My son has three good options: 1)UCSB Honors, $30k/year; 2)Boston University (maybe honors - he is waiting to hear), $50k/year ($20k/year scholarship); 3)Temple University Honors, $15k/year (full tuition Presidential Scholars award + 2 $4k summer stipends). He’ll be a poly sci major, interested in politics/law/communications… looking for any opinions/help in deciding. TIA!
the prices I posted are what we’d be paying in total, incl room & board, etc, after scholarships
Is money a factor at all? Would you be taking loans to fund the more expensive options?
BU would cost you $200,000 for four years.
What does your kiddo want to do? He is the one going to college.
I’m not familiar with Temple, but I’ve heard wonderful things about UCSB’s Honors program. If money isn’t a factor, where does he want to live/work post college graduation?
What can your family comfortably afford (no loans, no hardship etc.).
What schools does he prefer?
He plans to major in poly sci & is interested in law/politics/communications right now (but who knows what it could change to!). At the moment, the idea of moving across the country (we live in California) is scary, so he is leaning towards UCSB. We did visit both BU & Temple and he liked them both quite a bit. And it snowed while in Philly, so that was a plus - to experience that for even a day. I don’t want him to make his decision based on fear, but in the end this is 100% his decision. Full tuition would be great, but we could make any of these options work (we already edited out the options that didn’t offer him anything at all). He’s really stymied, so I told him I’d ask here, to see if anyone had insights into the schools/programs. Thanks!
The SB Honors program is really good. Does the Temple or BU scholly have a GPA minimum to maintain for the second year?
If interested in law, GPA+LSAT is all that matters. Law schools are mighty expensive, so I’d recommend saving the cash.
Yes - has to maintain 3.0 for $$ and 3.2 for the honors programs
My D applied to Temple as a financial safety(she was also awarded the presidential scholarship) and after attending the Feb. accepted students day, it became her top choice and she will attend in the Fall. We were all blown away by the caliber of all the students and staff that we met, and the opportunities she will have as a honors student, as well as internships and jobs/shadowing close by in Philly, just phenomenal. The (2) $4K stipends are a big bonus, and can subsidize a travel abroad experience, research, or an unpaid internship. There has been a lot of investment in the campus and it felt very safe, despite rumors to the contrary.
She had other excellent offers and our State U was also an affordable choice for us(still about 5K more per year than Temple and no $4K stipends), but Temple rose to the top, and we are thrilled that she is now an Owl!!!
As a mom who also has a senior graduating from a different University, I can say that those 4 years have flown by crazy fast, and a longer distance (5 hours, I know, not huge, but still too far for impromptu visits) was really not a big deal with skype and the ability to check in via texting/calling.
Compare the honors programs at each school. Check for available courses at more advanced levels, any research opportunities, requirements for the degree, available courses. One school may seem more intriguing than the others. This is assuming all are affordable for family finances. At a good school/campus/city he won’t be wanting to return home except when major breaks occur.
You can get a fine education at all three of these schools, so naturally you should live at the beach for the next 4 years. :ar!
We’re also in California & my D is finishing up her sophomore year at Temple. She loves it there & she’s not a particularly adventurous type. The scholarship & stipends are simply amazing. Philly is a fabulous city. Can you tell we are very pleased so far?
I’d go with either UCSB or Temple as they’re good Honors programs, but I’d lean toward UCSB for the overall university caliber + weather/environment, or Temple if your child wants to experience another part of the country and live in a major, historical city.
It’s hard to imagine two more different locations. Paradise vs. a rough inner city neighborhood?