Reputation vs. Scholarships

College Search & Selection
1

<p>As April 1 is only a few short hours away, I'm beginning to stress about where I'm going to end up next year. My problem is not that I don't have acceptances to the places I love--it's that I have acceptances to too many places I love.</p>

<p>My decision has come down to the choice between two groups of schools: the ones that have given me hefty scholarships and the schools with unbeatable prestige and reputations. Now, my family was ruled "0 EFC" by the FAFSA...but that doesn't mean that $50,000/year is realistic for my college education. I'm torn between taking the money from a less prestigious school or going to a "dream school." </p>

<p>Here is my situation. If anyone has advice or has been in a similar situation (with a good outcome), please help me out. It would be very much appreciated.</p>

<p>The "Dream Schools":</p>

<p>University of Chicago
University of Virginia
Georgetown University
(Columbia University)*
(Harvard University)*</p>

<h2>*receive decision tomorrow</h2>

<p>Where the Money's At:</p>

<p>University of Delaware -- Dupont Scholarship: full ride + books + study abroad stipend
Fordham University -- full tuition scholarship</p>

<p>Money is a factor; I know that. But would going to a less prestigious school hurt me in the long run? Or would going to a prestigious school get me farther in life, regardless of cost?</p>

<p>Any opinions/suggestions/advice would be very much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Hm, usually the schools with prestigious reputations are pretty generous with aid. </p>

<p>Anyway, I think that I would rather go to a less prestigious university for undergrad and save money, and then go for big names for grad school.</p>

3

<p>I’m confused if your EFC is 0, you shouldn’t be paying 50k a year, do you mean your EFC was above 50k?</p>

<p>“But would going to a less prestigious school hurt me in the long run? Or would going to a prestigious school get me farther in life, regardless of cost?”</p>

<p>No. </p>

<p>I’m going the less prestigious route rather than saddling myself and my parents with a $200,000+ price tag. Once I got over not going to my “dream” school I realized all the opportunities I would have. And all the money my parents saved for college will help pay for a prestigious grad school degree that future employers will care more about then my undergrad degree.</p>