<p>Hey everyone, I was looking for some outsiders' opinions.<br>
Do you guys think I should take a nearly full (need and merit) scholarship to the UCONN honors program or should I go with montly bills and loans at BC?</p>
<p>BC has always been my #1 school, and my parents are more than willing to pay for BC (they said they would make it work wherever I go)...I just don't know if I would feel guilty passing up the offer at UCONN for that much more money. I do like UCONN too, but I kind of want to expand and a lot of people from my high school go there (good and bad thing, I think). I did get a decent amount of grant $ to BC, also. I plan on going into some bio/geo/environmental research field in the future, not exactly sure what though. </p>
<p>BC may be more of a "name brand", but it isn't necessarily a better school. UConn actually has really strong science programs. </p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn't waste the money on undergrad. If you're going into research, you'll probably want a graduate degree, so save the money for that.</p>
<p>I forgot to point out that I think I want to live and work in Boston after college because I really do love the city (as well as most everything about BC). I like UCONN, I just don't want to look back and regret not doing something or in this case not going to school somewhere, know what I mean?</p>
<p>I vote for UCONN. You can wait to incur debt until you go to grad school in Boston, or can use some of the undergrad debt that you'll be avoiding to borrow money for a semester abroad.</p>
<p>I'm a parent, originally from Storrs (home of UCONN) and my son is at school is Boston. I also hold an undergrad degree from UConn. As far as lots of kids from your HS being at Uconn, I wouldn't worry about that. Its a big school and there are plenty of students there that didn't go to your HS. </p>
<p>That said, obviously there are some big differences between BC and UConn. </p>
<p>How much do you want to live in a city? I know you say you think you want to live and work in Boston after college, but have you considered how difficult it is to afford to live in the city? Would it make sense to get a feel for Boston as an undergrad so you can have more certainty about the area before making an adult move there? </p>
<p>How much do you care about the size of your classes? As a freshman/sophomore your classes at UConn are going to be much larger than those at BC. When you get into the junior/senior years the class size difference will be reduced. </p>
<p>One very important thing to consider though....it sounds like the fields you are interested in will require grad school. Do you intend to take time off between undergrad and grad school to work and save money? Do you want to go directly from undergrad to grad school? If the latter, I would choose UConn. </p>
<p>I have higher level engineer employees who have a lot of undergrad student debt. They are paying that off with a very good salary. If you are not going to finish as an undergrad and going into a higher paying (think above 75 thousand) position, in my mind, it does not make sense to finish undergrad with a lot of debt.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I definately at some point in my life want to live in Boston, at least for a while. And I think I plan on working a little before grad school, but I don't think I'll be making that much! (we can hope, though haha)</p>
<p>It's not really seeing people from my HS, it's that some of my BEST friends are going to Uconn for sure. I love em to death, but I know I would probably end up with them. But I'm sure I'll meet new people there too...ah I don't know it's so hard to decide. lol </p>
<p>If you don't mind me asking, why was it worth it for your son?</p>
<p>If you're going to do the whole Boston thing, it's best to do it as a student (such as for grad school). Boston is one of THE most expensive cities to live in - not many can afford to live there after school, so if you really want to live there at some point, it might be best to do it as a student.</p>
<p>He is going to a school with a specific program for his major. We do not live on the East Coast and he didn't even consider UConn. </p>
<p>I agree with world changer about the high cost of living in Boston....I'm just saying that I don't think anyone should finish as an undergrad with a lot of debt when they have other options.</p>
<p>Yea, I definately undestand what you guys are saying. I misunderstood and thought you meant you still lived in CT. </p>
<p>I think right now I know I probably should pick Uconn, me and my family were just so happy that I got into BC it would suck to have to give it up just because of money. I think by doing this post, I was trying to find anyone who can justify the cost for me lol. I know in the end I'll have to make the smartest decision all around, though.</p>
<p>But yea, "prestige" or like ranking or what have you is not really important to me. It's more of like the overall atmosphere...a personal fit, I guess.</p>
<p>until you said that you think the fit of BC is better for you, i thought you should go to UConn. "prestige" or the name of BC shouldnt factor into your decision at all. but if there is something about the school and you just know you should go there, then do it. </p>
<p>i personally picked BC over Delaware which wouldve cost me less for all 4 years than BC does for one. my parents made it clear that i would owe them some money after college and i wouldnt be getting extra support (like a car, help with an apartment in/near NYC, special trips) when i graduated. so far i can say its totally worth it. i LOVE being at BC. honestly i walk around sometimes just thinking about how perfect of a place it is for me.</p>
<p>If your parents are sincere about helping you out and you won't be saddled with enormous debt at the end, then go to BC. Why not? You can always transfer to Uconn if you feel the fit isn't what you thought and it's not worth it.</p>
<p>Ahh, finally some BC love! haha I was hoping someone would say something like that, beanieboo. But yea, both times I visited BC I really felt like it was the place for me. I mean it is nice to be proud of where you go to school, but I wouldn't pick a college just because of its title. </p>
<p>My parents are great and want me to go wherever I feel is best. I just have to get used to making a decision of me passing up that much Uconn money for loans (that I will be paying back) and bills for my parents, or giving up BC for Uconn (which is still a great school, don't get me wrong).</p>
<p>Well, how much debt would you end up with? Do you have your financial aid package yet? If you have loans of 15,000 or 20,000 per year -- that would be a horrendous amount and quite a burden for you to pay back.</p>
<p>It sounds like you're looking to find reasons not to go to BC</p>
<p>Stick with you gut and go to the better school in the better city, BC
Sometimes people on this site make it seem like it is IMPOSSIBLE to go to these pricier private schools if you are not upper class. There is always financial aid and outside scholarships</p>
<p>I feel like the longer I wait, the more reasons I'm gonna come up with not to go, and the more I'm going to forget about the BIG reason to go-that I want to. Why can't BC just be public? Or free? lol</p>