<p>I already have my deposit in for BU College of Engineering done and then last week I find that I was accepted off the waitlist at CUNY Honors at City College. At BU I am offered $13k grant + ~2.5k fed loan. CUNY Honors is offering me free tuition, $7500 study grant + $5000 merit award (renewable yearly), plus a free laptop.</p>
<p>CUNY Honors has probably similar academics compared to BU but its name isn’t as established because it was recently created in 2001 (first graduating class - 2005). However, CUNY Honors does not have the real college experience as BU. I would probably go to BU if money wasn’t a problem, but it is, so free tuition and then some is a big deal compared to a total expense of $120k+ to be tackled. Financially the burden will be on me (student loans) and my parents (loans + savings).</p>
<p>This is an incredibly hard decision for me. Any help at all is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>atleast your parents are willing to take out loans to help pay for your college tuition, my mom(single parent) won't even think about taking loans to help me. When I told her i got into bu the fisrt thing she says is "how much financial aid did you get?" Anyways your deisoin would come down to how happy will you be attending both schools and would going to bu be worth the extra cost?</p>
<p>Thats a hard one since CUNY is offering you a great package. Is CUNY for Engineering too? Would there be a difference in your earning power/ability to find a good job? Since that would make a difference in how fast you'd be able to pay off your loans. Obviousy we are big fans here of BU but you'll really need to think about the overall cost as well as what kind of four yr college experience will make you happy.</p>
<p>Why don't you call BU Mon. and tell them your situation. Fax the offer from CUNY and tell them you really want to attend BU and ask if they can improve your BU package.</p>
<p>My son was accepted to CUNY Honors at City College last year-I thought it was a great deal..but his heart was set to go elsewhere and so he did not attend CUNY Honors.
Follow your heart.
Good luck to you.</p>