University of Miami, Penn State University Park, or Syracuse University?

College Search & Selection
1

Hey all!
Basically I’m really stumped on this college decision. I got accepted into all three universities, I’m going to mention all the pros and some cons I have gotten from them and maybe this forum will help me make a decision (May is coming really soon!) and even convince me why I should or shouldn’t go to a certain school.

University of Miami:
great weather
got offered scholarships that cover a little more than half of the cost so it’s still expensive for me but more in my reach.
is the most selective of the 3
a good choice if I decide to go on the biology major course( one of my options)
has a beautiful campus
is pretty far from where I live (NY)

cons: would still be a bit of a financial strain,
far from home

Penn State University Park:
highest ranked of the 3
well known, has great alumni connections
huge and great campus
has good rankings in both political science and biology
mostly every adult I have talked to says that Penn State is the best of the 3

cons: I would have to pay for full tuition.
seems to be in the middle of nowhere

Syracuse University
gave me a full ride
gave me the opportunity to be a part of the discovery program in Florence for my first semester in college w/ a grant!!
is in NY
really pretty campus
solid rankings for the 2 majors I’m interested in

cons: REALLY COLD WEATHER
students known for partying

personally, UM is my favorite of the 3 but I want to make the best decision for my future all around like financially, socially, and academically. I’ve heard that all three schools are party schools and while I don’t mind some partying, I don’t want to go to school somewhere where the atmosphere is more party than hard work. I would love some insight from current students/ alums!!

2

I would say take the Syracuse full ride and run with it. If money is not a huge deal go with um because it’s awesome there(haha). The reason so many people like Psu is because everyone in the northeast probably has a family member that graduated from there. Any would be a good choice but if Syracuse is that a much cheaper go there unless you want to pay for um. Also, I think the partying at Syracuse is not something you need to be involved in.

3

Check your financial aid award and calculate
*net price = (tuition+room+board+fees) - (grants+scholarships)
What net price do you have for each?

Syracuse has been known to “pretend package” loans so, just checking. :slight_smile:

But if you do have a full ride to Syracuse, that’s definitely where you should go. Frankly, all three are roughly of the same caliber, and nothing beats excellent+free , not even Florida sunshine :stuck_out_tongue: - with the money they save, your parents can offer you Spring break in Florida every year AND summer internships anywhere in the world

4

A full ride to Syracuse makes the most sense, especially if you want to be a bio major.

5

Run the numbers here to make certain that you really do understand them correctly: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml

Then if Syracuse really is a full ride, go there. Spend some of your savings on winter clothing. Don’t worry about a party reputation. If you have a double major, you won’t have time for parties.

6

Does UMiami give out a lot of aid?

7

If their family member had had a bad experience there, presumably they wouldn’t like it then. So it’s not just that.

But it’s not worth full tuition. Good luck, OP, you seem to have a logical head on your shoulders.

8

Alright so checking both: Syracuse would be 14k without the loans and UM would be 26k without loans

9

Are they both within budget for your parents?
When you say “without the loans”, do you mean the 5.5K federal loans?
If both are within budgetand don’t go over 5.5K in loans, it really becomes a matter of personal preference.