please remind me what's so important about a "good" school

College Search & Selection
21

<p>We are a very close family, so it's not totally unexpected...but since the schools I want to attend are far away anyway, I think we'll just have to deal with it. Whenever I go away, even a month or two at a time, it is not a problem at all. It will be okay.</p>

<p>Money is a problem in the sense that it's painful to let it go, when they KNOW there are options that would be totally free. It's also a problem that, in losing so much money, they'd have less security about where they stand in the future. On top of that, there's still my little brother to think about. Brown is so much money, and with PLME it's like committing yourself to paying the ultimate amount of money there is to spend for EIGHT years, without any chance of scholarship! So they CAN pay, but should they? Ivy league (and the security of knowing where I'll be for the next 8 years, and that I'll match a great residency) is worth that? But I'd probably be able to pay my parents back quite a bit, right?</p>

<p>I already have my parents' blessing for whatever school I choose to attend. That's what makes this extra hard.</p>

22

<p>Okay, I understand what your dilemma is. Under these circumstances I would go with Brandies, b/c there is not much money lost. It is a great financial deal, for an education you want. I would investigate first, however, that if family financial circumstances were to change, such as loss of current job, health issues of one of your parents, would you qualify for financial aid? If you would, I think that I would think about going to Brown...think this through. If your tuition/R&B would be covered if family earnings plummeted in year 1,2,3...8 how this would effect your education, and your family. Would they really be left financially insecure, and would you need to drop out? If you have doubts about these answers, go with financial security for your family,and the contiuation of your education by going with Brandeis. You will not be sacrificing family's security, or your education choosing this route.</p>