<p>I was accepted to both Ohio State and George Washington University, and I plan on continuing studying Chinese and possibly Int'l Affairs. However, I would also want to do business in the future, probably more so than IA. Sorry if this seems confusing, but I just don't know where to go or what to do. Also, I was rejected from my top choice and I just can't see myself going to either of these schools for all four years, so I might transfer after a year or two. It would cost me (after grants/scholarships) $15k/year to go to OSU and around $21k/year to go to GWU. Since it's cheaper and I'll probably transfer anyway, doesn't it make sense to go to OSU? It also has campus life and is a part of a great college town which is a huge plus, especially being in Columbus which has great business opportunities as well. On the other hand, GWU doesn't really have any type of campus besides the Vern and school spirit is literally 0. But then again, GWU has more of a prestige factor and its location is unbeatable, especially for IA (if that's what I decide what I want to do.) I love DC and I also like the idea of having metro access to the suburbs and Northern VA. I was kind of thinking I could attend one of the schools for a year or two and then transfer to a school with equally good language programs and better undergrad business, like UMich or UVA? Another problem is obviously the possibility I end up not transferring, in which case I would end up at one of these schools for all 4 years. I feel very overwhelmed because I have to choose within the next five days.</p>
<p>Transferring may not be as easy as you believe it to be. Transfer admission to elite schools is competitive.</p>
<p>That’s exactly why I’m overwhelmed. If I end up at one of the schools for all 4 years, which will more than likely happen, I want to make sure I’ll be happy.</p>
<p>The happiness depends upon you, not the school. You are the only constant and the only element capable of determining your happiness. If you go to OSU and are determined to be happy you will be. Get involved right away with the people on your floor; arrange a group visit to an all-you-can-eat. Join a bunch of clubs and try to figure out which ones have the happiest people in them. Get involved with a volunteer activity. Oh, and go to your classes, meet your professors, and study with a group of people who don’t necessarily have the same classes as you do. You’ll like and possibly love OSU or GWU if you do these things. Put yourself out. I have no horse in this race.</p>
<p>Where would the money come from? Do you have 15k or 21K? Is that tuition +R&B after scholarships/grants have been subtracted, or is that after scholarships/grants, federal loans, and work study?</p>
<p>Don’t think you’ll transfer. If only because transfers don’t get financial aid beside the federal loans and some scholarship leftovers after the freshmen have been served.</p>
<p>Please answer the question above before further cost/benefit analysis can be done.</p>
<p>My dad did the math and yes, these numbers were including work-study/grants/federal loans so it will cost more. After doing the math my dad said the total loan difference for all four years would be almost $30k. So basically it will cost substantially more to go to GWU.</p>
<p>So the difference would be paid for in loans, 30k <em>in addition to</em> the 27k from federal loans?
*Note: there’s only 6k difference between OSu and GWU, so X4 = 24K… where do the extra 6k come from?
Although GWU is one of the best schools in the country for international affairs, 57k in loans isn’t doable. It’s not worth it. See if OSU has a “semester in Washington” agreement. Decide that you’ll get the grades to get into the Honors College. Plan to get to know your professors by attending office hours right from the first week, with questions (during the lecture or the readings, anything that seems vaguely unclear, mark with an asterix. Then go to office hours and ask “I was a little unclear about…” If nothing was unclear, as for more details about an aspect you found especially interesting.)
One big issue with transferring is that in most cases you’ll only get federal loans and, if you’re lucky and only at some schools (NOT Michigan for sure, UVA dubious) some grants that are leftover from freshmen. In short, even if you’re admitted somewhere else, you may not be able to transfer because it’ll be too costly. </p>
<p>Agree with every point MYOS made. </p>
<p>Other options to enhance an International Affairs major at Ohio State: Your federally elected senators and representatives usually offer unpaid internships both in DC and in your home state. A study abroad to London to do economics and foreign affairs would be another option. </p>
<p>Hi guys- sorry for not updating! I chose to go to Ohio State. It has a much better campus, access to Fortune 500 companies in Columbus, great language programs, and is much less expensive. They’re also much more generous with AP credit. As much as I liked GW, their tuition is one of the highest in the nation in order to evoke a sense of prestige which to me is rather misleading and ridiculous when academically they are average (in areas outside of Political Science and IR). Ohio State is just as good academically and I’m sure I’ll love it. It wasn’t what I originally wanted (I got rejected from Umich) but it’s a darn good school and I’m blessed to have been accepted! </p>
<p>I am sure you can be happy at OSU, OP, and I hope you are. It’s a good choice. Congratulations and thanks for updating us.</p>
<p>Thank you for updating your thread. It’s always useful for students (and parents). :)</p>