<p>As a parent, I can agree with the implication in Logos’ post - that one should not necessarily expect parents to pay for ones college education. However, very many parents do pay - in part or in full - for the college education of their sons and daughters.</p>
<p>What I do NOT understand is deciding to pay for the education at a select few (parent-selected) schools and refusing to pay for others that are quality schools. Thereby creating a feeling in the student that s/he has failed the family in some way; when, in fact, the student has had excellent admissions outcomes. I feel for the OP in this situation.</p>
<p>LOL; after reading this kids post, I thought the exact same thing, Godsend. Although, I was definitely not thinking of posting it…props either way. Seriously, before deciding what college to go to, I’d try and have a talk with my parents or have a guidance counselor or someone talk some sense into them.
I don’t mean to be judgmental, but jeez, I can only imagine how that conversation went…“If you dont get into one of the top 5 schools in the country son/daughter, you’re on your own…” </p>
<p>Apart from dealing with rents I would say USC hands down. Columbia is hard and if you’re paying so much money without doing well it wouldn’t be worth it, regardless of Ivy league status. Def go to USC; you could possibly come out of that with a great GPA, minimal amount of loans, and end up at a great med/grad school. It’s clearly the smartest thing to do. And if you say you hate cities…as a NYC resident for my entire life I would highly recommend, NOT coming to Columbia. We new yorkers are mean lol.</p>
<p>I’m not mean!<br>
Well, after putting myself in your position, I’ve changed my mind. I’d go to Columbia. Is there nothing can be done about your finance? Why don’t you ask your grandparents?</p>
<p>I also think that Columbia is the right choice, but only if you can convince your parents to pay for it. If not, I don’t know. Toss up. I mean USC’s a great school and all, but do you think it’s the right environment for you? Especially compared to Columbia? I mean if that were the case for me, I’d be 100K in debt right now.</p>
<p>100k is a lot of debt if you plan on going into a field where you will only be making 80k a year.. 100k is not a lot of debt if you will be making 250k a year.. well its still a lot but it would make things a lot easier</p>
<p>Unfortunately the OP’s situation is not unique.</p>
<p>I know students at my school who received admission at schools such as Caltech, but whose parents said they would only pay for them to go to the state school because they didn’t get into HYPSM. </p>
<p>If you have to pay for it yourself, don’t go to Columbia. The payments on a loan of that magnitude would be far greater than any recent graduate could pay by themselves. Expect to pay over $1000 a month.</p>
<p>Kash_Money, I didn’t even get to consider Caltech (or UChicago, which I liked probably the most of the admission offers I got) once I got the financial aid offer from them. =( </p>
<p>I’m scared that debt will be too overwhelming, but at the same time I also don’t want to live with regret for settling for something less than my best. =/</p>
<p>areableparable, No one but you can make the decision.</p>
<p>However, personally, I think the pain of the debt for choosing Columbia, and the regret for taking on such onerous debt, could be far harsher and longer lasting than the regret you might <em>maybe</em> feel for choosing USC.</p>
<p>It is an excellent school. You can expect to have a top-quality experience there. There is nothing about it that equates to “settling for something less than your best.” </p>
<p>Take the scholarship at USC and do not look back…look forward. Get straight A’s in tough classes, challenge yourself in the classroom, have a great time at USC and go to a great grad school. Do not start at that great grad school with Columbia’s debt hanging like a millstone around your neck!</p>
<p>You’ll be in a better position to hold a 4.0 at USC (don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t happen, though). I’m sure USC has less nerds than Columbia, so you’ll have to look around to find your niche… but you can always apply for transfer to HYPSM (although no chance for H until your sophomore year)…</p>
<p>whatever you do, don’t go into college with the intention of transferring… be kind to people and don’t be a rude prig like that ivytransfer kid</p>
<p>I think you are looking at USC far too lightly, it is a top university in the US!! How many opportunities are you really going to have at Columbia that you won’t have at USC.. you need to ask yourself that.. and then figure out if its worth 100k+. You are the only one who can answer that question, but don’t forget 2 years down the line.. the people who you graduated with in high school will not give a rat’s ass where you are at in college, so don’t go for bragging rights.</p>
<p>So you’re going to be pre-med. The main thing there is that maintain high grades and do well on the MCATS while getting opportunities for research or whatever. Also, Marshall would be unique because it seems that there aren’t that many people who are pre-med and business majors (I’m gonna guess that number is increasing?). I think USC is the right choice now. </p>
<p>If you’re going to graduate school, like medicine, you’re going to be under mountains of debt anyway. If you are under mountains of debt before then, you’d want to kill yourself! USC is better in this regard. I also believe USC’s alumni base is better and more highly regarded. I feel like a lot of Columbians go into academia or something. I’d be hard pressed to think of a Columbia grad reaping it in commerce (although it’s an Ivy and in NYC so I’d assume it’s alright). USC’s alumni is fantastic, especially on the west coast.</p>
<p>I’m sorry for you though because first of what your parents are doing to you is awful. I have a feeling that they may come around, but it’d be too late. sigh. Furthermore, I thought that Columbia would be a more enjoyable environment for you. However, considering the prospect of years of debt, USC is definitely the better choice. </p>
<p>BTW, I am not knocking USC in any way. I just think that Columbia is a better school and provides a different experience that better suites what the OP is looking for.</p>
<p>Your parents are horrible for being disappointed, I feel bad for you. Columbia is sooo hard to get into they should be proud especially if they can afford to pay. Well if money was not an issue I would pick Columbia, but in your case USC, and I agree you can get into an excellent grad school and shove it in your parents face.</p>
<p>I would say go to Columbia. Columbia is now free for people who’s parents make less than 60 grand. So if your parents make less than 60 grand, you’ll be getting a free education.</p>
<p>aerableparable- this is just disheartening to hear. As a parent of a child in a private university that costs 45K a year, I just don’t understand why parents will choose to pay for one college over another. In my opionion - Ridiculous!! I also feel bad for you because you are between a rock and a hard place. You earned your admission, but you can’t afford to go unless you go into debt! You can’t get federal aid because your parents probably make too much money and you can’t be considered an independent student because you aren’t over 24 or married or have a child. Personally, I think all these rules for financial aid are forcing kids like you to take out loans at 9%.<br>
Since neither school is a top choice I would go with USC - financially speaking you will not regret it later! Furthermore, I would keep my eye on the future and work hard to acheive your goals. Good Luck!!!</p>