please help me decide on a college!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I'm undecided on a major, but I'm thinking about psychology, sociology, or business. Here are my options:</p>

<p>UMD (in state)
UMBC (in state)
Umiami: $30,000 presidential scholarship
Udel: little financial aid
Penn State: little financial aid
Howard : full scholarship
Udayton: $12,500 scholarship
Temple
Virginia Wesleyan.</p>

<p>I'm leaning towards UMD or Umiami. I've always wanted to go to a prestigious school, but I've been rejected by the Ivies and other top schools, I was waitlisted for William and Mary though. I would like some sort of intellectual culture, but not totally nerdy. What schools have the best reputation?</p>

2

<p>Are all schools affordable for your family?</p>

3

<p>@TwoTravelin</p>

<p>They keep on telling me not to worry about it, but I dont want to make them pay a lot.</p>

4

<p>bump?</p>

5

<p>You did not lay it out so that the net costs are apparent. I guess you applied to Howard for a reason, but seems the offer doesn’t tempt you?</p>

6

<p>@brownparent it was more of a safety, i cant see myself at an HBCU, and i want somewhere with a better rep.</p>

7

<p>OK then you have identified your best choices, I agree.</p>

8

<p>it matters not what merit or grants you have if you don’t tell us the cost-to-you, including loans. It is only from that that we can know the role finances should play in your choice. </p>

9

<p>@jkeil911 well, caan wee focus on academic reputation?</p>

10

<p>academic reputation won’t get you out of debt,
UMD and UMiami are both strong schools indeed, but we need net costs to make a cost/benefit analysis for you.</p>

11

<p>@myos1634 my family is better off, we are upper middle class.</p>

12

<p>Nice choice: UMD , great prestige, AND in state tuiton? Thats a deal, good academics. Little to no debt? Close to family n old friends. Home state comfort. </p>

<p>Downside: I hear its a little geeky out there, not a “typical college experience”. Weak social scene compared to UM, Penn State.
You’ll also be in your same state you’ve been in for years, so it won’t feel adventurous. If you don’t like being around family that’ll suck.</p>

<p>Naughty choice: UMiami, you’ll have hella fun, gooood weather, hot chicks/guys, oh, and you get that “typical college experience” down there in Miami for sure, beaches n **** it’ll be a blast tbh. Penn state would MAYBE be a consideration, def can have fun and stuff, but it doesn’t beat Miami imo. So it looks kinda weak IMO (don’t chew me out anyone). But defintely more “fun” than UMD.</p>

<p>Downside: DEBT, not as academically prestigious as UMD, your ROI isn’t as good as in state UMD and you’re away from family if that matters. Did I mention Debt?</p>

<p>You’re in the same spot as me, I’m choosing between in state/scholarship GA Tech, or somewhere more “fun” and social OOS, so I know the feel, just think about the balance between career preparation and a good college experience. Or you could lean only on one side, go full nice, or full naughty… Its your fate. Good luck. </p>

13

<p>@rundy3 i think you’re mistaken, UMD is known as a "party’ school</p>

14

<p>bump</p>

15

<p>bumpp</p>

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<p>Umiami (in ohio or florida?) in florida is much smaller than maryland and is a great school. go for it if you want to try something new.</p>

17

<p>Would you be in an honors program at Maryland?</p>

18

<p>@Hunt no, i was admitted for spring 2015, so id be doing freshman connection.</p>

19

<p>@naviance florida</p>

20

<p>What do you have to do to keep that scholarship at UMiami? I.e., what GPA do you need to maintain? This can be a big problem for some kids, especially if they go into the sciences.</p>