Need Help Deciding where to go!

Applying to College
1

<p>Okay guys so I am trying, like everyone else, to figure out where to go. I was hoping that prioritizing here on the message board with everyone could help me kink a few things out. Besides, you guys know a lot about the weight of graduating from certain universities over others. ^_^</p>

<p>Here are my options and dilemmas:</p>

<p>Brandeis: Accepted for Spring 2008 semester. Great university, reputation, town, etc. If I went, I would be a walk-on Division I fencer. But it's like freakin' 40K, and its not Fall 2007, so I've pretty much decided I won't be going. :-(</p>

<p>Rhodes College: Accepted as a resident member for Fall 2007. Pretty neat place. Small, tight-nit, pretty, liberal arts. Pretty decent acceptance rate to med schools. Good study abroad program (esp. to Oxford) have a friend who went there and is going to grad school at McGill. They are very personal, and actually one of the reviewers of my application sent me a postcard, hand-written, telling me how he enjoyed one of my essays about a leadership program I was involved in called YLX. It is in Memphis, Tennessee, and I live in Oklahoma City though. And like Brandeis, a fair chunk of change. It sounds awesome, but I don't think I can afford it. Some 30-35K with room and board I believe.</p>

<p>University of Oklahoma: Free for me. Everything. Good med school. Most of my friends are going here, my girlfriend of 4 years included. That seems to be my main dilemma, she is pretty sure that if I leave, we won't work out. I don't want to believe it, but I've seen it so many times, she's probably right. We are so close we're practically married However, I still have stood firm to the idea that I didn't work my butt off to go to a school that, statistically speaking, I could have been accepted to sophomore year. (lol, not really, but for the most part, ACT wise, etc.)</p>

<p>University of Texas at Austin: Awesome school. Nice campus, pretty renowned public institution, good med stuff, challenging, tons to do. My dad moved down to San Antonio, so he'd only be 3 hours away, my mom and brother 5 hours. I like the surrounding environment a lot, music, events. It's kind of expensive out of state, but I think I could handle it. Have yet to send my stuff to tell me about my financial aid. I'm thinking this is my best choice for a happy medium in all aspects, which was why I applied in the first place.</p>

<p>But OU is still free. I don't know what to do. A degree from UT-Austin is more universal than that of one from OU, but is it worth the money and sacrifice? I'm sorry I haven't had time to do more research on my own, but I was hoping you guys could provide some great input.</p>

<p>Also, UT has a fencing Club, OU's is still in the works. And UT-Austin also has an awesome study abroad program. I want to study abroad in Japan, and take Japanese. I am also a film aficionado, so if I decide that is what I want to do, UT has great film opportunities as well.</p>

<p>There is nothing to do in Oklahoma. lol.</p>

2

<p>bump ......</p>

3

<p>bump again........</p>

<p>I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!</p>

4

<p>Have you planned your major? Which school has the best program in the areas you are most interested? In which part of the country would you like to live? Have you ever lived in the northeast? Texas and Oklahoma are both fine schools. Will your major lead to a job which would enable you to pay off any loans from attending Texas? Think about all the elements of your decision, now and later. Good luck!</p>

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<p>If your father lives in San Antonio, can you establish in-state residency through him?</p>

6

<p>If you can afford UT, that sounds good, only because your attitude towards
UO may make for a less than stellar experience. But if money is an issue, go UO--film and living abroad can come later; make your choice based on pre-med--I think the semester abroad is great (maybe overrated) but if you really want it you can do it in the summer on your own with all the money you save going to UO. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Oh thank you for your input!</p>

<p>Yeah my major its pre-med, so that makes OU a good choice, however, I'm not entirely sure that is what I'll want to do. What if I change my mind? OU doesn't leave me as many options in that respect.</p>

<p>My dad just started living in San Antonio, I'm very glad you brought that up, I had been discussing it with some college friends of mine. I need to have a long talk with him about his future there, but if he DOES stay there for a significant while longer, I CAN get residency there next year; making me have in-state tuition.</p>

<p>And you're very right marie3, which makes it so hard...I would save a lot of money. Tuition books, fees all paid. Room and board would be all we had to pay for. Tempting...</p>

<p>No I haven't lived in the Northeast, but I just had a lengthy discussion with my friends from Rhodes, she told me some awesome stuff, but its pretty far and costs a BIT too much and I don't have any scholarships there....Because of those reasons, despite Brandeis and Rhodes' awesomeness, I've pretty much realistically ruled them out.</p>

<p>However, I scheduled a campus visit to OU for this Thursday, and UT-Austin this Friday. I am going down to San Antonio to get my W-2's and stuff from my dad to fill out my fin. aid crap, student dependency worksheets, etc., so I'm taking off school for the visit on Friday.</p>

<p>I'm hoping this and my family talks will influence my final decision...</p>

<p>But my relationship with my girlfriend is strong, seriously, I'm not being one of those snooty people who rant about love, and I am well AWARE of the unpredictability, and instability of the subjectivity involved with it all, but we really do have an incredible relationship. Believe me, I understand that marriage, love and all that can come later; but she doesn't. She thinks that if I leave, we don't have much of a chance. But this is what I set out to do, I wanted to explore the extents of my worldliness and get out of Oklahoma. However, it's free, they have good pre-med. / programs, and she'll be there.</p>

<p>I have no idea what to do. She is the most amazing person I know, and we literally are practically inseparable; I'm not crying wolf. Four years....I think we could do it, but long distance stuff is NEVER a good idea...</p>

<p>But most people I ask tell me I'll have one hell of a great college experience at UT....</p>