MSU Honors College vs Full Ride

<p>I would appreciate any input regarding my college decision. I have been accepted to Michigan State University, in the Lymann Briggs residential college and Honors College. I received a $5000/year scholarship through the HC along with a Professorial internship. In addition, my dad works for MSU, so I get half off tuition. </p>

<p>I was also awarded a full ride scholarship from Northern Michigan University (in Marquette) which covers tuition/fees and room/board for 4 years. </p>

<p>As a prospective chemistry major (with the intention to go to grad school), is the prestige of MSU honors college worth the extra money? The chem program at NMU is decent, but can't really compare to the large program at MSU, especially the combined opportunities of Briggs and HC. Any thoughts regarding either school would be much appreciated!</p>

<p>5000+1/2 tuition… how much are you going to be paying OOP? Are you going to be taking any loans or can your parents cover it? </p>

<p>Normally, I’d say go with the full ride but in this case it doesn’t seem like that much extra to pay the tuition. The PA is a great opportunity and LB is a great program. </p>

<p>Another thing to consider- have you ever been to Northern? I have several friends that went there after living downstate their whole lives and just could not take it- the cold, the snow, the isolation, etc. It’s quite a hike and a completely different part of the state (in many ways). Something to consider. </p>

<p>Best of luck :)</p>

<p>I would be on the hook for about $2000 in tuition for the first couple years. May be more as the 1/2 tuition only covers 120 credits. Also, I would have to pay my own room and board. </p>

<p>I have visited NMU a couple times and I like the campus. The area around Marquette is similar to the one I grew up in so it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the city isn’t as busy as East Lansing. </p>

<p>Just wondering if it would be better to save for grad school and take the free college for my undergrad.</p>

<p>So are your parents not contributing anything? (Not judging, just looking for clarification). </p>

<p>Yes, it’s great to take the money and bank it for grad school however you don’t know if you’ll want to (or need to) go to grad school in four years. Many STEM grad programs are funded so there’s that. </p>

<p>If you move off campus after freshman year, R&B can be very, very reasonable. I covered all my own living costs plus managed to save up quite a bit (although I worked full time… you could work part time and full time in the summer and easily cover rent & food).</p>

<p>You may need to find both from Northern Michigan & MSU Chemistry department where their undergraduates have been admitted, and their graduate school admission success rate. Also cross check with the admitting graduate chemistry departments about students from each of the schools. It might provide you more clues to help you weigh the cost/benefit at each school.</p>