<p>My college decision is down to Scripps or Tulane. I plan to major in International Relations.</p>
<p>Which school is stronger academically, as in gaining acceptance into top grad schools or getting good jobs?</p>
<p>Both schools are academically well-respected. I can't speak at all for Tulane, but Scripps has strong grad-school placement (also can't speak for job placement, as I don't know many who are going straight to work). For IR, you will have the combined resources of Scripps (the EU Center of California is on Scripps' campus and offers an annual internship in Brussels that's reserved specifically for a Claremont student), CMC, and Pomona, which will really add to the opportunities available to you.</p>
<p>This is an interesting choice. Both schools have unique personalities and the graduates that I know from each school are fun, curious and smart. Tulane will be particularly unique in its comeback from Katrina, but some might see that as a negative rather than a positive. I would suggest that you not get too preoccupied with the major choice and focus more on which campus fits you better and where you think you will grow the most as an individual over the next four years. These are pretty different places and neither has a decided postgraduate advantage. Either way, sounds like you have an interesting and exciting four years ahead. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you both. Scripps is my first choice and dream school. However, it's going to put me in significant debt, and Tulane is almost free. (I also live in New Orleans, and I have always wanted to go to college out of state.)</p>
<p>This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, and my mom is making me mail the money in today. </p>
<p>I still don't know what to do...</p>
<p>Isn't Scripps a women's college? When I think of Tulane I think of big party school. I know Tulane used to have something called Newcombe College, but I heard that it was going to close in the wake of allowing Tulane to reopen. Did that happen? Because I'd imagine going to Newcombe would be like going to Scripps. If you can get something like that out of Tulane still, I would go to Tulane, otherwise, I think Scripps will be worth it.</p>
<p>Yes, Scripps is a women's college. As for as I know, there is no longer a separate Newcombe College - everything is simply Tulane.</p>
<p>My heart says Scripps, but everything else points to Tulane as the logical answer. I know it's my decision...but I also know I'm going to catch a lot of flack if I choose Scripps. Lots of debt too. Sigh. I really do love it there though... and I just want to tell all the extra worries to leave me alone.</p>
<p>I chose Scripps over Berkeley--bigger name, lower price--and definitely received my share of criticism for the choice. But it was the right one for me at the time, and I've never even come close to regretting it. I'm headed to Cal for grad school, and my next few years are full of opportunities that I never would have obtained without having taken route that I did. I'm certainly not claiming that it's the right choice in all situations, but I had a very good experience going against "logic."</p>
<p>Figuring that your parents will probably pay a pretty big role for the next few years re: pricetag, debt, airfare, etc., how do they feel? My parents definitely made it obvious that they liked the low cost, close to home option, but they also made it clear that they would find a way to manage whatever I chose, and that allowed me to "follow my heart," so to speak.</p>
<p>I think that if going to Scripps is a viable option and it excites you as much as you make it sound like it does, then you should go against logic. But if it's going to cause a lot of trouble in the future or with your family, then perhaps you can try Tulane...it is an excellent school that you'll very likely love (and if not, then transferring is always an option). This is a decision that should be yours, but not yours alone...if your mom is making you mail in the check today, then I assume you've talked pretty extensively with her and I assume that both options are realistically open to you. </p>
<p>It's definitely a tough call, but I trust that you'll have an awesome experience at either school. Let us know your decision!</p>
<p>I agree, if Scripps is doable go. How much debt are we talking?</p>
<p>My parents are divorced, and I live with my mom.</p>
<p>My dad is against Scripps and will not contribute financially. He doesn't understand why I would want to go to an all-girls college unless I plan to be "a lesbian or a nun." His words. He doesn't like Tulane much either, but he prefers it to Scripps. We don't have the best relationship.</p>
<p>My mom will support me in whichever school I choose. She wants me to be happy, but she is concerned about the financial aspect. She has some money in savings she can give me, but both of us will have to take out loans. (I'm hesitant to try to put numbers on the situation as things may be changing over the next four years.) We have talked extensively, and she would support me in going to Scripps, as long as I understand that I won't be able to come home often, among other things.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on what you mean by support. Can she tell you that borrowing over a reasonable amount--so $30K total--won't be necessary? Will her loans stress her? If yes, maybe you need to go to Tulane. Scripps is great but it's not Wharton, but not woth huge debt IMO.</p>
<p>As it currently stands, she'd be taking out about 15k, and I'd have a range from 30k to 50k (this is the variable I was referring to).</p>
<p>If you're planning to go to grad school and you have a decent non-debt-inducing option for the present, then the fact that you might have more school to pay for should be a consideration.</p>
<p>Sorry you're in a tough and frustrating position, but once again, congrats on being, in some sense, unable to lose...two good options.</p>
<p>I am planning on going to grad school...which would mean more debt, I know. </p>
<p>Maybe I'm just being stupid and stubborn about Scripps...because I think I might go there anyway. I don't want to regret not going...although this way I might be kicking myself 15 years down the road when I'm still paying for it. But..you only live once, right? Eh...</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's help so far.</p>
<p>I am in a somewhat similar situation, though I am the parent, choosing between two good choices (but getting help from D's father will be hard either way). D is getting advice to "go with your gut", and we will do so tomorrow. I believe in following one's heart, and not looking back, so I'd be in that camp for your decision. I don't know much about Tulane, though I hear it is a gorgeous campus with small classes. I do know a fair amount about the Claremont Colleges, living on the West Coast. They are a wonderful choice, and you cannot beat the location and environment, IMHO. D was accepted at Scripps. I feel reluctant to let her turn it down, after looking carefully at the school, and meeting the admissions people at our local open house for accepted students. The young women who attended were smart and poised, with nice, involved parents. It seemed to me that mentoring was fabulous, as you would expect from a women's college, yet the young women are not isolated in any way, since the other four colleges are right there. My D applied to 3 women's colleges (and was accepted). The common theme in all 3 was great mentoring, then establishing networking relationships that last a lifetime. At Scripps, the students get that advantage, yet they are part of a larger environment that they can access if they wish. However, since I am going to let D follow her heart, she is going to turn Scripps down. BTW, the admissions director said at our meeting, if you are going to tell us "no", I'll take your transfer application for sophomore year now :). Best of luck.</p>
<p>My dad didn't know why I wanted to go to a women's college, but he saw the school as a school with opportunities, and that made it better.</p>
<p>Also, what are you going to grad school for? If you are interested in a Ph.D. program, keep in mind they pay you (next to nothing, but they pay you).</p>
<p>If it's 30-50k in total, it's worth it. Take the loan out and go to your dream school.</p>
<p>Thank you all.</p>
<p>I just dropped off my deposit to Scripps!</p>
<p>Woohoo (this exclamation is coming from an admittedly biased source)! Feel free to ask if you have any post-deposit questions...I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice :)</p>
<p>You go girl!</p>
<p>Good for you! take some laps in that gorgeous pool for me, OK? (jk)</p>