<p>So, I have not yet received ALL of my acceptances but I already have a small dilemma (although, I'm not complaining, it's just a very difficult choice.)</p>
<p>I got into Notre Dame of Maryland University and the Presidential Scholarship which covers full tuition. I would simply have to pay room & board, which after freshman year, if I were to be an RA, they would cover that as well. I have been offered a position on their swim and lacrosse team. They take all my AP credits, will allow me to double major, and it is almost an hour from home so I can visit easily. Sounds good, yes?
BUT..
I also got into my top choice, University of Virginia. Big difference in prestige...</p>
<p>I've gotten into UMBC with a $12,000 scholarship, will likely get into U of MD - College Park and GWU and awaiting news from Johns Hopkins....</p>
<p>NDMU has offered me a lot, but would I be sacrificing a good education? I don't know what their reputation among employers is and I don't want to regret my choice. Should I try to go to a more "prestigious" school even if its pricier? Should I stick with my offer? ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!</p>
<p>Some things to consider:</p>
<ol>
<li>What do you want to major in? Maybe one school has a distinct advantage in that department over the other. </li>
<li>Do you have your heart set on swimming and playing lacrosse in college? (Do the other schools you got into have club, intramurals that you’d participate in?)</li>
<li>Do you plan on going to grad school or med school? (In this case, cheaper might be better because grad is super pricey).</li>
<li>Is UVA or the other schools giving you merit or need based aid/grants? Would your parents be comfortable taking out loans?</li>
<li>Consider the schools’s sizes, locations, etc. Are those things important to you?</li>
<li>You also mentioned that future employment opportunities is important to you, so think about size and dedication of school’s alumni network and connections.</li>
</ol>
<p>Just some things to consider that could hopefully help you decide. Try to make a pros/cons list, maybe visit the schools and see which you’d be happier at.</p>
<p>Hope that helps! :)</p>
<p>and haha, i forgot: congrats on the acceptances! 
uva’s really hard to get into oos</p>
<p>Thank you… the problem is, answering all those questions leads me to believe I want to attend UVA… but it’s just so expensive and I know my parents don’t have the money for that 
I’m still awaiting on financial aid… I’m not sure what I want to major in and while I seem to get a lot of attention at NDMU regarding my choices, UVA would offer a wider variety of options. I’ll be visiting UVA later next month so hopefully my heart will tell me then…</p>
<p>And thank you! I was really excited! until this little problem arised…haha</p>
<p>no problem! i’m also in kind of the same predicament but with unc - chapel hill.</p>
<p>just wait for the financial package from uva. i’ve also heard (not 100% sure if its true or not) that you can “haggle” with the school if the package is unsatisfactory. Like if you think your EFC is too high and you also say like “hey i’m getting a full ride at this other school and alot of money from another but reaaally like yours; any way to give me a little more?”</p>
<p>Alright, I’ll look into that, thank you! :)</p>
<p>It’s a typical problem. My son got a full tuition award for a local school. Not at all what he had in mind, but he could have gone for free, had a car, been in an active commuter social scene here, and be majoring in what he pleases. Instead, he’s many hours away and his cost is about the max we can afford, and it’s been a tough go as it was a big transition.</p>
<p>The choices for most kids are such when they apply to very selective school and some that are not. THe not so selective schools will offer the money and the ones that are very selective won’t unless you need fin aid, and the school meet it. Do you know how much aid you might qualify for at UVA? About what is your EFC? UVA does meet need fully, which is unusual for state schools, but if you don’t have it, you won’t get it. Getting merit there is nigh impossible. </p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptances and award at ND. It’s a quandrey, I agree, that you have, but a good one.</p>
<p>That scholarship from UMBC would cover your tuition and fees with some change left over for books, transportation, and part of your living expenses. Right now, UMBC looks less expensive than NDMU. What are the restrictions on the two scholarships? Do you need to maintain a certain GPA in order to keep them? UMBC also is pretty generous with AP credits, so do check that as well.</p>
<p>Here is a nifty tool from our friends at FinAid.org that will help you compare the final aid packages once you have them: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) There really isn’t a bad one in this bunch, so you can feel confident that you can have a good future whichever one you do decide to attend. As for career and grad school placement, it really, truly, is OK to ask the different career centers and the academic departments. They can tell you where their graduates end up.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>I’d usually say not to chase prestige, but the difference between Notre Dame of Maryland University and the others is more than just prestige. I know that incoming SAT scores is a horrible indicator of school quality, but it is AN indicator and there’s no reasonable comparison. </p>
<p>I have a young friend who took a deal similar to what your describing. He, like you, is very intelligent and very capable and not rich. He is now a sophomore, and has never done well in his school because his goals don’t match those of the other students, and his academic preparedness is far above that of the other students. The academics are not a challenge. He is trying to transfer now. His school has slightly lower incoming SAT scores than yours. I’d recommend going to the cheapest of the other schools, even though it may be a hardship, if there’s any way you and your family can swing it.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! According to the FAFSA, my EFC is somewhere in the 2000-3000s I believe, so if UVA decides to match that, it’ll be wonderful! I was looking at UMBC as well but decided it didn’t offer as much as ND did but I will reconsider that when I look at AP credits!! I will look into the schools’ career centers and hopefully this will be a much easier choice to make once the packages come in. Thank you so much everyone!!</p>