Hello all, I am a high school junior wondering about the benefits and disadvantages of choosing the University of Oklahoma’s National Merit Scholarship (I will be a NMSF at least) over a program such as the University of Texas Plan II Honors or Liberal Arts Honors programs or a top school like the University of Southern California.
Major: Either economics or political science, law school hopeful
Any advise or experience is welcome.
I am worried that I will miss out on great chances no matter what choice I make.
Are you from Texas? Can you really stomach the thought of going to OU?
Read up on all these options and talk to as many folks that are familiar with them. If you get into Plan II it would be a hard option to beat. It’s different from most honors programs in that it’s an actual major that you typically combine with another major, which sounds perfect for what you mentioned above. A lot of flexibility, and a great program.
One other comment on UT … If you don’t go to a HS that ranks or you’re not auto-admit UT might be a reach, no matter how competitive you are. Because so many get in as top 7% TX residents, anyone not in that pool may as well be applying to an ivy in terms of selectivity - and that includes pretty much all OOS folks.
@lz57c4 yes I am from texas and I am in the top 2% of my class and my stats are fairly competitive… Plan II is hard to get into but I think I have a chance. Just the thought of all the money I could save by going to OU is incredible… but then the student life at UT seems so much more lively and either honors program at UT would be a great opportunity for graduate school. I guess its a good problem to have.
Thanks.
have you visited OU? We were blown away on our campus visit by the school. It sure looked like a lively place to attend college to me. Granted Norman is not Austin, but a little known secret is that when you’re an undergrad, the town you live in is not all that important. A significant percentage of our time will be spent on campus or studying.
That being said - if you get Plan II, I’m not sure you could turn that down, unless the $ is just so much different.
How much does cost play into your decision for you and your family?
UT will give you nothing for NMF. Barring eligibility for the Texas Advance fund (competitive need based merit at UT for families with income < $60,00), you will not likely get any scholarship money from UT. Total costs $27-29,000 per year. If your family has it set aside and can pay it easily with minimal loans and you have law school covered, then go for it. It will be a great experience in a highly regarded program.
OU will be a deal that is hard to pass up IF finances and cost play into your decision. If you know graduate or further schooling is in your future, and cost is a consideration, save your $$ for that. You should make that visit to OU and see what all they offer and see all that is offered there before you turn it down.
You should keep USC on your list if you are interested, recognizing fully that it’s a reach both for admissions and for costs.
OP—you should not discount your possible position for competitive merit at several other schools. Vanderbilt, Case Western, Tulane, Rice, Northeastern (Boston) --if you are in “in it to win it” (will start your apps early in August, apply to Honors programs, write those essays, show some interest, etc. you might be surprised at other opportunities that may come up.
You could come up empty handed. It’s a competitive field out there for sure and you should have some solid safeties. BUT…you may walk away with some $$ at a school where you really want to be.
I’d also look at Alabama because the NMF scholarship is for 5 years. You can use the additional year for grad or law school, maybe 2 or 3 if you are a typical NMF with a bazillion AP credits. The NMF scholarship at USC would make the tuition in the same range as UT.
If finances aren’t a major concern, I think Austin or LA would be worth it. Everyone I know who’s gone to UT talks about how much they loved Austin (except for I-35). And the cheapest way to live in Cali is to convince your parents to send you to college there.
We are local to UT Austin and my D is a NMF attending OU. She loves it and is thriving! She is participating in research in her major as a freshman and has been offered a paid internship this summer in Germany. She’s involved in many clubs and activities and is having a blast. The are just so many opportunities at OU. Their five year option will also allow her to double major which is her current plan.
@carachel2 I would be able to get through UT debt free but then have nothing saved for law school. Thanks, I think I’ll try to set up a visit to OU and I’ll make sure to look at my options around the US as well.
@PurpleTitan DS18 will likely be going to UT Dallas over UT Austin (only likely instead of certainly because of new Girl Friend - crossing fingers she gets into her other to choices so we can avoid this drama!)
edit to add even though the are the same age GF is high school class of 2017 and DH is high school class of 2018 because she skipped a grade. We are local to UT and don’t want her to pick UT to stay close to DS and if she ends up at UT we don’t want DS to feel he has to stay local to be near her.
2nd edit I don’t want it to sound I am against their relationship. I really like her and will happily start planning a wedding if they make it through college and are still together!