The title basically explains it.
I got into my top school Northeastern. I love everything about it except the price. I got no honors/merit money and although my aid package has yet to arrive, I know my EFC and its ridiculously high.
I applied to NJIT as a safety and got their top merit scholarship, which is basically a full ride.
I feel that it would be dumb to pass up a debt-free education, and everyone says that taking the cheap option is one of the best decisions they’ve every made. On the other hand, I can’t bear the thought of withdrawing from Northeastern after all the work I’ve put into getting into the school. It’s like, my school, I’m supposed to be there, I can’t find another way to explain it.
I feel like I’m damned it I do and damned if I don’t.
I know that I’m the only person who can make this decision but I would like to hear some suggestions.
Did you chose you’re dream school over the more financial feasible option or vice versa? Do you or do you not regret the choice? Can anyone speak specifically for either of the schools in terms of the strength of their computer science program (my major?)
What is your EFC and could you actually afford to pay it? The popular opinion would be to take the money and pass on Northeastern.
How much debt would you have? Northeastern doesn’t meet full need, so don’t expect them to cover your full need.
I would actually advise you to attend Northeastern. NJIT is good for CompSci, but Northeastern is in a different world in comparison. Plus, they couldn’t be more different in terms of social life. I think you’d definitely enjoy it more at Northeastern. And as a New Jerseyan, I think you should definitely get out of the state and explore.
@mspaint - This is a hugely difficult decision. You’re not alone in facing this: for many kids, getting into their reach school is great news, but your reach may not be the one that gives you any financial support. Why don’t you look into some other options the might offer a compromise between the two - something that might be more generous with aid, but is more enticing to you than NJIT? If you like city schools, you might consider Pitt, or perhaps BU. What about Drexel or Loyola Chicago? There are far more options than the two you have and you might feel less like you are in a bind if you expand your options. Good luck.
How much would northeastern cost in comparison to NJIT? Also, if you go with northeastern, let us know your plan to get loans, so that we can help you in selecting the best path for which loans etc.
Also congrats on both acceptances!
I think it totally depends on the debt. If you would have to go into less than $50-60K of debt for Northeastern, then I’d go there. Anything more than that I think becomes a burden that makes it less of a clear choice.
Around February I got my aid package from NU. @Jpgranier they actually met almost full demonstrated need, my EFC is around 20K. However that still isnt feasible for my family financially, especially with an upcoming eye surgery and both of my parents’ jobs on usteady foundations. NJIT tuition is about 16K and they gave me 15K, I’m close enough to communte and if I did I wouldnt have to take a single loan, however I do plan to stay at least the first yeat since the honors school has bangin dorms. @juillet Over 4 years, NU would be 80k, I would have to go at least 40k into debt, most likely more into the 60k range. NJIT, assuming I board all 4 years (which I wont) would be 24k total, and I doubt I would go more than a couple thousand into debt which can probably be paid off completely in 10 years, maybe less, wheres Northeastern… haha I don’t even want to think about it. Oh, and i considered contacting the school for more money, but I don’t think they would be willing to go as far as an extra 10k a year. If it was closer to 5k they I totally would.
I have yet to commit but I’m probably going to chose NJIT, unless by some miracle I get into columbia, then I’ll really fight for the money. I think I’ll get over NU. College is what you make of it i guess.
@LBad96 I totally agree, and I hate hate hate to pass up the boston experience, but I’m not sure if the expeirence is really worth the years of debt I’ll have to face. I totally plan to leave NJ the second I graduate. I’d love to get a job up in Boston or New York and make up for it then. I’m not a huge party person anyway. Plus the city is right there and I can always hop on nj transit and explore the city.
@suburbancat at the time those were my only two acceptances, the only school I’m waiting on that I would love to go to is Columbia and realistically I’m probably not going to be accepted. The other schools gave my similarly dissapointing aid packages. In fact in terms of the private schools I applied to, NU gave me a larger percentage then the others since they nearly met my full need. I even looked into a few that you mentioned and they didnt really fit.
@kobeman2000 thank you for offering to help direct me in terms of loans and such, for NJIT i’ll probably get one of the loans that you pay after graduation.
did u make a decision???
I think that amount of debt is too high for Northeastern. It’s a fine school but not so amazing as it likes to make itself out to be, IMHO. $20-$26K debt? Fine. There’s a lot of hype there. Do yourself a favor and do not take on a lot of debt.
Your other schools can get you just as far in life IMHO
Columbia is two weeks from now.
Fingers crossed for OP.