<p>OK, so I've been really excited lately over getting into Georgetown. I thought I was set- it was my first choice, I've visited twice, and I generally was psyched about moving to D.C. Today, however, I got a letter from Tulane, where I had also applied, offering me their Distinctive Scholar Scholarship. For 22 grand a year. And acceptance to the honors college and special honors dorms. Georgetown isn't giving me anything, as I did not apply for financial aid and merit money hardly exists at Georgetown. My parents aren't super rich, and although they could definitely pay for Georgetown, I feel as though I'd feel guilty for being such a burden. Besides, if I went to Tulane, they said they will help out with my grad school costs because of the scholarship and I could really reduce my law school debt. I'm completely torn over this- I opened the letter when I was wearing the Georgetown shirt I'm so proud of and actually started crying because I have been so looking forward to going up to D.C. Tulane is obviously less prestigious and located in recently-destroyed New Orleans...but 88000 plus nice dorms is hard to turn down. I'd really like some advice- I don't really have much perspective on this right now because I'm so surprised. I feel stupid for being sad about getting a scholarship but this is hard for me. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>You need to do what you think is right for you. Will your intended future profession be helped more by Georgetown or Tulane? Which will you be prouder to go to? Which do you want more? You said yourself that you would only accept Tulane because you felt guilty about paying money for Georgetown. It <em>is</em> a lot of money -- I myself wouldn't be able to afford it without a lot of financial aid. But the question is -- will your parents be mad if you decline the money from Tulane? What do they want you to do? If they are proud to send you to Georgetown, you are happy to go, and they know that you greatly appreciate what they're doing for you, then it would be acceptable to go to GU, in my opinion. To show your appreciation, you could work while at Georgetown and send the money/gifts home. It doesn't go a long way, it doesn't mean much, it doesn't even begin to cover costs, but it does show that you appreciate them and are thankful for them.</p>
<p>DC is amazing !!! THe differenet students you meet and the opportunites living in Washington DC are PRICELESS!! This decision will impact the rest of yourlife, don't put a price tag on it. Good luck wherever your heart leads you to</p>
<p>Well I know that grad school or law school is more important than undergrad...I was thinking that I could go to Georgetown law or NYU after Tulane. Does that sound viable? </p>
<p>Obviously I would be much prouder to go to Georgetown, but both schools potentially offer a great education. I just don't want to turn down Tulane and regret throwing that offer away because of pride. Is a Georgetown education worth the extra 22 grand a year? I almost wish I had never applied to Tulane so I wouldn't have to make this choice. I just got used to the idea of going to DC and now I'm looking at living in a city wrecked by a hurricane :o( Anyone else turning down huge scholarship offers?</p>
<p>If you're thinking about going to Law School, then whatever law school you go to matters most. I feel like if you go to Georgetown, you're going to work your ass off to show to your parents that all that money they're paying is really going somewhere, and if you get fantastic grades at Georgetown, you can probably get into a pretty damn good law school. It kind of depends on how you'll respond to that pressure, because I feel like you might even get better grades at Georgetown than you might at Tulane!</p>
<p>I loooove Georgetown, but you always hear people say: undergrad doesn't matter that much, it's your grad school that does. Good luck deciding that's really hard!!! I'm going to have to decide between Gtown or going to my state U, where I even got a scholarship, depending on the financial aid I get from gtown.</p>
<p>why don't you speak with your parents and ask them how they feel? If the issue is truely money , you should ask the person who makes the family income.</p>
<p>That is quite a dilemma. I say go with your heart. My sister was actually in a similar situation her senior year. We are really lucky because my grandmother is loaded and pays for our educations, but she was offered a scholarship to Tulane at 16,000 a year... we thought that because her education was paid for anyway, she'd get to keep the scholarship money. I think this was a major factor in my sister's decision to go to Tulane, whether she admits it or not. In the end, I really don't think she loved the school as much as one should love his/her college... she could have gone to one of the other, more prestigious schools she got into, but she chose Tulane for the scholarship. And when she finally graduated and desperately needed money for her own apartment, my grandma tells her "I don't pay that game" and wouldn't give her a dollar of her scholarship. So, to make a long story short, I think you should go where your heart takes you. It's more important to love your school than to love the price you're getting your education for. Talk to your parents, and I think they will say the same thing. GOOD LUCK...</p>
<p>One other thing that just occurred to me...</p>
<p>If you go to Tulane, you'd really have the opportunity to stand out and distinguish yourself among your classmates. At Georgetown, there are sooo many qualified students and it's hard to be at the top, but at Tulane, you can really make a name of yourself. (Like my sister got an award at her graduation for being the best writer) </p>
<p>And if you definitely plan on going to grad school, I like the idea of Tulane undergrad and Gtown or somewhere else for grad school...</p>
<p>But the question is, are you ensured that you'll be given entry to Georgetown after Tulane for grad. school? You wouldn't want to go to Tulane and then not be able to get into Georgetown.</p>
<p>Do you think you want to live in New Orleans, though?</p>
<p>If you love Georgetown, go to Georgetown and make it work.</p>
<p>you applied to tulane for a reason. what was it? was it just as a safety in case you didnt get into georgetown? you dont have to decide until may. so why dont you take a week or so and pretend to yourself that you're going to tulane. get excited about new orleans, about your honors classes, about the extra money you'll have and about standing out in your school. despite everything, tulane is still a fabulous school..
