My prospective major is Computer Engineering.I have been admitted to Honors College in both the Colleges.
Right now COA of both the colleges is same but I wanted to know which of the both will increase my merit aid based on my April ACT exam if it increases.
Here is my Resume https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B58211sfosJRS2JOZW00a3FzT2s/view?usp=drive_web
Thanks.
Which MSU are we referring to?
@LBad96 Michigan State University
Then Michigan State should be your choice. Better school than UMass and more fun as well
Are there any additional financial options for sophomores at MSU that you are aware of. I am looking for a good college but financial considerations are my top priority.
And can you explain why the summer living expenses area around 16,000$ at MSU? Other colleges that I saw have it around 3000-4000$.
Thanks.
If you don’t plan on living there over the summer summer wouldn’t matter; to answer your question, msu counts summer costs as if you were taking classes, others only room/boardnif you’re doing research or working on campus.
As for increasing merit aid, odds are low, but you should ask the colleges directly.
As I am admitted to Honors College I was thinking of getting a Research Assistance position in my sophomore year. Even if I get credits, it will be beneficial right, my tuition would get decreased as I would need to take less classes.
I’m not sure being a research assistant decreases the number of credits you take and in any case you need to take 15 credits of classes per semester in order to graduate.
@MYOS1634 Then what do Research Assistants get apart from experience and knowledge.
@LBad96 What are the grounds on which you support MSU as a better college. I mean can you list out a few points.
Because currently UMass is at least 2,000 cheaper for me. Is MSU worth the diffrence.
Thanks.
$2000 is barely anything. MSU is ranked higher than UMass on sites such as Forbes, although they’re tied on USNWR. And despite the fact that MSU is much larger, they have a higher 6-year grad rate.
Both are good. Look at their environment, ease of access from your city, requirements for the major…
@LBad96 Yeah MSU is ranked higher in pretty much all the ranking systems.
@MYOS1634 I don’t understand when you say to look at the environment. I mean what am I looking for. 
Also, I am an international student so ease of access from my city is not a concern for me. And do I differentiate between requirements for major? I read somewhere that Enrolling into Honors Program exempts you from taking the required classes and that you are automatically admitted to your major. Is that right?
Thanks.
It depends on the university wrt gen eds so you’d have to check for each.
In any case you do have to complete your major’s requirements and each university decides what those are - look for your major in the catalog (online) and compare mandatory classes, sequences, electives…
Access : can one fly from your city to the college ? Is there a nearby airport ? Does the University provide a shuttle ?
Environment : what’s the neighborhood like ? The town ? Are there good restaurants ? Cinemas, theaters laser tag arenas ? Can you find foods 'like Home '? Can you easily travel and visit other cities during breaks ? So they have hist families for international students ? Is the town welcoming to internationals from your region of the world or your religion ? Are there places of worship if you are religious ?
I finally decide to go to MSU… Thanks Everyone for your time… Go Spartans…
Can you explain your thought process ?
Excellent decision. Congratulations!
@MYOS1634 MSU actually increased my aid by 3,000$ and I read closely one of the awards letters and it said that this award will help me( read guarantee) an on-campus job.
Also, the revised tuition for the year 2016-2017 is 51,000$ and not 54,000$ so my final COA came around 25,000$ (with 6,000$ from on-campus job. This is average amount given to me by the university.)
So I chose MSU.
@LBad96 Thanks. Are you a MSU student too?
Nope. I did consider applying there for a bit, though.
Sounds like a great deal - an excellent university for affordable costs! 