Hey, the May 1st college commitment deadline is coming up and I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I’ve eliminated my top choice schools to Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. I plan on studying something in the business field, likely Finance and I live in GA. My biggest question is cost vs. environment/education.
Please take a look at the list I made of pros and cons for myself.
NOTRE DAME
Pros:
-AMAZING business school, most well known for Finance
-great alumni!!!
-near Chicago and other Northern cities, so lots of internship opportunities
-London study abroad program that I would really, really love to do
-dorms and roommates are randomly assigned, people in the same dorm develop close bonds, much smaller classes and student body (I’m introverted, so this may help me make friends and feel more comfortable)
-gorgeous campus
-new state, different weather, totally new people: might help me develop independence quicker
-meets full financial need in case my parents’ income drops or they lose their jobs
Cons:
-EXPENSIVE!!! My family is fortunate enough to have earned around 200k last year, however that means I get 0 financial aid and still need to take out loans. Plus, my dad just quit his job and took out a HUGE loan to start a business, so we’re already in debt and our finances will be pretty unpredictable for a while.
-cold weather, far from home
-no co-ops
Georgia Tech
Pros:
-in state tuition and Hope/Zell Miller Scholarships makes it wayyyy cheaper: I’d be able to graduate debt-free and spend extra money on a study abroad or something
-offers co-ops, which I’d like to consider doing
-better weather in Georgia
-business school is decent and I can take technology-related classes to supplement my business major: might make me more desirable to employers?
Cons:
-sooo tech focused, might feel overshadowed, my business degree from there may not be as valued
-I applied with a major I definitely want to change…and I can’t change majors until 2nd semester of freshman year. So I won’t be able to start doing what I want until then.
-I may consider doing a business major and pre-dental too…Tech does not have any pre-med or pre-dental pathways or advising
So basically is it worth it to spend so much extra money to go to business-focused Notre Dame, or go to Georgia Tech where it’s much cheaper but business is not it’s strong suit?
If I look at my “heart” and where I think I’d feel more comfortable, I’d say Notre Dame. I visited and I really loved it…from the way they teach to the campus and the school spirit. However, I’ve always been a practical person and the thought of being in a lot of debt after college really scares me.