<p>Hello! This is my first post on here and it looks like there are a lot of helpful users out there----I could really use your help! I am a high school senior from Austin, Texas with a 3.5 GPA and 30 ACT score. I plan on majoring in Business/minoring in PoliSci and potentially going to Law school or getting my MBA. I have narrowed my college choices down to two schools. One is Auburn University and the other is Colorado State University. Here is what I like and dislike about each school.</p>
<p>Auburn-People were so friendly and kind! It is a name that is widely recognized (especially now with Cam Newton!) and is a respected school. The campus was beautiful but I was not too fond of the little town of Auburn, AL. The cost of attendance at AU for me is about $16k a year with the scholarship I received. I am worried that there are not many activities to keep me from partying the whole time (not much of a partier but don't know if that would change in such a small college town). Also, I am worried about job placement after college and whether there is much recruiting going on in such a small town where the closest major city is 2 hours away (Atlanta).
ColoState-GORGEOUS campus! Really felt a connection when I first entered the campus. The business program (what I am planning on majoring in) is ranked highly and has just received a lot of new funding and renovations on the buildings. I absolutely loved Ft. Collins! It seemed to be just the right size. Also, there would be a lot of outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking, etc. that would be amazing to experience. The downside is the cost--$24k a year. Also, I'm not sure if it is as nationally recognized as Auburn. However, Denver is close and is more desirable to live in than Atlanta, and it would be an unforgettable experience. </p>
<p>Overall, I am not too worried about the cost, but am more worried about which will lead to a more positive experience and better life for me. I also don't know whether the reputation of the school is as important as it seems to be. Please let me know what you think! I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>You won’t enjoy the freedom of ft. Collins in Alabama. If you feel you’ll be able to handle the cold winters of Colorado (I’m from TX too, everywhere else seems freaking cold), you ought to go for C state because both are good for career development.</p>
<p>Auburn’s national reputation rests largely with football. The fact that you would have a degree from Auburn would be of no particular value over a degree from Colorado State. I have a son with good academic stats who loves the Mountain West, and I’ve been checking out potential college options in that part of the country (there aren’t many). I knew very little about CSU before I began looking, but I’m very impressed that everything I’ve been able to find online has been glowing. For the last several years, CNN Money has listed Fort Collins as one of the top ( sometimes, the #1) places to live in America.</p>
<p>The downside is the cost–$24k a year. Also, I’m not sure if it is as nationally recognized as Auburn.</p>
<p>What is your budget? How much will your parents pay. </p>
<p>The cost difference $16k vs $24k may not seem like much ($8k), but if your parents won’t pay that much, that will be a problem. </p>
<p>If cost is an issue, then Col St won’t work because you’re limited to how much you can borrow (and CSU isn’t worth a bunch of debt).</p>
<p>As far as AU’s national recognition…I’m a native Californian…worked many years in Calif aerospace…Auburn is nationally known for engineering…but probably not much else. However, CSU isn’t nationally known either…so no plus there for CSU.</p>
<p>If you think that a school is worth $8k more per year for skiing ($32k for 4 years), I think that’s a bit nutty…actually, more than a bit nutty! With that much money, you could travel to various places in the US and the world. </p>
<p>You probably should have applied to Bama…same scholarship, good sized city, on a river, has kayaking and such, more off campus things to do, prettier campus…better for liberal arts and pre-law…good B-school. Bama might match your Auburn scholarship if you applied.</p>