<p>NU is my dream. However, everywhere I go people tell me to go where I get the most money because I'm going to be paying for graduate school.</p>
<p>My parents are willing to pay for any school I want go to [still going to seek FA and outside scholarships].</p>
<p>What will be the advantage of paying more?</p>
<p>This of course applies to any top/well-known schools.</p>
<p>Regardless its my dream and doubt even $ can change that.</p>
<p>You’ve asked an impossible question.</p>
<p>Brighter students? Better facilities? Flexibility (if you decide not to go to grad schol or med school, you’ve graduated from a better school).</p>
<p>You can absolutely get into any Grad School in the country from a lower-tiered school, but many more students from the top tier schools do so. </p>
<p>However, it may very well be that the people who go to the best graduate schools from the lower tiered schools are disproportionately those who could have gone to the top-tiered school if they could afford it.</p>
<p>There is very little hard data one way or the other to indicate whether it’s worth it. The only serious study I’ve seen comes out of Princeton – where researchers tracked Ivy League students vs those who were accepted at Ivy League Schools but went elsewhere for whatever reason. The study does not find a statistically significant difference in lifetime earnings, if I recall.</p>
<p>Still, many of us believe that name schools are worth the money. Long and short of it, if you can get over the finances, you won’t be sorry.</p>
<p>This is purely anecdotal, but a relative who has been a high school counselor for over 30 years told us to do whatever it took to send D to NU (her top choice). </p>
<p>She said she’s seen MANY students over the years opt for cheaper schools, only to be dissatisfied and subsequently transfer and require an extra year to graduate, become disenchanted with school in general and not continue for a graduate degree, or drop out altogether. </p>
<p>On the other hand, she says that students who do whatever it takes to go to their top choice schools usually excel and find all sorts of creative ways to continue their education. </p>
<p>Also – at least in the past I know there was a lot more money available for grad school than for undergraduates. </p>
<p>Still, I personally wouldn’t go deeply in debt for an undergrad degree.</p>
<p>Oh no, my parents have a decent income and are willing to pay for things that are worth it. If I believe going to my #1 is, they would be willing to pay. However, I wasn’t raised to throw money around just because I had it. My parents would be where they were when they came to America if they did that.</p>
<p>@SeniorIndian – Perfect attitude! </p>
<p>It sounds like under the circumstances you’re the only one who can decide if it’s worth it for you. In D’s case NU was the only school that offered the balance she wanted between a strong music theatre program, elite academic standards, a traditional college environment and the ability to double major in 4 years. For others the case for NU might not be as clear cut.</p>
<p>I went to a public university on essentially a full-ride over plenty of other “better” schools and got into NU/Kellogg for my doctorate.</p>
<p>Honestly, there are lots of explicit advantages about attending a top school, but there exactly a ceiling placed on those that aren’t. It’s very much the student and what they do while they’re in undergrad that determines their success–going to brand name schools help open a few more doors, but they don’t guarantee anything without your putting in the effort.</p>
<p>Anyway, you seem like a bright kid. Your parents are making good money. It’s really your call. I wasn’t in such a lucky situation, so if NU were my dream school, I’d go to a cheaper/free school and attend Feinberg if admitted haha</p>
<p>If only my dream wasn’t so expensive. Thanks guys.(:</p>