I’m an international student who is trying to decide between these schools. Right now Temple and Miami-OH are more affordable than Earlham (they asked me to pay 5k more than my family’s contribution), but I’m trying to negotiate with them to see if they can increase the aid package.
I like Earlham the most because I’ve always wanted to go to a liberal arts college. Temple and Miami-OH are both big, public universities but if I do have to choose between these two, size doesn’t matter anymore. I just want to hear your advice to see which school is better for my major. I also want to double major in Economics or something business-related and both Temple and Miami-OH have good Business schools. My question, however, is: will it be easy to double major at these schools (since those majors are in different schools)? Is it easy to find on-campus job at Temple? I’ve heard that getting a job in the dining hall at Miami-OH is easy and it’s well paid, but I couldn’t find anything about Temple. My friend is a freshman there and he said so far he couldn’t get a job yet so I’m really really worried.
Also, Miami-OH is ranked significantly higher in the national rankings system (#76), while Temple is #121. Does ranking really matter? I plan to go straight to grad schools after graduation - and Miami-OH is also best known for its amazing undergrad teaching experience. The campus also looks amazing. At Temple, I’m in the Honors program so I believe the academics will be good, but this I’m not so sure. I don’t know how it compares to Miami-OH.
The cost for my first year at either of those three is pretty similar - 11-12k for room+board+university fees, but adding the insurance, travel and expenses it can add up to 15k. After the first year, if I go to Temple I can live off-campus and it will reduce the costs significantly. At Miami-OH, I can do this after the second year. I don’t think this is possible at Earlham, so even if Earlham gives me 5k more, which leaves me to pay 10k for my first year, I also have to face the fact that tuition will go up in the next years (Earlham said I’m responsible for that because the aid will not increase).
I know this post is confusing because I’m in a tough situation here. I actually want to go to a place that costs me the least but I find it really hard to plan the total costs of my education. Please please help me.
Do you have work study as part of your package at either Miami OH or Temple? If not, can you email admissions/financial aid and ask for a work study award (even a small one such as $1,000 a semester would help tremendously… and as long as you have a work study award, you’re eligible for positions. If you don’t, you can’t have work-study jobs.)
Are you in the Honors College at Miami-OH? Considering your stats, you should - email the Dean of the Honors College and ask your application be reviewed. A side-benefit would be the Honors Dorms, which are better. (If this doesn’t work, definitely request a Quiet FLoor or Substance-free housing/“Healthy alternatives” dorm.)
My application for Miami Honors was still being reviewed. I didn’t receive any words since I asked them for reconsideration. But if I do go to Miami, applying for Honors College after I attend won’t be too difficult.
Both Temple and Miami don’t give me financial aid, so I’m not sure I can ask them to add work-study in my award. Besides, I can always apply for on-campus jobs - they are just harder to find. At Miami it’s really easy because most students without work-study work in dining halls, but from what I’ve heard about Temple, it can be much more difficult because dining halls don’t recruit student employees.
Many inernationals think “I can just ask for on campus jobs”, but the reality is that most of those go to work study students… that’s why it’s important to have a work study award as it makes finding a job much easier and you don’t want to make your life harder than it’s going to be. You won’t be allowed to work off campus, unlike American students, so it’s very important you at least try to get work study. Even if you didn’t get FA, there’s no risk in presenting your merit award letter to your favorite college and saying that you’d choose them if they could just add a work study award so you can be guaranteed a job on campus…
When will you hear back about Honors?
I sent the head of Miami Honors program an email. I expect to hear back next week.
Earlham gives me a work-study. Do you think that makes finding an on-campus job in summer easier?
I think you need to ask Earlham about that. Usually work-study money is allotted per academic semester. The admissions counselor seem very open to questions.
Hello, From what I understand, Earlham does try to give summer work preference to foreign students. Also they can help with a lot of paid internships or undergraduate research if you are able to do one of those. You need to be sure to do something that you can afford for the complete four years, but hopefully money is not the only deciding factor. Let the schools know your concerns and see if they can provide more assistance, but in the end you need to figure out what you can handle financially.