Its too late to back out now. I’ve made my decision and confirmed everything at UMD. UMD gave me a presidential scholarship of $5000 of their $24,000 tuition, I got $15,000 total with financial aid. That’s not bad right? But then we have UNL. I’ve never been to Nebraska. I live in MD so it’s out of state. They offered me $35,000 in financial aid, no scholarship. The full out of state tuition. I couldn’t believe it. UMD is 30 mins away and easier on my parents. But UNL money wise would be smarter and easier in the long run. Sure the traveling back and forth is tough but we aren’t exactly rich and my brother is doing another year for his masters in college the same time I’m supposed to enter. This argument of UMD vs UNL kept running through my head. Both are ranked pretty similar and I’m majoring in Comp Sci which UMD automatically let me enter in. But I’m not sure is UNL does the same. My parents wanted me to go to UMD and I thought I did too but looking on my college acceptance wall and comparing them every time makes me regret my decision and think what if I went to UNL. I’m so confused. I found my roommate already at UMD and am getting ready to take their placement test. To stop worrying about my choice I took down my college acceptance wall but it’s still in my head. I can’t change it now but I’d like to confirm or deny my suspicions. Both campuses are beautiful, but without every visiting UNL I couldn’t fully commit to it. Did I make the right decision?
UMD for Comp Sci/direct admit is a no brainer here - the opportunities you’ll have will pay off very quickly. CS at UMD, with cybersecurity in particular, is very well-connected and funded.
Are you sure UMD instate tuition is $24,000? Based on UMD’s documents for 2015-2016, that’s the total cost of attendance - tuition is $9,000.
In other words, UMD costs $24,000 if you include tuition, room&board, books, personal expenses, transportation and fees. And you got $15,000 off. Considering you can probably cut down greatly on transportation and personal expenses (they expect you to spend $2,500 a year on that, outside of books - how much late-night pizza do you expect to eat?), you end up paying about $2,000/semester for room&board + books. That’s pretty much what you’d cost your parents eating at home and commuting. In other words, AMAZING deal.
Check it out here:
http://financialaid.umd.edu/award_process/cost_of_attendance.php/#undergraduate20152016
Anyway, what matters isn’t how much you got in scholarships but how much your net cost is as well as ROI, and UMD CP is the clear winner here.
Agree totally with MYOS1634. Your math is wrong. The in-state tuition at UMD is not $24,000. And you are getting a bargain.
If you want to feel better, check the weather in Nebraska around Jan-March and compare it to that in College Park.
I mean tuition including books and everything is $24,000 estimated and they want to raise it for comp sci majors this year and because I have a scholarship I have to stay on campus as long as I want that $5000 per year. Its $20,000 total scholarship through 4 years.
I agree that with the cost (tuition, meal plan and room & board without books and supplies) would be (in-state) $17,550 and with 15,000 (and some change I cant remember) it would be 2,550 out of pocket which I am looking for scholarships to cover. But with UNL I’d only have to worry about travel expenses but their tuition, room and board, meal plan and supplies all are given to my in financial aid.
@DepressedGenius - it’s a bit difficult to understand the numbers. You say that you $35,000 in financial aid from UNL but no scholarship. What is it then, a set of student and parent loans? I’ve never seen a financial aid package that did not include loans. Are there grants? Are they guaranteed for 4 years? What is the breakdown of the $35K. I would normally advise going to the school that requires the least amount of debt, but If there are substantial loan amounts, you are not really saving any money.
Also, consider what you are giving up
USNWR ranks UMD #65 overall of National Universities… UNL is ranked #99
Out of the 100 best Computer Science degrees, UMD is ranked #26, UNL is ranked #84
Out of the 50 Most Innovative Computer Science Departments, UMD is ranked 23rd. UNL is not even on the list.
In a ranking of Computer Science Graduate programs, UMD is rank 15th in the nation. UNL is not even in the top 100.
What are the differences in internship opportunities?
Look at the big picture and not just the bottom line dollar figure, especially if loans are involved.
Good Luck
I think you made the right choice especially if you want to settle in the Northeast.
It is not uncommon to second guess you decision but I strongly suggest that you stop looking back at options not taken and start looking forward to a successful four years at UMD.