<p>I was very fortunate in the college process and received a full merit ride to attend university of michigan as well as a place at dartmouth. I am currently trying to decide between the two schools an I am not sure which to pick. We did not qualify for FA and although we could afford dartmouth, the price tag would be a significant and heavy burden. My parents have told me to ignore cost, but it is impossible to do. Dartmouth is a much better fit, but I could also see myself at Michigan. I am undecided on what to study. </p>
<p>Do you see graduate or professional school in your future? Maybe your parents would be able to help you with those costs if they didn’t have to pay anything for undergrad school.</p>
<p>Both schools are excellent, but they are different. One is a small rural college, and the other a large university in a major college town.</p>
<p>If finances are not any concern, you have two wonderful choices.</p>
<p>Why do you describe Dartmouth as being a “much better fit”? Sometimes the things that we think won’t fit our lives as well, turn out to fit us better in the long run. </p>
<p>What else would you and your parents use the savings for? Grad school? Downpayment on a house for you? Seed money to start a business? Better retirement lifestyle for them?</p>
<p>Reading through the course catalogues at each place, what are the general education requirements like? Will one make you take a bunch of stuff you don’t want to take? What about the degree requirements for one or two potential majors - are there stronger departments at one or the other?</p>
<p>UMich full-ride is a no-brainer. Even though this may not be so clear for an 18 year old.You are a good kid, you want to consider the cost difference. It’s a big difference.</p>
<p>Over on the Michigan board there is a student who received a full ride elsewhere but is considering paying full fare to UM.</p>
<p>That’s a decision that only you and your parents can make. But I think you are wise beyond your years to consider what major tuition actually means. </p>
<p>Not spending a fortune on tuition frees up that money for other life-enhancing expenditures. I would LOVE not to have a mortgage… or to be putting more into our retirement. Of course it’s important to us for our children to get a great education. A free-ride to UM is a great opportunity!</p>
<p>Wishing you the best with this (wonderful) dilemma! And if you choose UM, welcome to Ann Arbor!</p>
<p>Full ride at Michigan - wow - hard to come by! Well done!<br>
What is the hesitation? Are you interested in any of the Learning Communities - these make a big school smaller: [Michigan</a> Learning Communities | University of Michigan](<a href=“http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mlc]Michigan”>Michigan Learning Communities (MLC) | U-M LSA)</p>
<p>Hey all - thanks for the great responses. Yes it is Shipman, the scholarship comes with room and board as well as tuition. The only reason Dartmouth may be a better fit is because it is smaller and a little more personal than a large state U. I am leaning towards Michigan, but my friends and teachers were all flabbergasted that I was considering turning down dartmouth. Glad I’m not the only one thinking that I can’t go wrong by choosing Michigan.</p>
<p>Go blue!!! and save money for grad school, a business start up, etc. Since you don’t know your area of interest yet, Michigan offers unlimited majors. But the two schools are very different in size, location, feel, course offerings, schedule etc. so try to visit again during admit days or any time while classes are in session so you can talk to students/profs/attend class. Congrats on your full ride and on your acceptances!</p>
<p>Although I agree with others on this thread that a full ride to Michigan is a very hard thing to turn down, I also don’t think that the OP should assume, without asking, that money not spent on college would be available to him/her for other purposes.</p>
<p>Not all parents are willing or able to make that kind of future commitment.</p>
<p>Also Michigan has an Honors College for a smaller feel with more personalized attention. So you might be able to get a different feel depending on the department or school you choose.</p>
<p>“my friends and teachers were all flabbergasted that I was considering turning down Dartmouth.”
It is very easy for other people to spend your parents’ money!</p>
<p>@marian. You are right. It is not something that should be assumed or expected. My apologies to OP. </p>
<p>Definitely a lot to consider. Try to speak to as many students/profs/alum as possible. With info, you’ll be able to make a decision that works best for you and your future.</p>
<p>If you are a Shipman, you are likely the top of the UMichigan heap. It is likely you will get better mentoring, better internships, better research opportunities there than at Dartmouth. If some of the savings is available to you, you could make three around the world trips, take whatever unpaid internships you like, put a downpayment on a house, and still have money left over for graduate school.</p>
<p>I can’t see why you’d even be considering Dartmouth.</p>
<p>(of course, I don’t have a quarter mil to burn)</p>
<p>I have 2 kids. My oldest D is at Dartmouth. She fell in love with the school, and we told her she could go if she got in. We are full pay. Our younger D took a full ride merit scholarship at U of Miami. It was her decision, and she turned down some very high ranked schools. For each child, they are happy with their decision. I guess what I am saying is you really can’t go wrong. At Michigan, you are at a great school with a great scholarship. At Dartmouth, you are at a wonderful school that is a great fit. I guess it really depends how much you desire a small private school vs. saving your parents a lot of money. Good luck…you have 2 wonderful choices.</p>
<p>Mini, I agree that Shipman will provide wonderful opportunities for the OP. However, one of the benefits of Dartmouth is strong advisors, ample research opportunities starting freshman year, and the D plan allows for great internships. Corporate recruiting is very strong there. Either way the OP should have a bright future.</p>
(would rather not reveal too much about myself)</p>