<p>Basically, I am a New Yorker who can go to Cornell with the state-subsidized tuition. My parents can pay fully for Cornell for me, everything with room and board and tuition. However, my other school that I would like to go to is Northwestern or Johns Hopkins (probably not but idk yet), and they both cost with room and board and tuition 45,000. Therefore, I would have to take out 15,000 in loans per year, with a debt accumulating of 60,000. My parents said they may be able to pay that back later in life, when my dad retires or so but that is not a guarantee. My parents are pretty well-off, however, I have other siblings and my dad needs to provide for them as well. Since his income is pretty enormous, I did not qualify for any financial aid. However, since his stocks and investments were some-what killed by the crappy stock market, he can only provide the 30,000 Gs per year for each child. I plan on going to medical or law school in the future. In need of advice..... Is the 60,000 worth going to Northwestern over Cornell??????????? Thanks</p>
<p>That's a lot like my dilemma. I was offered a full ride to the only prestigious academic program at IU (the Kelley business school) but ultimately decided that it was worth taking out some students loans to attend Columbia. I have two younger siblings coming behind me and so my parents cannot pay for top schools for all three of us without each kid chipping in a bit. We only get one chance at an unforgettable undergrad experience, and if you're going to be a doctor or a lawyer the money that seems like a lot now won't be much in the future. If you were looking at becoming, say, a teacher (great profession, just don't make the kind of money you would as a doctor or lawyer), I might advise you differently, but you don't want to give up the undergrad experience that would be perfect for you just because of a few thousand dollars that will seem paltry downthe road.</p>
<p>Do you think NW is better, or do you want to be out of state? If you're a musician, I'd say go to Northwestern, and if you like to be near cities, I'd say go to Northwestern. Otherwise, I don't see any reason to pay more unless you actually like Northwestern better. I can't really help you decide since you never said if or why you like NW better.</p>
<p>Actually, academically, Cornell is probably stronger, I assume right....? However, I want to do pre-med and I thought I would have a slightly easier time doing well at NW than Cornell b/c Cornell is sooo rigorous.</p>
<p>I don't know, I thought it was like GPAs and scores now. If you have a 3.5 in high school but get an 800 on the writing SAT II, a 1530, and get plenty of other good scores and attend a rigorous school, you'll do well in admissions, right? Say you get a bit lower GPA at Cornell. . . couldn't you still do well on the MCAT, maybe better? You do want to prepare yourself as much as you can.</p>
<p>That aside, I think the schools are comparable academically, though Cornell does have a rep for being difficult. The most important thing is to go to a place you like and to not feel guilty about it. If your parents have to spend more to send you to NW if you actually like it better, then think about it. If you like Cornell better, then seriously go there. If you have a preference between the schools, all fears aside, making a decision will be easier, and your decision will make more sense.</p>
<p>60k is a lot of money. i wouldn't take the chance, esp if there are other kids to take care of/pay for... debt accumulates</p>
<p>i mean yeah there are other factors, but it's undergrad.. if you're planning on going to grad school i'd say that's more important. and cornellians have a pretty good rep</p>