<p>Decision Day for 2014 has already passed, but it is not too late for me to switch schools, so I have a dilemma:
As of now, I am committed to UIUC. I called Madison a few days ago and they said that I could still enroll as long as I let them know by tomorrow (Sunday) night. I'm having trouble making the decision, as there are several deciding factors for me:</p>
<p>-Money. UIUC is a lot cheaper because I am in-state.
-Chancellor Scholar: if I went to UIUC, I would be in the campus honors program, which is only offered to the top 150 applicants of each incoming class. Would it be wise to give up an opportunity like this? It would look good on my resume and give me perks such as early registration to classes, special honors courses, access to the graduate libraries, and special trips to other countries over the summer.
-Friends and Family: since I am coming from Illinois, lots of other kids from my school will be attending UIUC and I also have older cousins who already go there. This is both a pro and a con.
-Major? At UIUC I am enrolled in the Engineering program. Since I recently decided I am sure Engineering is not for me, I would be stuck in Engineering for at least a semester taking extra (difficult) physics and math classes that I don't need or want.
-Campus: I like the Madison campus a lot more than UIUC's. At Madison I would be right near a capital city and beautiful lakes. I am an outdoorsy person and I would love all the trails/lakes/nature/etc. that Madison has to offer. I am also a non-drinker so I feel like being in a place like Madison would give me more opportunities to do things that don't involve partying.
-Greek Life: I know both schools have greek life, but I've heard that greek life "dominates" the social scene at UIUC. Again, I'm not a big drinker so I'm not sure if this would be such a good thing for me.</p>
<p>One other thing: I have taken 9 AP tests during high school and scored high enough to get college credit for all so far (I haven't seen my scores from this year yet, which include 3 of the tests, but there's a good chance I'll get all the credit) so I could potentially graduate a semester early with no extra workload.</p>
<p>Since I am committing to Madison at the last minute, I might not get my first choice for housing/roommate. Should I let this be a deciding factor? </p>
<p>My gut feeling is to go to Madison, but I'm not sure because money is an issue and I don't want to give up being a chancellor scholar. Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated! I only have one day to decide!!</p>
<p>I would think you need to have a conversation with your parent regarding the financing of your education. Also keep in mind you have two wonderful choices and either one you will have excellent opportunities. If your parents don’t have sufficient financing UiUC would be a fine choice and with a little networking I bet you can change courses and majors easier than you thin!</p>
<p>Thanks! My parents are letting me choose either school finance wise, but I will have more student loans to pay off myself if I choose Madison. Any other opinions? What about the Chancellor Scholar? That is my main deciding factor.</p>
<p>what difference in student loans?</p>
<p>are you sure that you cant change your major before fall?</p>
<p>The difference would be $4000-$6000 per year depending on what I major in. </p>
<p>I can’t change my major before fall unless I forfeit my spot in the class.</p>
<p>I am a big UW fan but in your case I would stick with UIUC. It’s also a great university, you’re being recognized for your achievements by being in the honors program, and it will save your family a lot of money that can then be put toward something else.</p>
<p>I am a UW parent – although I know that technically UIUC has a higher Greek life percentage than UW, there is a reason why UW is considered a top 5 party school. I don’t see the opportunity for a social life without partying as a reason to go to UW. UIUC will be what you make of it, not what 6000 freshman at UW might be doing. </p>
<p>With money and Honors options, go instate. Yes, Madison is pretty and all, but the weather really does stink, at least last winter. UIUC is a much prettier campus than it gets credit for, and there is plenty going on. </p>
<p>As Letters & Science at UI is easier to get into than Engineering, I would think that, if you decided to transfer between Engineering and Letters & Science (or Arts and Letters, or whatever it is properly called), you would be able to do that. Someone with more specific information about that might chime in. </p>
<p>Don’t look back – take the great instate option, with Honors and opportunities. Congrats!</p>
<p>I’m curious on the circumstances of how you declared a major last fall that you are now completely convinced it isn’t for you? Sounds like ENG100 is a place to explore that and ENG198 for related interests.–sounds like first year is set up for exploration and identifying your aspirations. Take some gen eds. Take GEO110 Exploring geology in the field and do some outings, they do an overnight. I think Madison is great place but potentially 24k extra debt plus whatever your parents have to pay, really? And you are in honors at UIUC? I don’t see the advantages since all things aren’t equal with money or honors. Do some outdoors trips in the summers.</p>
<p>I would go to UIUC. Accumulating an extra $20k of debt to attend Wisconsin over UIUC, particularly for an Engineering major, does not make good financial debt. </p>