<p>I'm conflicted. One offers financial security, and the perks of a free dorm in Manhattan and money to study abroad and intern. The other is a well-renowned university that will provide me with a unique academic experience</p>
<p>I don't want "the name" to influence my decision, but Macaulay Honors is pretty much unheard of outside of New York, even though it is a prestigious program. Does that make a difference?
And academics wise, how do they rank up against each other?
I plan on going in undecided. But I'm leaning towards majoring in neuroscience. </p>
<p>My daugter is debating between Macaulay Honors at Hunter and SUNY Geneseo. She also got into Brandeis and University of Rochester but Brandeis offered nothing and she preferred Geneseo to Rochester. You have a harder decision with Cornell but I am really trying to get her to consider Macaulay…she is also undecided but may want to go into teaching. You may also want to consider the cost of grad school after undergrad, as well as whether you are likely to stay in NY. My daughter says she will likely want to stay in NYC.</p>
<p>If you are concerned about eventually pursuing graduate studies, don’t worry. Macaulay is known to the people who will be reading your grad school applications. If you choose that option and do well in your classes, you will be fine. Only you and your parents know whether or not Cornell will be affordable for you. Sit down with a calculator like [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) and work through the numbers.</p>
<p>Are you a New York State resident? If you are, you would pay in-state rates for biological science programs in Ag and Life Sciences and in Human Ecology. If you can, try to pay a visit to both Hunter and Cornell so that you can get a feel for them. Ithaca is a very special place, and I have fond memories of the seven years I was there while Happydad and I were in grad school. But not everyone likes being that far away from the rest of the world.</p>
<p>We are seriously trying to get our daughter to consider Macaulay…I mean, even the state school will cost us at least $15,000 a year. Versus free…living in NYC in Gramercy Park are (we couldn’t afford to live there).</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback everyone. I’m gonna visit Cornell next week, and see if that makes my decision any easier. Financial aid is gonna be the deciding factor in the end. </p>
<p>To SueMac: It’s tough to decide whether it’s worth paying that much money for an education. Although, I think the academics at SUNY Geneseo and Macaulay are both equally excellent. Good luck to your daughter and I hope she’s happy wherever she ends up.</p>
<p>My Daughter is declining her offer to attend Cornell in favor of Macaulay Hunter. Very practical kid. I could pay the nearly 60K annually for Cornell, but it would significantly impact my retirement standard of living.
After spending the day at the Macauley accepted students open house, I feel very good about the quality of education she will receive at Hunter.</p>
<p>It has been mentioned that free dorming is included with Macaulay. This is for the first year only and does not include meals.After the first year you pay the going rate for the dorm or the student tries the find an apartment.</p>