<p>HI... Son can not make a decision. He got into all 11 schools narrowed it down 4 and now can not decided. We live in NY.. his major depending on the college was either computer science or Pharmacy.. he can not decide.. but was looking at both those and maybe Chemistry..so bottom line undecided. He has visited all 4 and he never walked off the any campus and said this is it.. I think there is where he is leaning..
Michigan 1st - but out of pocket expenses for us will be around 31,000
Boston - high up there with Michigan out of pocket around 22,000 but concerned they dont have tons of different majors..
Purdue - out of pocket around 13,000 still waiting on FA package
Virginia Tech - out of pocket around 9,000 still waiting on FA.</p>
<p>He has worked so hard to get into the schools he wanted but I just wonder if the BC's and Michigan's are worth all the extra money. Personally, I would love him to pick BC within driving distance .. loved the school.. the location.. although they don't have as many majors as a big university like Purdue or Michigan. But, in the end his choice.. if he can ever decide:) </p>
<p>How many majors does he need? BC is a medium-sized Uni with lotsa majors. BC also has a Core curriculum, which may or may not be a good thing for him. The others are all large publics. </p>
<p>Pre-pharm won’t matter what the major is. Chem is a standard major at any college. </p>
<p>Which college is “worth it” is really a personal family decision. Personally, I’m not a big fan of paying OOS rates for a public college, if you can obtain a similar education at a private for the same/less money. OTOH, Michigan-Ross might be worth the differential. And Michigan-Engineering.</p>
<p>If he’s torn between CompSci, Pharm and Chem, I don’t think that the range of majors at BC should be the deciding factor. His interests sound pretty flexible. VT at $9,000 would be a great deal, but I wonder how you know it’s $9K if you’re still waiting on FA?</p>
<p>I know UM is an incredible school, and everyone’s finances and opinions on what they can/should pay for their kids’ education is different, but I can’t get over the fact that you could pay for him to go almost 4 years at VT for the price of what you would pay for 1 year at Michigan. He would certainly get a great education at any of the four. Best of luck in your decision.</p>
<p>I would recommend Purdue if money is a concern. Purdue’s school of Pharmacy is highly regarded, as are its Engineering/Computer Science programs.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused by the range of out-of-pocket costs (primarily Purdue & VT) given that you don’t have all your FA packages. Even though I’m an unapologetic BC and Michigan lover, undergrad Chemistry is pretty much undergrad Chemistry wherever you go. I agree with Alexandre, given the costs and the possibility of further cash outlay for grad school, Purdue seems to be the best overall option.</p>
<p>Purdue honestly would not be a bad choice if money is a top concern of yours. I live in Indiana and it is a very highly regarded school in the Pharmacy/Engineering departments, as Alexandre said earlier. And that isn’t just because I live in Indiana :P. Don’t get me wrong, I love Michigan to death, but I completely understand where you are coming from financially. 40k+ a year OOS is like a knockout blow w/o a nice FA package. Just talk with him a bit and see what he’s thinking. I picked Michigan, not only because it is just a rockin’ campus with excellent programs, but because I think it offers twice what Purdue does as far as student involvement and activities are concerned within the school. In any case, both are great campuses to learn and develop as an adult should you decide between those two.
I wish you all the best with you’re decision,
Dylan</p>
<p>Thanks to all… Yes, i did estimate both FA packages with Purdue and VT…based on the FA calculator on their individual websites…which is based on our EFC and son’s grades etc… He did get a 10,000 a year scholarship from Purdue . Waiting to hear on the scholarships for VT. So, I could be way off… but I think I will be pretty close + or - a few thousand… Based on what classes he took… he could go into VTech with 26 college credits under his belt.<br>
Ugh, this is so hard… as KandKsmom said it puts a pit in your stomach to pay 4 years at one school that will cost 1 year at another… But, on the other hand … We always told him work hard , do well and</p>
<p>GoGiants, all four schools on your son’s list are excellent and worthy of a student who worked hard and did well. Purdue is among the top 10 nationally in Pharmacy and Engineering. In those two fields, attending one of the schools on his list over another will not provide him with more opportunities.</p>