<p>So far, I have been accepted at 7 schools (no rejections) and am waiting for 3 more decisions...BUT I have received the greatest amount of money from SCU and American University (basically full-rides...).</p>
<p>Anyway, my dilemma is probably one of the most debated topics in history..so here goes:</p>
<p>I am looking to go to Law school or some sort of graduate program in the U.S. (i'm going to major in International Relations for my undergrad). That being said, I was wondering what would be more impressive to a graduate school: Being ranked in the top 5% at Santa Clara University or being ranked somewhere in the middle of the pack at an institution such as JHU or U of Chicago (maybe even in the lower 25% of the class).</p>
<p>My parents' income is estimated at around $65,000 a year. That being said, the financial aid/money factor comes into play for my family. My dad is suggesting that I go to SCU so we won't have to pay any, but my college counselors are telling me that I should seriously think about going to U of Chicago or JHU because of the appeal a degree from those types of prestigious colleges has.</p>
<p>So far I have gotten into:</p>
<p>SCU
AU
U of Rochester
USC
U of Chicago
JHU
BU</p>
<p>Where do YOU want to go? You are the one going to college for the next four years. You will get out of it what you put into it. It sounds like you have some fine choices. I personally don't think the "prestige" factor is all that different in each of these schools if you are planning to go to grad school. Pick your BIG NAME school for grad school (and save the money to pay for that).</p>
<p>All those schools are great. Go to a school YOU want to go to. Find a place you can see yourself for the next 4 years and be happy/sucessful. good luck!</p>
<p>I would highly recommend a school like the University of Chicago with student loans. With our current low interest rates and inflation you can expect a real interest rate of about .5-1%. Money should not be a problem with college at this time when dealing with colleges like University of Chicago. Your salary will be substantial and you should be able to pay off your loans rather quickly. (Again, in the future, you probably won't want to pay off your loans immediately just because you will be getting them for so darn cheap.)</p>
<p>I would speak to a financial advisor with your parents to inform them of the benefits of taking out a college loan while we are in this specific recession.</p>
<p>And remember, with law school the prestige factor is greater than usual. (It won't necessarily be very easy to pick a big name school for grad school if you don't have a big name school for undergrad school.)</p>
<p>That's just my 2 cents. In other words, I agree highly with your councilors. (Keep in mind that their profession is to give advice... They went to college for it.)</p>
<p>I totally agree with you guys on the "be happy" idea...I do want to maintain some level of contentment, I also have to think about my parents' financial situation. I still have a younger sister who is attending a private institution that cost about $17,000/school year (we are on some financial aid...), so I also have to remember that my parents must pay for my sister and her undergraduate degree in the coming years...</p>
<p>Hey mikei,</p>
<p>I was just wondering about your experiences with Chicago, because it is such an amazing institution and one of my top choices...was it difficult to pay off the student loans? </p>
<p>I just want to remind you, that my parents sort of told me that I would be on my own after my undergrad, and that I would have to pay for my graduate school expenses myself...so saving up money during my undergraduate years by going to a college like SCU under a full-ride would be worth considering?</p>
<p>I definitely agree with you on going to an institution on the level as U of Chicago...the amount of knowledge and information that I can learn...the amount of opportunities it will create...it's just vast!</p>
<p>Well..to be honest, if you have close to a full ride AND finances are a consideration for your family, both SCU and American are fine schools. SCU (as you know) has a law school. American is in DC which is a great location for international relations.</p>
<p>I'm sorry but I do not agree that you should assume huge debt for undergrad school given that you have two excellent choices for NOT doing so, and you are considering family finances and grad school costs in the mix.</p>
<p>Have you gotten your financial aid packages for the other places...including U of Chicago and JHU? I guess what I'm saying is...what would be your financial debt at these two schools. It's nice that your school counselors are recommending the more expensive schools, but THEY will not be saddled with your loan repayment costs. It's very easy to spend someone else's money. And it's not like you're comparing your local community college to U of Chicago.</p>
<p>Depending on your location (consider travel logistics), pick either SCU or AU, as both are highly reputable. AU is particularly strong in IR. As a full ride scholarship recipient, you will receive many perks and opportunities at either place.</p>
<p>Well, I'll just leave you with this: Speak with a financial advisor. I know what my Berkeley Haas graduate, ex stock broker, two times successful entrepreneur, and heavy investor AP Economics teacher would say. He would say take on the loans... It's like free money! Especially now with the state of the economy.</p>
<p>SCU, top of your class then Stanford or Boalt(UCBerkeley) law school. After my son's freshman year I would say go where you will be happy to study, work hard and get to the top 5% of your class. And SCU has a very good law school.</p>
<p>To everyone, thank you so much for your replies...they have helped me out a lot in thinking about my situation.</p>
<p>Thumper, I just received my financial aid (ISIS#) from JHU. And they were very generous. My parents were left with just under 10k to pay for JHU (it includes room&board, tuition, food, books, supplies, personal expenses, etc...I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MUCH COLLEGES COST! I forgot to think of fod, books, supplies, my personal expenses, etc!!!)...so it was very nice of them to give me that much.</p>
<p>I think that JHU is my #1 choice as of right now. All I need to do is to apply to a bunch of outside and private scholarships in order for my parents to be relieved of all financial burdens...that's my #1 goal as of right now...and JHU is an amazing institution to study at for my undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>Congrat's, your so fortunate. DS has a friend from hs at JH,(bio major) I had the chance to meet her and she said she was very happy there. She said the neighborhood near the school wasn't that great but the school was.</p>
<p>wow my parents income is <30k and u got full ride =[ i only got 33k (3k loans). EFC is 0. i got denied to usc (my #1 choice). you must be happy with all those great choices :)</p>