Suggestions on where to commit?

College Search & Selection
1

I applied (and was accepted to)…

  • Carthage College (haven’t heard rom any scholarships yet)
  • Millikin University (guaranteed 14k a year=56k over four years)
  • Western Michigan University (haven’t heard of any scholarships yet)
  • Western Illinois University (8k as of now)
  • Valparaiso University (pending.. can probably get a full ride)
  • DePaul University (pending)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (pending)

I like all of the schools programs (for the most part). I have no problem going out of state (I live in Illinois) but I don’t feel super committed to one yet. I’m having difficulty choosing. I care most about where I will feel comfortable and where I will receive the best education. Any suggestions/advice on what to really consider when narrowing down my list?
please don’t give me the cliches.

I’m majoring in Secondary Music Education and Policymaking/Public Relations(?).
Thanks!

2

How much is FA an issue?

Are there any schools above that you cannot attend if you weren’t given some form of FA?

3

It will vary based on your major, but I would rank them in order of general appeal:

UIUC
DePaul
Valparaiso

The rest are all about the same.

4

You really need to visit them when term is in session. You probably already know a large number of people who go to UIUC and DePaul so contact them as well.

5

I’d choose between UIUC, DePaul, and Valparaiso. If going to college with a bunch of people from your high school is a turnoff (as it was for me), then I’d give Valparaiso high priority consideration.

6

I assume Western Michigan would be the most costly?
As of now, I feel failry confident that I will gain financial aid in some form from every school.

I would like to, but I’m heavily involved in school, so I don’t have much time. :frowning:

7

Far better to miss a few days of high school than to make a bad choice. Missing school for admitted student programs is expected. It sounds like the schools are within driving distance so it shouldn’t be too expensive to get to them.

8

You need to disabuse yourself of this notion. You will get NO financial aid except federal for your out of state public schools. You MIGHT get some merit aid. The average merit aid at WMU is $4100. http://wmich.edu/ir/reports/cds/cds/201400cds.pdf

9

Don’t pay attention to how much the scholarship is, pay attention to your cost of attendance after the scholarship is applied. Figure out what your top three choices are after you have all the packages in hand. I’d specifically look st the academics in your area of interest and what is affordable for you. Then visit those three for accepted student visits. Don’t skip this step – it is very expensive to make a mistake. Those scholarships you are being offered this year aren’t usually offered to transfer students. Make it a priority to get there.

10

Fair point.

Well, with Millikin, for example, it cuts down the cost to almost half
(not including the potential merit scholarship I can get).

I’m pretty sure I’m signed up for tours before/after on the day of my auditions.
I’ve already visited DePaul, Valparaiso, and Carthage. I have friends that go to DePaul, UIUC, and Western Illinois, and have learned a lot through their perspective but have yet to visit.