Well, the title of this discussion pretty much says it all. Is it better to pick a college that I just fell in love with on my tour (Clemson) over a more prestigious one (UNC Chapel Hill) that I still liked but just didn’t fall in love with?
Don’t be a prestige ho
Yes. Much better, as long as it is a good fit.
@GMTplus7 @JustOneDad Thanks guys!
Yes.
Absolutely.
Would you rather spend the next 4 years at a place you want to be , or a place that other people want to be/wish they had gone?
The use of the word love suggests the decision is emotional. Since you have months to make a decision, see how you feel after the summer.
How many times does a 17 year old fall in love with something only to realize it wasn’t the right decision?
Absolutely!! Also remember that Clemson is a great school too!
Definitely! You don’t want to go to a school you don’t love. You’d be stuck in a place you don’t like for 4 years, wishing that you picked the school you really wanted. Go to the college you like the most. Clemson is not a bad college at all!
Yes, absolutely! Also, Clemson is no stick in the mud either. 
I would say:
- Don’t base decisions on emotions.
- Depends on goals.
- Consider costs as well. Assuming that both schools have majors that you are considering, I would not pay more for Clemson over UNC.
I say go where you feel most comfortable. Listen to your gut. Intuition can be a powerful thing. You’ve obviously visited both schools and have done your research so you can make an informed decision . Discuss it with your parents and then make the decision . It’s difficult to give feedback som
I agree that you should trust you gut, but I wouldn’t base your decisions on one tour. Do plenty of research and talk to students. One bad (or great) tour guide shouldn’t be the only factor.
While Clemson isn’t as prestigious as UNC Chapel Hill, Clemson is still a very nice school. Most people I know make these decisions based on money. If Clemson is cheaper for you then I say go to Clemson. I know a girl who could have probably got into UNC-CH but went to ECU because it was closer to home and she got a full ride.
I say you make a very detailed list of things you like and don’t like at both schools. Things like political views, how friendly the students are, the campus scenery, how far away is the campus from your parents, even how many people attend the football games (This was actually on my list). If you’re from NC I highly recommend this since UNC-CH is most likely cheaper for you. Who knows? You might end up liking UNC better.
BatesParents2019 is absolutely right. I’m 17 and I’ve changed my top schools a million times.
I have the same problem, but it seems I will not be able to make a decision until I am accepted to whatever schools will take me and figure out the financial aid offer from each place I am admitted to. Man, being a rising senior kind of sucks in the mental health department.
Clemson does give merit aid to OOS students with good SAT/ ACT scores, just FYI. I agree that a second tour can be helpful . Our first tour was less than favorable , but our second tour was amazing . I’ve heard a lot if people recommend attending the accepted student weekend to get a good feel of peers that would be attending school with you. Just a suggestion. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
If you prefer it, choose it. Simple as that (assuming an admission of course!)
If your emotional self and your rational self aren’t in agreement, maybe you need to keep looking.
Yes. Happy students produce successful students.
Well, there is a more important issue that will likely mean that Clemson won’t be affordable for you…
You should have included the very relevant fact that you’re OOS and from a modest income family.
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I’m slightly clueless about the whole college experience (I’m the oldest daughter of a single mom who didn’t go to college), so could anyone help me figure out my chances at my top schools?
Age: 16
Race: White
Gender: Female
Major: Marketing
Schools:
UPenn
Georgetown
Columbia
UNC Chapel Hill (I’m in state for UNC)
Class Rank: 29 out of 628 so top 5%
SAT: 1960 (640r, 670m, 650w, 7e) the first time without studying, I know it sucks and I’ve prepared a lot more and plan on taking it again
ACT: 31 (34e, 28m, 29r, 33s, 6e) again the first time without studying and I plan to retake and do a lot better
Weighted GPA: 4.81
Unweighted GPA: 3.9
If it helps, I’m the oldest daughter of a single mom who’s a high school dropout and makes about $40,000 a year. Thanks so much!
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You’re OOS for Clemson and the cost is high. You may get some merit for your ACT 31, But not enough to make it affordable since it appears that your mom can’t afford to pay.
Clemson isn’t going to give you need based aid to afford the school. Did you run the Net Price Calculator on the website? IF so, what were the results? Since Clemson has a high OOS cost, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that even after a merit scholarship, the cost will be about $30k per year, which would be virtually impossible for your mom to pay.
UNC will meet need for you. Revisit it and give it another chance. Also, include more schools that meet need.