<p>Hi guys, I am a high school senior and earlier this month I have received a letter of admissions to my two colleges I really wanted to get into. One was Purdue university-college of engineering and other was Illinois institute of technology-college of engineering. I am an OOS asian student that lives in the islands of Hawaii and so far, IIT has given me $80,000 (20K a year) while Purdue has given me none. I have never been to the mainland in my life so no matter what I know that this will be a great experience for me. I know both schools have pro's and con's and I was wondering what you guys think about which school I should choose. </p>
<p>Purdue: Pro and Cons
(Pro)
-Large University (over 40,000 + students)
-Big 10 university
-great engineering school (top 10 in the nation)
-A lot international students
-great college life</p>
<p>(con)
-(IDK if this is true but from my imagination..) Indiana west Lafayette is in the middle of nowhere? so once you step out of the school, there is nothing
-Does not give as many scholarships as IIT</p>
<p>IIT: Pro and Cons
(Pro)
-Located in the middle of Chicago
-Gives a lot of scholarships
-Outside of school life would probably great (A lot of asian food and stores and many sports games to watch)</p>
<p>(con)
-small school
-not as famous and highly ranked as Purdue
-might not have a college life as Purdue</p>
<p>Seeing my pro and con opinions for both school, which college should I choose to go to? i know this is one of my biggest decisions of my life so your guys opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you XD</p>
<p>I am biased, being a faculty member at IIT, however, both schools can provide an excellent education. So the real question you have to answer is what kind of school fits you best: urban or college town, large or small, etc. The question of ranking is a tricky one. The rankings are often based on the graduate programs not necessarily the undergraduate programs. On the other hand, if you are planning to get involved in research (you don’t say which major you were admitted to) that ranking could make a difference. In this case, though, both Purdue and IIT are research universities and there are definitely possibilities at both institutions. If you can afford a trip to visit, then you can easily hit both schools in a couple of days, they are no more than 130 miles apart.</p>
<p>I am more than happy to answer specific questions about IIT on another thread that is more appropriate: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/illinois-institute-technology/1250197-ask-illinois-tech-professor.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/illinois-institute-technology/1250197-ask-illinois-tech-professor.html</a></p>
<p>Anyway, you have until May 1 to make your decision, good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What really matters in the cost comparison is the net cost after non-loan financial aid and scholarships.</p>
<p>Also, if any of it is merit scholarship, check whether the conditions of renewal are reasonable. E.g. if a very high GPA is needed to renew the scholarship, then you may only have it for one year. If you need the merit scholarship to continue attending, the GPA needed to renew it is your personal minimum, as opposed to the more usual 2.0 GPA minimum to avoid academic dismissal.</p>
<p>Purdue is not in the middle of nowhere. All you have to do is go to the school’s website and click on the map (satellite) and you can clearly see that.</p>
<p>[Purdue</a> University Campus Map](<a href=“http://www.purdue.edu/campus_map/]Purdue”>Purdue Campus Map - West Lafayette Campus)</p>
<p>A school isn’t going to have 40k students attending without businesses, restaurants, shops and lots of housing surrounding the campus.</p>
<p>Ill Tech</p>
<p>Out-of-state tuition and fees: $35,125
Room and board: $10,464
Books and supplies: $1,100
Estimated personal expenses: $1,150
Transportation expense: $800 (yours will be higher since you’re coming from Hawaii) </p>
<p>COA…at least $48k per year</p>
<p>With the $20k per year scholarship, your cost will be $28k per year. </p>
<p>Will your parents pay for Purdue or Ill Tech? If not, how would you attend either school? </p>
<p>If your parents can easily pay for either school, go to Purdue. If loans are involved, then find less expensive options.</p>
<p>Edited to add:</p>
<p>You mention in another thread that you will be paying with loans. YOU can only borrow the following amounts:</p>
<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr</p>
<p>Have your parents said how much they will borrow and how much THEY will pay back? </p>
<p>You’re OOS for Purdue, so you’re not going to get need-based aid from them.</p>