should i turn down stern for villanova (financial aid)?

<p>I received no aid from stern because i missed one of the FA deadlines.. although i clearly qualify for aid. When i calculated the costs, i realized that i would have to take out at least $20,000 in loans or more to go to stern. Also, I would have to commute to NYC from NJ to make it work. I received 36000 from villanova and i would not have to take out any loans... however is the difference in prestige/ job placement/ opportunities small enough to go to villanova without losing a better education? is stern worth taking out hefty loans for ???</p>

<p>20k is not alot for 4 years of college. Although the commute to NYC from NJ can be pretty tiring</p>

<p>Is that $20,000 just for your first year,or for all 4 years? Have you spoken with the financial aid office to try to get an idea of what you could expect next year if you meet all the deadlines? NYU’s aid can be unpredictable, and they don’t meet full need. If it’s $20,000 for all 4 years (and you’re sure that’s all it will be), then I’d go to Stern.</p>

<p>Zero aid vs $36,000 to me is a very clear choice. I will take Villanova with $36,000 over $0 from Stern with no hesitation. You can be just as successful in Villanova as in Stern.</p>

<p>Both have excellent undergrad business programs, but the universities as a whole differ quite a bit. If you choose NYU, I would imagine that you can apply for financial aid for next year, but doublecheck first. Personally, I’d go for Stern, if you can swing it, just because its location might offer more in the way of possibilities down the road.</p>

<p>If you want to go into Investment Banking, I’d go to Stern, while the school has it’s challenges (Stern Curve, cutthroat peers) it has a lot of representation on Wall Street. If you’re part of the tiny minority that get into BB ibanking you’ll be making 120k a year right out of undergrad which is a pretty awesome return on investment. Finance is a highly prestige based field, where certain firms will throw the resumes of brilliant students from “non-target” schools into the garbage pile simply because they can. HOWEVER, if you’re doing something like accounting, or simply have a different path in mind then I’d definitely take Villanova.</p>

<p>If it’s $20k total: Stern
If it’s $20k/yr: 'Nova</p>