Penn vs. Brown vs. FSU vs. Fordham

Paying for College
1

<p>I've been accepted in Penn, Barnard College, Brown, FSU and Fordham.
Neither Penn nor Barnard College nor Brown gave me financial aid, even after appealing. FSU will cost maybe 10K or 11K. Fordham gave me a full tuition scholarship so I would only be paying for room and board. </p>

<p>My parents said that I could go to Penn or Brown and they would be willing to take on the 100K debt for it. I'm grateful for their offer but I feel really guilty about it. Of course, I would help them pay off the debt, but I don't want my parents to potentially sacrifice their retirement for me. They say that it won't be an enormous burden that ruins their life or anything, but it still sounds like a lot. I feel like Penn or Brown is worth the money, but the idea of going to FSU or Fordham with less of a burden on my parents sounds like the more reasonable idea. </p>

<p>Also, I'm planning on working two jobs over the summer and I have been applying for scholarships without cease. </p>

<p>Is the debt on my parents worth it? Or should I just go to Fordham or FSU?</p>

<p>FYI: I want to major in International Relations and go to grad school. I'd be willing to work for a few years before grad school, though.</p>

2

<p>I am between FSU and Fordham, as well. It’s hard to not settle for a state school when you have Bright Futures…!</p>

3

<p>I find this an easy decision - get the best education at the least expense. The last thing a young person needs these days is to carry a load of debt for an undergraduate education. The parents assuming the debt is fine, unless it stresses their finances, then I would still get the best education at the least expense.</p>

<p>Believe me, in the work world it will be your ability to meet the basic requirements and then interview well. After that, it is all about performance and reliability.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>