<p>w.e., camper, the fact that ur parents make that kind of money and u feel bad makes you look like a fool. One thing if u can't afford emory, but not going b/c you are proving a pt to your parents or u wanna feel good about yourself will be something you regret down the road. </p>
<p>What I have noticed, grads of elite schools always have like this proud nastalgia that always lasts. They may be elitists, but having a degree from an ivy or a top school is something you can always cherish. It is not something you should ever give up unless u have to.</p>
<p>apologies for the controversy that has erupted. finances and all aside, my reason for not choosing emory is mainly my need for a strong christian environment(required chapel, profs pray before class, lots of ministry opportunities) as I myself am called to Christian vocational ministry. Many in my life have told me to use my academic strengths for more worldly pursuits, but in my case that will not be an option. Basically, emory isnt the right place for me. For many of similar academic standing to me and better, its perfect, and more power to them with the opportunites that will certainly unfold from an education from emory's talented faculty. However, for me, I think I'm more suited to a small Christian school filled with kids in a unified pursuit, gaining more understanding and appreciation for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior</p>
<p>wheaton, although, a great school, is a little too far from home. another criteria i set for myself was proximity to my family, be it they ever need me. my entire family(aside from one uncle) lives in two bordering communities in the dfw area. while it would be incredible to attend school in the hallowed halls where Christian luminaries like Billy Graham studied, I'd kinda like to be within driving distance of Dallas. Catholic schools like Boston College might be a little akward to me as I am practicing Baptist(not Southern Baptist).</p>
<p>Bobbobbob....I don't get why you keep suggesting that Camper apply/go someplace else. Even if YOU would not have picked Ouachtia Baptist U, camper89 obviously has his/her reasons to do so. She/he obviously doens't want to pay tuition at a school when offered a free ride but also because the school with the free ride seems to correlate with his/her interests and eventual career/grad school goals. Not every kid weighs in on which school is more prestigious when there is a school that just really fits what they want and is free no less. Not everyone has the same criteria. This student only seems to be questioning his/her choice, not because she/he doesn't want to go there but because of what others may say that Emory was a more selective or prestigious school as if he/she has to "justify" his/her reasons for her/his choice. This poster has specific college criteria as all students should in choosing a college. I know my own kids' ordering of their college list was not based on ranking but based on favorite to least favorite which did not correlate with ranking status. It is more important to pick the school that matches the list of criteria. This student seems to know what he/she wants and is willing to pay for. So, even if you don't share such reasoning, respect that others do. </p>
<p>Camper, go with YOUR preference and you don't have to explain it to others. All your posts sound as if you know you want ot go to Ouachtia but feel like you have to reconcile that you got into a more selective school and would be turning it down. Go where you want!</p>
<p>the faculty at ouachita is great. all are full doctorates except for one whos getting his in a few months. they even write some of the most well known theological and greek textbooks used in university classrooms nationwide. even the governor of the state,mike huckabee(who chaired the National Governor's Association), will be coming back to his alma mater to come teach classes even during his planned presidential campaign.</p>
<p>Camper89 - Congrats on Ouachita! From your posts, your reasoning to attend a college closer by DFW to be available for your family sounds great; your willingness to take the college expense burden from your parents is wonderful; and your visit to test the waters at Ouachita went superbly. Sounds like Ouachita is a winner and "fit" for you. Your parents must be proud of the young man you've grown up to be.</p>