<p>Ok so I was accepted to UT-Austin for biomedical engineering (rejected from honors and so I will lose that small college feel) and Rice, but I have a dilemma-$$$$$. I originally wanted to go to UT-Austin but then I went to the Visions program at Rice and had a complete change of heart. I literally was depressed when I came home and hated speaking about going to UT. It was only a 3-day visit, so I'm still a little unsure about what life at Rice is really like. I also visited UT-Austin, which was nice, but I did not get along with the people nearly as well. So now to my problem...Rice offered me a Trustee Distinguished Scholarship of $21,500 per year (with costs totaling to about $33,000 per year still) and I am waiting for the Office of Financial Aid to return my call about possibly getting more. On the other hand, UT did not offer me anything, so I'm stuck paying about $30,000 for my first year whether I go to Rice or UT. Now here comes the tricky part, my parents' income is going to show a significant drop in there 2014 taxes because my father recently retired, so if I reapply for financial aid next year I may get more money and Rice could ultimately be cheaper. However, if I go to UT, I'm not planning to live on campus the last three years so my costs will only be about $15,000 per year. My mother said that if I really want to go to Rice that I can, but if I don't get any more financial aid for my second year, I have to transfer to UT. I don't think Rice will inform me about my financial aid in time for me to decide whether I need to transfer or not though. I really don't know which school to choose...should I risk going to Rice or just go to UT? I don't know if the college experience at Rice is worth sacrificing possibly lower costs at UT. I'm just afraid that I'll disappear and go unnoticed among the 50,000 students at UT, especially since I'm not in the honors program, and I also hate the Greek life aspect of UT. Any advice from parents and students would be much appreciated!!! Thanks!!!</p>
<p>I would say go to Rice if you feel like it’s a better fit for you, especially since it’s the same price first year. As for the rest of the 4 years, if your income drops Rice will likely up your scholarships or at least give you loans, which suck but you could pay them back yourself later if need be. In my opinion, the money is worth it to go to a place that you love.</p>
<p>Contact the financial aid offices and tell them to re-evaluate your financial aid packages. There’s something called professional judgement which allows schools to take into consideration special circumstances that affect your parent’s ability to pay, such as the loss of a job. You may need to provide proof that your dad retired.</p>
<p>You can also try asking the financial aid folks to estimate what your financial aid package would be for your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years.</p>
<p>I think that in your case, you should try Rice, but with the understanding that if they don’t properly re-evaluate your FA package next year to reflect your financial circumstances, you’ll transfer to UT. This way you’ll have had, at least, a more personalized freshman year (for the same cost as the gigantic feel of 1st year at UT.) However, if your family’s income drops, since Rice is a 100% need school, they’ll automatically adjust next year, so I wouldn’t worry too much.</p>