<p>I got into Yale SCEA, but I just got a likely letter today for UNC and another letter informing me I'm a finalist for merit scholarships (which can range up to a full ride) and should come to an interview day in late January.</p>
<p>Assuming I get a lot of money at UNC (it's a pretty big assumption, I know, but just bear with me), how can I justify spending $45K a year on Yale? Yale is my dream school and it's been my first choice as long as I can remember. </p>
<p>AHH WHAT SHOULD I DO. Is it worth spending all that money?</p>
<p>(Double posted to the Yale 2011 and UNC forums)</p>
<p>AHHH NATIONAL MERIT LETTERS WENT OUT?!
err... I mean... depends on how much you need the money, I s'pose. Can your parents afford to pay that much for Yale? I say talk it over with them and then decide.</p>
<p>You really need to look at your financial situation. Like you said, it's a pretty big assumption that you will get merit aid from UNC, so don't stress over it too much right now. </p>
<p>That said, if it happened to me, I think I'd choose Yale because I feel the long-term benefits of a Yale degree will significantly outweigh those at UNC. UNC is still an awesome school, but prestige matters, despite what people tell you, when you are comparing schools to HYPS.</p>
<p>UNC is an excellent school system. Prestige is great of course and I am not downplaying it, but the alumni networks at all of these top-tier schools more than makes up for an Ivy education if cost is an issue. In the end it is up to your capabilities as a person that will take you far, UNC and Yale can both be the vehicles to take you far. Of course it's still early - you have PLENTY of time to mull it all over and come to whatever rational decision your heart desires. :)</p>
<p>Insane-- on a quantitative basis alone, i.e. future earned income, studies have shown there is no difference if you are accepted at an elite school and decide to go elsewhere. Prestige is no basis for comparison, but quality of the student body and breadth of individual offerings or specific programs are. If you think you could be happy at either place, the money is certainly enticing.</p>
<p>you should schedule an appointment with the yale financial aid office and explain to them your predicament. they will probably give you a decent aid package. yale doesn't want its yield rate to drop, especially the EA yield rate, so they may be willing to give you more aid than their calculations predict you need, just to allay your financial concerns and encourage you to attend yale. yale and unc are both excellent schools, though, and i really wouldn't worry that your career prospects were you to go to unc would be diminished. initially, a yale degree may help you get a better job in a field like finance, but by your second or third job, having gone to yale won't be as important.</p>
<p>Do you have a specific major in mind? If so, I would recommend researching the strength of that department in both schools. For example, I know some strong state schools (like UVa) that have stronger programs in my intended major than a lot of Ivies. I agree that it would be hard to pass up a Yale education and if it's really been your dream school since forever, you'd probably always be looking back if you went to UNC. There are probably tons of schools that would give you full-ride scholarships if you applied, but that doesn't mean you should feel obliged to go there if you completely love Yale. Then again, UNC is pretty awesome, so maybe talk it over with your parents? And see what type of aid package Yale gives you.</p>
<p>jegan3, I am so proud of you for looking at this in such an adult way. Your education will be top notch at either institution. There are two big issues here:</p>
<p>1) What can your parents afford?</p>
<p>2) Where do you feel you best fit in and which school offers the best resources for your major?</p>
<p>I would recommend having a heart to heart with your parents about finances. If $$$ are not an issue at all, then it comes down to question #2. Do some research. If you have a prospective major in mind (and it's OK if you do not), go to the department websites at each university and check them out. Get on the class evaluation websites for that major at each university and check out student reviews of the professors. Check out course requirements for the major at each school. If you are considering a double major, check out course requirements and course evaluations for each. Finally, VISIT both schools. Go spend the night with a current freshman and attend classes.</p>
<p>My D was admitted to Yale SCEA last year, but took until May to make her final decision. She went through all the steps above and discovered that, for her prospective majors, Yale was the best place for her and she felt that she fit there the best. She has been deliriously happy this fall as a freshman. You'll find out which place will make you happiest. Good luck!</p>
<p>go to Yale. the finaid office will help you with the money but you need to fight for them to lower your family contribution, but they will do it. my sister had to do that at yale and is on work study to pay her tuition, but it is worth the work and the money, if not for the education or prestige, for the fantastic people there (i'm sure UNC has great people, like any institution but it doesn't have the ring of the name Yale that we all need to admitt we like)</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. This is really helpful. Quiltguru, I think I'll probably take until May to make my final decision too, but I do think at this point I will probably choose Yale.</p>
<p>ak72889, how do I go about talking to the finaid office? I'm literally receiving nothing at all from them but it is still going to be a big struggle to afford Yale.</p>
<p>Go to Yale. You will be happier there, and I can tell you that if you go to UNC, you will be wishing that you were at Yale... you wouldn't like it.</p>
<p>If it's really a stretch for you, then can you take out loans at Yale? Or you can borrow money from a family member and pay them back...</p>
<p>Umm.. Columbia, Georgetown, Princeton, Amherst, Wellesely, Wash U, UVa, UNC, and about three others, although I honestly can't remember what they were.</p>
<p>But seriously, why would you apply to all those other schools if Yale is your first choice...unless you turned in you apps before you got your Yale admit letter?</p>
<p>I submitted all my other apps roughly around the same time that I submitted my Yale app. I wish I had waited but at the time it seemed dumb not to just get it done.</p>
<p>jegan3: I'm going through the same process, just w/ diff schools. I got full tuition to my safety, and I'd feel so awful not taking the money...but I didn't like the school. I think that as long as you get a job out of uni, paying back a loan will just be like another monthly bill; eventually you won't even think about, and you'll probably be happier for having gone to Yale</p>