<p>Hello all!</p>
<p>I am new to CC, but I have read forums for a while and decided to join due to the fact that I am in need of much assistance.</p>
<p>I am a high school senior who is getting ready to go off to college, yet I am torn between two universities- one of which did not accept me into their main campus, but rather one of their branches.... Needless to say, I am in need of much help.</p>
<p>But first, some background (as if this post is not long enough):
Public high school
Honor roll student
Top half of class
Ran XC junior and senior year- honorable mention, varsity letter both years
Ran Winter and Spring Track all 4 years- Track varsity letter junior and senior year
Volunteered at Children's Museum, part-time job at grocery store and part-time jobberry-picking in the summer
9th Grade-College Prep Courses
10th Grade- All Honors Courses; doubled in math
11th Grade- All Honors Courses
12th Grade- 4 AP Courses and 2 Honors Courses with 1 lab pd/ week for AP Bio-- My Gpa increased this year and I took a heavier course load because I knew it could stand as an advantage over other students who decided to take it easy their senior year; also, it's good prep for courses in college for the material goes into much greater depth</p>
<p>Now, the college process. However, before you go about reading this, pleeease do not obsess over the fact that it is later on the year, housing deposits were due, etc. I am well aware of that and was able to get in touch with the admissions office of both universities regarding these concepts.</p>
<p>Okay, so here goes:</p>
<p>I was accepted into Syracuse University, and I also applied to University of Pittsburgh (might I emphasize applying very early, for I believe that I should have applied earlier than I had), except the main Oakland campus did not admit me. Instead, they offered me a choice between the branch campuses that they have. I had originally planned on going in as a Nutrition and Dietetics major for both Syracuse and Pitt Main, but then reconsidered and decided nursing would be a better option... And if I would decide not to follow the nursing route throughout my college experience, then I would go into another field- preferably another form of HEALTH CARE such as physical therapy/ public health.
For nursing, I would have the option of going to Pitt Titusville, and for Nutrition/ Dietetics, I would go to any of the 4 branch campuses of Pitt (Greensburg, Titusville, Johnstown or Bradford). I figured Titusville would work because I am considering nursing now anyway, but it seems that it does not offer as many opportunities to advance and is ranked lower than any of the other branch campuses (and obviously main since the Oakland campus is the top campus out of any of them). I don't know if I should attend pitt titusville or perhaps change my major and attend one of the other 4 branch campuses. ALSO<< I have heard of students from other branch campuses transferring to the pitt main campus, and although UPT claims it's their "primary goal," I have not heard of students transferring from UPT to pitt main----If you have info/ stats of this, pleeease let me know.</p>
<p>Anyways, I was devastated when I was not admitted into Pitt Main. I had heard so much about their medical strengths and the challenging yet prestigious nursing program. Also, I was planning on running for their cross country and track teams- although this was not my primary reason/ concern when applying to Pitt, it was a bonus and the fact that I would have the opportunity to participate in extracurriculars such as these excited me and came as a bonus. ---Btw, I knew that I would be given the chance to run for Pitt for my best friend who was admitted into Pitt main visited the oakland campus, spoke to the coach, and was guaranteed a spot on both the XC/ track team- Our stats in high school are nearly identical, except I improved this year and lowered my times, so I cannot imagine not being accepted and given an opportunity to run on the team. My friend decided on Northeastern University due to the fact that they offered her more financial aid that Pitt.
The thing is, with the Pitt Titusville Campus, they have a small fitness center, but really no sports other than basketball and volleyball. Would I be able to run for Pitt main's team if I had spent 1/2 years originally at Pitt Titusville (assuming I'd go to UPT, then transfer to Pitt Main upon admittance)?? I assume I would be but am unsure.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I looked into depth at the different schools, strengths, majors, and programs that both of the universities had to offer and I also tried to contact others to hear about each of the schools and the afterlife that one had after successfully graduating the university. Syracuse is well known for its school of communications/ journalism-Newhouse- and media, which is definetely one of its strengths, and it is good for those looking into business majors. However, since I have not heard much about their health careers or majors (and how strong they are in anything associated with medicine and the health field), it worries me that I will not recieve as strong of an education/ preparation as I would at Pitt). Syracuse has different options for a health field, though they no longer have a nursing major. Though I realize Syracuse is a good university, I would not want to risk the possibility of being unable to pay off loans if I do not recieve a job with an adequate amount of pay by the time I'd graduate from the University. Also, NY is pricey. Weather wise, I will deal with because I am more concerned about academics, education, and a well paying job once I graduate than anything else even though $$, sports, and other concepts may play a role.</p>
<p>Pitt, however, is great for anything medical (Main campus, although I would think their branch campuses would also be strong in this field for it is all a part of Pitt in general). They are nationally ranked for Nursing/ the medical field, but I do not want to risk having a crummy time at Pitt Titusville and end up wasting money and time for nothing. The university has emphasized the fact that their goal is to provide students with adequate preparation in order to move them onto the Main Pittsburgh Campus.... but they always leave that with the note that they cannot guarantee admissions into the main campus, which is my ultimate goal; I know that there are students who often choose to either stay at the campuses all 2/4 years or directly go and get a job when at the Pittsburgh branch campuses, but honestly, my primary goal is to transfer to the branch campus. If I need to spend a year or two (depending on whether/not I am admitted into the Nursing program at UPT) at UPT in order to achieve this goal, that is fine, but if I cannot gain admissions into the Main campus, then I do not find my time at UPT worthwhile.</p>
<p>Syracuse and Pitt would both leave me with debt... However, for Syracuse, I would be beyond $60,000 in debt after 4 yrs/ bachelor's degree in whatever I chose to pursue. I would be in debt about 15,000/ year but that is without considering the loans because out of the $38,000 they gave me, $7,000 would be loans each year... So I would say it is more like $31,000/ year?? Whereas for UPT, I would imagine it would be less (I would be an in-state student for I live in PA)> They are still trying to figure out my financial aid, but overall UPT is $23,000, except I imagine they would have to give me some sort of financial aid, which would make it about $10,000 or $15,000/ year, if not less.</p>
<p>To be honest, I have been leaning toward Pittsburgh throughout the process, but the fact that they did not admit me into their main (Oakland) campus came across to me as devastating. Had I been admitted to Pitt main I don't think I would be nearly as hesitant to make my decision. </p>
<p>--I feel as though Syracuse is not worth it for all the debt, especially since it is more known for Newhouse, business, and communications rather than health, medicine, and nursing which I plan to pursue, but it is still a good school and apparently has good connections.</p>
<p>I guess the ultimate question would be whether or not UPT is worth it and will actually help me proceed onto the main pitt campus?? Also, is the debt for Syracuse worth it?</p>
<p>Sorry for the lengthy passage</p>
<p>Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you!!!</p>