<p>So my parents are rankings fanatics and obviously love Northwestern. They also like NYU because I got a scholarship (about 20K) and it has a highly ranked (oh there are the rankings again) business school. The problem is, I am a communications major. USC has an excellent communications school, excellent job and internship opportunities, and great location (I'm a California girl and I REALLY would hate wind and snow that lasts more than a week...). However I like Northwestern a lot too, minus the cold. Common misconception: that the communications major at NU is in the world renowned Medill school. It's actually in the School of Communications. I am picking up a minor in marketing though, and possibly one in film for fun. I got pretty good financial aid from USC, about 12K with work study (work study from NYU too) and zip from NU. If i choose to attend any school besides NU though, my parents are only paying for the cost of a UC, and I have to make up the difference in student loans. I love sports, and I don't really like NYU's non-campus campus but....I don't know what to do, I have only a few days left and I'm desperate!</p>
<p>OK, you’ve clearly been put in a position to make a financially mature decision at an early age… good for your parents.</p>
<p>So, looks like it maps out like this, assuming the Work Study (not free, you work for it) of $5k per year:</p>
<p>USC: $55k COA - $28k UC COA = $27k - $7k gift = YOUR COST of $20k/yr or $80k in loans + your work study labor
NYU: $55k COA - $28k UC COA = $27k - $15k gift = YOUR COST $12k/yr or $48k in loans + your work study labor
NU: Free to you.</p>
<p>How is this even a decision? Why would you want to be either $48k or $80k in debt before your life has even started?</p>
<p>Thanks for your response DunninLA! I wish it were that simple, but I unfortunately forgot to mention that my parents actually cannot afford Northwestern’s tuition. They would have to take out loans as well to pay for it. So the financial side of the issue becomes, should I take on the loans or should they? With my sister heading to college in 2012, I don’t know if I should take the debt or not. the 12K i got from USC is actually a grant, and the 20K from NYU is a scholarship, so my costs are a little lower, and factoring the costs of living in each of these cities is making my head spin. Your financial breakdown is certainly very helpful though, thank you so much!</p>
<p>Cool, then NYU is the most fiscally responsible choice.</p>
<p>“Cool, then NYU is the most fiscally responsible choice.”</p>
<p>Perhaps for the first time (ever).</p>
<p>OK, so just to be clear:</p>
<p>NU: your PARENTS take out $124k in loans
NYU: YOU take out $48k in loans
USC: YOU take $80k in loans</p>
<p>The obvious solution is for you and your parents to find common ground in Manhattan… I can’t believe that they really value NU $76k in loans more than NYU. But, since they seem to, I don’t think you should feel too badly taking them up on their offer. Or you could save them from themselves and see if they’ll pay for NYU also.</p>
<p>I also think the OP needs to consider environment. If they honestly cannot see themselves in NYC or having a non-campus college life, I would recommend USC.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Dunnin - by the way usually its the STUDENTS who are the “prestige whores” - NYU is the way to go. These are ALL great options and as much as I love Northwestern there is NO WAY its worth that much more than either of these. </p>
<p>ALSO mom and dad should be PROUD you squeezed any money out of NYU - they’re pretty horrible about giving away FREE money.</p>
<p>i agree, NYU’s lack of campus sucks. USC is amazing though. I recommend USC</p>