and then at the end of that week, if you still want to go to georgetown, go there. a way to stop feeling guilty about the money aspect is to pay for it yourself. both are great schools but you really seem to want georgetown more.
did you post this in the tulane forum as well?</p>
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[quote]
Obviously I would be much prouder to go to Georgetown, but both schools potentially offer a great education. I just don't want to turn down Tulane and regret throwing that offer away because of pride. Is a Georgetown education worth the extra 22 grand a year? I almost wish I had never applied to Tulane so I wouldn't have to make this choice. I just got used to the idea of going to DC and now I'm looking at living in a city wrecked by a hurricane ( Anyone else turning down huge scholarship offers?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Money isn't everything. Ambience, the academic environment, and a love for the school should be the deciding factors.</p>
<p>Last year, having been deferred EA, my three choices came down to Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, and Williams. Williams and Vanderbilt were going to cover nearly 95% of all costs (tuition, housing, etc). I was then accepted into Georgetown, and immediately went despite the difference in finances (with private scholarships included, I still would have had to pay a good 30% of the 40K). </p>
<p>Wait until you've received all of your decisions, and then make the decision. Go with where your heart is. Sounds corny, but in fact it's incredibly true.</p>
<p>What concerns me the most at the moment is the prospect of living in NOLA. I won't know what the city is like until I visit in March. Also, my parents and I have been told by a couple people that Tulane is a big party school and my parents seemed really proud that I got in to Georgetown...but I could tell my dad was concerned about the finances through hearing his conversations with my mom. I don't want him to resent me. I keep going back and forth between wanting to have plenty of money guilt-free at Tulane and being strapped for cash but at my dream school at Georgetown. I used to be excited about Tulane before I heard from G-town, but my interest totally fell away until yesterday. I'm really worried about being so unsure about this.</p>
<p>If you go to Tulane to up your chances for grad school, make SURE you want to go to grad school. If you don't go to law school, then you have a much lesser degree to get a job with--not that Tulane is a "lesser" school; it's GREAT.</p>
<p>I'm a current a current student at Georgetown and it is one of the most amazing schools ever and never ceases to surprise me. I completely love it here and I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. But at the same time, my family is not very rich either. Our entire household income is a couple thousands dollars less than what it would cost to attend, so my family and I are definately making some sacrifices financially and in our lifestyle, but I have to keep telling myself that the sacrifices are worth it. I feel like I've really grown alot in the my views of the world and I've met some amazing people and gained alot more perspective that I'm not sure I would have gotten had I gone to U of Arizona. Of course, my family has also gained a bit more debt too. Everytime I call my mom about financial matters, I feel really guilty for making my family give up so much but for me, the Georgetown experience is worth the sacrifice. That was my decision. It all comes down to how much is it worth it to you and in the end that's just a question that you are going to have to ask yourself. You are one of the few lucky people in the world to be offered such great options for education and I hope you capitalize on the opportunities. What ever you decide, you'll end up making the right decision.
My advice to you is to visit the schools and talk to random students and poke around the campus outside of the tours. I love blabbing away to prospective students. Wish you the best.</p>
<p>Cochrynn - You will have a difficult decision to make by May 1st.... I'm glad to see you plan to check out Tulane in person. You seem intelligent enough to already know not to choose a school based solely on money or prestige.... fit & feel are impt. You could start an old fashioned pro & con sheet! Think about what you like & dislike about each school and try to find current students who will enlighten you as to the validity of your impressions... My S had a similiar dilemma and chose the more expensive route; it helped when he came to us and acknowledged the $$$ and promised to do his best & to help whenever he could! You do have time; I think you'll know in your heart. GL!</p>