<p>My son has been accepted to University of Maryland College Park (Arts and Sciences) and University at Buffalo Engineering. We live in NY and he has also been offered a partial scholarship to Buffalo (nothing at Maryland - so OOS tuition). Question is - which should he choose. Loved Maryland's campus but can't beat the price and opportunity at Buffalo already being in Engineering. Although there is a slight chance he could change his major.</p>
<p>He is considering giving Buffalo a try and then transferring if it isn't a fit. He doesn't want us to spend the extra money on Maryland. We want what's best for him but the low tuition is very appealing. What is a better choice?</p>
<p>Run the numbers here [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) Then have a nice long chat about just exactly what everyone could do with the money saved if your son chooses the less expensive institution.</p>
<p>That’s one of the reasons that he is leaning towards Buffalo. He wants to study abroad, etc. and if he goes to Buffalo all that will be possible. I want him to think long term. I guess I feel guilty.</p>
<p>Also, is transferring risky?</p>
<p>Lots of kids transfer every single year. If he starts at Buffalo and decides that he doesn’t like it, he can apply for transfer. By then he should have a better idea of his life goals, and he may well have a completely different list than he has right now.</p>
<p>If he does choose UMD, and does transfer successfully from Arts & Sciences into Engineering, what is the likelihood that he will finish in only four years? My concern as a parent would be that UMD could put me on the hook for five years (or even more) of that OOS tuition.</p>
<p>Do not waste one more second of your life feeling guilty about encouraging your child to make a wise choice about how to spend his money! You are doing the right thing by helping him think through the potential consequences of spending too much money on something that is not truly necessary.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you for that level headed advice. Do you think that the prestige of Maryland justifies added expense vs. Buffalo?</p>
<p>Actually I think you may have already answered that.</p>
<p>Buffalo is one of the most prestigious SUNY’s. The prestige difference is so small that I don’t think Maryland would be worth it.</p>