So - I’m a NJ H.S. senior. An only child, we would not qualify for financial aid and did not apply. But we are not rich.
I may go to grad school but am undecided. I like biology and languages, and would like to have the opportunity to pick up a third foreign language.
Here are the final choices, in no particular order: (1) University of Michigan liberal arts (full out of state tuition); (2) University of Miami ($104k 4-yr scholarship, 3.0 GPA requirement); (3) Oberlin ($60k 4-yr merit scholarship, no GPA requirement, plus would be on a varsity team); (4) College of the Holy Cross (MA), no scholarship; (5) Washington and Lee (VA), no scholarship; (6) Bucknell (no scholarship); (7) Dickinson (60k scholarship).
It looks like CHC and Washington and Lee are the most expensive of the group for me and Michigan would be about a $30k 4-year discount over CHC.
I also got wait-listed at Bowdoin and it would be in the running.
There are aspects of all of them that I really like, and some that I don’t. W&L is probably the most selective, but it is really small. Michigan is probably the best known, but it is big. I have a great balance of sport and academics at Oberlin, but I fear it might be too isolated. CHC, Bucknell, Michigan are Div. 1 and I wouldn’t be able to play varsity (would play club); Miami doesn’t even have my varsity sport (it is only club). Michigan has a great college town, but Dickinson, Bucknell, W&L, and CHC, maybe Oberlin, have gorgeous campuses and terrific facilities.
With deposit due on Friday May 1, where should I go? All insights appreciated!
Wow, you have some hard choices to make in the next two days. Best of luck! It seems the best schools are the ones with no money, too bad. My S was accepted to Bucknell and W&L (varsity recruit) as well, but opted for Lehigh Integrated Business and Engineering honors program. He just wasn’t feeling it at Bucknell (although I loved it), and W&L was a close second to Lehigh. I loved W&L too, and he could have played varsity there, but it was rather small and remote. However, everyone I have ever heard of who went there loved it. I think I can say the same about Bucknell. S will play club at Lehigh, which is very competitive but no pressure (and a lot of fun). Depends what type of commitment level you want, since varsity will eat up a lot of time. I’m not that informed about your other choices, but I will say you probably should consider cost into the equation unless money is no object to your family. Good luck with your decision!
That is tough. Your out if pocket costs look like they vary tremendously? What do your parents think?
What sport? Varsity sports can really eat up time but club can be fun and a good stress reliever.
Thanks Yocco1; I have a number of friends who will be going to Lehigh and I am sure it will be a terrific choice. I still haven’t decided but I may choose crew as a new sport at one of the D-1s. Apparently you can just walk on.
@surfcity, yes, my parents have vastly different opinions about the whole matter so I’m trying to just get a feel for what others may think.
@WhereAmIToGo So what did you decide?
Tough decision but I opted for Holy Cross even though full pay. I think I’ll be well-focused there and most likely will be successful. No frats and a rigorous positive pro-education tradition of Jesuit traditiion. The social scenes at W&L, Michigan, Bucknell and others beckoned, but it might be too much for me. Oberlin was just a bit too out there. The kids at HC seemed very down to earth and friendly. One parent not happy, but oh well.
Excellent school - best of luck to you.