<p>Currently i'm a freshman at Columbia University and loving it, despite the heavy pricetag. So far New York City is great and i've gotten familiar with all the facilities, the city, and perhaps what I want to study. Financial aid-wise, I wasn't so lucky, and am paying almost full tuition to go there. </p>
<p>Just last week, I received a phone call from the NROTC saying that I received a full 4 year scholarship. The only catch was that it could only apply to Cornell since Columbia doesn't have a Navy program. I've heard Cornell is a wonderful school with a beautiful campus and great ice hockey team, but I don't know if transferring would be the right choice. </p>
<p>If I went to Cornell, all my years would be paid for, but would have to serve 8 years after I graduate in the Navy. Columbia on the otherhand, contains NYC and a plethora of opportunities in itself, but I would have to pay 160 grand for 4 years excluding NYC living expenses. Focusing on the academics of the schools, i've only heard great things about both. </p>
<p>Since I've never visited Cornell or applied there my senior year of high school, I'm not too familar of pros and cons of that school in comparison with Columbia. If anyone has an opinion and reason of which school seems to be offering the most benefit, any information is appreciated, thanks.</p>
<ol>
<li>COLUMBIA
a. $160,000 = 4 years
Assuming you land a job with about 50K+ income,
the 8 years following graduation of Columbia = 8x50K = an estimated 400K+ received in total</li>
</ol>
<p>400K-160K = 240K leftover to pay living expenses/savings/etc</p>
<ol>
<li>CORNELL
Free ride.
8 years in the Navy: 8x50K = -400K in lost income
<ul>
<li>Navy Salary</li>
</ul></li>
</ol>
<p>Even though the numbers are extremely guestimated, option number 1 makes financial sense.</p>
<p>navy doesnt pay well and you'll basically be their slave for 8 years.</p>
<p>johnnzen kinda has it right except he forgot to add in the raises you'll be throughout the years.. by your 8th year you should be making at least 100k (probably more)</p>
<p>i agree with johnnzen, but heres my twist...if you were to go to an employer, wouldnt he/she see you to have more credentials than the average joe; having a cornell degree + 8 years of <em>discipline</em> in the navy? ;)</p>
<p>I'm looking into transfering, so i know its tough to decide..."what if i don't like school #2, or i hate it completly" and "what am i missing out on here?"...its a hard decision...but i've realized that i'm not happy where i am now, and i'm just doing a lot of research to find out where i could be happy...i'd say visit, talk to current students, and just listen to yourself...your mind and heart know what they want and need, and if it seems like a good idea to you, just go for it...if not, then stay put</p>
<p>I would probably stay at Columbia unless you really did have an interest in the military.</p>
<p>An officers salary really is not that bad at all when you factor in that the Navy will pay for most of your food, give you a place to stay, medical etc. I think it has been estimated at around $45k a year including all the benefits. Being an officer in the Navy also has a bit of prestige in itself considering you will be put in a leadership position daily.</p>
<p>If you aren't truly interested in the Navy though, I would say definitely stay at Columbia.</p>