aid even if i am accepted. I'm also accepted to GaTech, USC(half-tuition), A&M(full tution +15k for housing), UT(3/4 tuition), and OU(full ride). Duke is definitely my favorite but is staying on the wait-list worth it if i don't receive any financial aid and have to pay 150k more than i would at UT? I'm planning on majoring in engineering(leanings towards electrical or biomed) but am not dead set. Any advice?</p>
<p>I would just take your state school. Duke’s engineering program is good but not one of the top in the nation, so in my opinion it’s not worth it to pay so much more money when a strong state program will do you just fine.</p>
<p>Duke is not worth it over UTexas.</p>
<p>Texas is a great school. Duke is definitely not worth it since you’ll accrue a whole lot of debt which will cause lots of problems in the future.</p>
<p>That Texas A&M offers sounds spectacular. I would go with that. If not then UT Austin. Duke is not worth the cost with these two great options.</p>
<p>The A&M offer is excellent, but A&M is a very unique culture and is not for everyone. If you have visited, can adjust to the hideous campus, and are on the conservative side, then go for it. Otherwise, go to Austin.</p>
<p>Good point on the extremely conservative AM campus. I would opt for Austin.</p>
<p>yep i can get used to the hideous campus, conservative isn’t all bad im just worried about being stuck in the middle of absolutely nowhere</p>
<p>^I have about the same feelings towards A&M. I’d go to UT as the engineering is just as good, and alot would say better than, Duke. Duke’s a great school, but not worth that kind of debt when you are going into engineering and could go to A&M or UT. Go to T though, you’ll have the most fun.</p>
<p>For engieering, it’s not worth the money if it’s a stretch for your family. Studies show that there is little salary difference in typical engineering jobs no matter where you go to college.</p>
<p>Duke is definitely not worth it in your case.</p>
<p>Definitely go with A&M or Austin.The A&M offer is too good to pass up. and 3/4 tuition at austin isn’t bad either.</p>
<p>Stay on the wait list and see if you qualify for financial aid. I am one to think that money should not interfere drastically with a life changing decision. You are spending your next four years at college, and it will be one of the few times where you will look back and reflect on many things. When you look back though, regardless of debt… you want to remember that you were at the place you loved.</p>
<p>I get the feeling Rutgers was born in '89 and has never had bills to pay or debt to face, much less faced unemployment in a major recession or been hit with college bills.</p>
<p>haha kinda how i feel</p>
<p>Rutgers89 from Rutgers65:</p>
<p>“Life changing.” College is most often seminal not terminal.</p>
<p>It looks like Duke may not even be an option. A waitlisting does not guarantee admissions.</p>
<p>How can one judge if Duke is “worth it” if the OP hasn’t even been accepted ? 
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well, I’d think debt can change life, A LOT sometime. It’d be a strange to choose Duke over UT Austin and carry a lot of debt when UT Austin’s engineering is more well-known and ranked a lot higher to begin with.</p>
<p>tru dat, Hmom and Sam. Debt <em>is</em> a life altering experience that, for many, drives worries and concern and sucks the joy out of life.</p>
<p>Avoid debt that will be a struggle to service over an extended period of time.</p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptances. You have some fantastic offers. I’d take up either Texas or Texas A&M’s offer and you’ll be forgetting Duke by October…the football is much better. :P</p>