<p>For a long time, I thought it wasn't. What I mean is that I live in Indiana so I have the ability to go to purdue for the low instate price. I also qualify for the $8000 scholarship per year at purdue, so all I'd pay for is room and board. I want to major in engineering, and purdue's good for that, so I thought all right I'm good to go. But I got to thinking--what if by going there I miss out on opportunities private colleges like Northwestern or MIT would offer me? For example my brother's a senior and he got into MIT. Right now my family has to decide if it's worth spending all that money on MIT or if Purdue is the better deal. So what's your opinion?</p>
<p>If you put this post in the Parents Forum, I think you will start a rather animated discussion.</p>
<p>Ha. Yeah, dadinator, indeed it would. ;)</p>
<p>Are you saying that your parents are paying for your brother at MIT? Or that your brother got into MIT, but has to decide whether to go there?</p>
<p>Are you a junior or a senior? I’m a little confused by your post. I’m guessing that you’re a junior with scores high enough that you already know that you’d get a tuition scholarship from Purdue, and your bro is a senior in high school who’s in the same boat (and already has an MIT acceptance).</p>
<p>You need to apply to both Purdue and MIT and see what happens. If MIT doesn’t give you any aid at all, and paying $50k per year isn’t doable for your family, then your answer will be quite clear.</p>
<p>However, if MIT gives you a huge FA package, then go there - if you like that school more. BTW…since your bro has already been accepted to MIT, what was in his aid package???</p>
<p>You also need to think about what “kind” of school do you want. MIT is very competitive and may not be “fun”. Purdue would provide more of a “full campus” experience - sports to watch, etc.</p>
<p>Maybe if you go to Purdue for cheap, your parents will pay for a semester abroad somewhere. That semester abroad may not be affordable if they have to pay too much for MIT. </p>
<p>There may be some compromises. My DS1 took a big scholarship, and we bought him the car of his choice (which was much cheaper than one year’s COA. He’ll also do a semester abroad.</p>
<p>My brother got into MIT early action, and he has to decide between there and purdue. He’s a senior, and yea I’m a junior with scores high enough that I know i’ll get the Purdue tuition scholarship. My brother just got the letter from purdue today saying he got that scholarship.
We still don’t know my brother’s aid package for MIT, but it’s likely we will get little to no financial aid as my parents make around 180K yearly and have a lot of savings.
And you’re right, MIT might not be as well rounded as somewhere like Purdue in terms of social life/“fun” and opportunities to study abroad etc…I think the choice to go to either school would involve sacrifices, and I do understand it’s a huge decision that really is only up to my brother/family, but I was just wondering what other people’s opinions were on the matter.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. I thought I was guessing right, but wasn’t sure. :)</p>
<p>Thankfully, you still have time to decide. 
Also, if your scores are that good, you might even have other choices available, too. :)</p>
<p>Will you make NMSF? If so, you’ll have some offers thru that, too. </p>
<p>Will you have the opportunity to visit MIT when your brother visits the campus? </p>
<p>*And you’re right, MIT might not be as well rounded as somewhere like Purdue in terms of social life/“fun” and opportunities to study abroad etc…I think the choice to go to either school would involve sacrifices, *</p>
<p>That would be my concern. I would be concerned that you would go to MIT, be unhappy with the atmosphere (if you’re a social person) and then it would be too late to take the merit scholarship at Purdue (which is excellent in engineering - my H went there.) It’s not as if your choices are between MIT and some crummy school with mediocre engineering. You have 2 (or more!) great choices. :)</p>
<p>You need to think about what you want out of your college years…of course you want a good education (that goes without saying), but what else? You have to consider that you’ll be there for 4 years, and if the atmosphere or culture isn’t right for you, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you thrive in the MIT type of atmosphere, then great! :)</p>