<p>Yeah, I'm a bit of a Pomona fan (only a small one though ;) ). So, that is obviously where I'm leaning, but it is a decision to the scale that I have not faced as of yet in my life. And I did see Walking Backwards - and it is pretty cool, and I spent about half a day just wandering the campus when I visited for the accepted students day.</p>
<p>The problem is that I have the dream option in Pomona, but I am not the absolutist that is too common on these boards. I did not apply to a school that I could not easily see myself attending. So, now that I am faced with the decision, I question whether I am just being selfish and shortsighted.</p>
<p>If you can rule out ibanking completely then you can rule out Pomona. Eventhough Pomona is a great school, you should be able to do well in life at most other schools.</p>
<p>I'll say this again whether you go to Alabama ( which is a fine school) MSU, Pomona, you will get an equvilent education. You will save almost $200,000 over the four years NOT going to Pomona. </p>
<p>So lets see: same career possibilities as coming from Pomona, similar education and $200,000 more in your pocket or that of your parents....hmm</p>
<p>My parents are covering undergrad either way. They will also cover graduate school if I go to MSU or UA. If I go to Pomona, they will try to help with grad school, but would only be able to help a little, resulting in (my guess/approximation) 50k loans from grad school.</p>
<p>Alright... people can stop bringing up U Mich, especially since DSC doesn't feel at home there. I know that feeling, even with a full ride to Umich I'd still turn it down (not that I got it); the sky was never blue the 5 times I've been there (at different months of year), and the campus feels so disconnected. So, Umich campus isn't for everyone, despite how good some of its programs are.</p>
<p>I'd opt for either MSU (because it offers a lot of opportunities; plus you can really stand out there); or Pomona (which I'm not gonna say much about cuz I don't know much about it)</p>
<p>but I'd go with MSU, in-state, happy with the campus, and go do some great stuff there.</p>
<p>DSC, I figured out that was the case and that's why I deleted my question. Taxguy, as our fiscal conscience :), makes a good point -- why spend $200K if you can get a comparable education for free? -- but I would still say as supported by my son's experience so far that Pomona would be worth the money, again, assuming that your family is willing and able to pay.</p>
<p>Because we live overseas our son didn't have the State U option and we weren't eligible for much needbased aid so we faced early on that we would be paying full freight just about anywhere. In retrospect our son might have gone after some merit money but we were fairly clueless at the time. So. . . we bit the bullet and paid. From the vantage point of 5 years later, it looks like it was a good investment and we have no regrets. Who knows? Life is not a game of duplicate bridge. You just have to make the best decision with the information you have at any given moment.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your parents seriously about the money? I think it's admirable that they're leaving the decision up to you, but if you probe a little deeper you might find that they are pulling for one or the other.</p>
<p>Edited as I would prefer to keep the financial stuff in PMs or the like. To simplify: I do know that the finances will work out, although it is still not going to be easy for my parents.</p>
<p>I have had more than one heart to heart with my parents - and they are very supportive of me with this decision, although the lean on opposite sides. My mom is very much on the Pomona bandwagon. My dad was very very impressed talking to the Alabama people. They both want me close at some level, and are MSU grads, so there is far from resistance there.</p>
<p>So, in the end it is my decision. And the question is - how big of a deal is 50k after grad school? Will it potentially force me to sacrifice any idealism in my later grad school search? Would I need to look at merit aid options at that level, sacrificing potential dream grad schools?</p>
<p>You could go to MSU and if you REALLY find its not for you, you could transfer to Pomona. You will have to kick ass at MSU/wherever, but that usually isnt a problem.</p>