<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>Im an east coast kid who had the good luck of getting into Princeton SCEA. I also got pretty good financial aid (20k a year). I thought I'd be definitely going there, until other news came out. After applying to Purdue, I received an invitation to apply for the Beering Scholarship. I did, and now I've been selected to receive it. It's an extremely selective (less than 10 people get it), little known scholarship that is a full ride not only for an undergraduate degree, but also a Masters degree AND either medical or law school at Purdue/IU. Finally, I will likely receive the Trustees scholarship at USC, which pays full undergrad tuition. </p>
<p>I want to major in Computer Science (BSE), while exploring other interests in college. I find it's a really tough decision. I feel like Princeton would give me the benefit of exposure to so many great and diverse students. And of course, it's Princeton! However, the amazing scholarship at Purdue would get me a lot of attention there. Also, although right now Im not particularly interested in studying medicine, having the opportunity to go to med school for free after my undergrad degree if I change my mind seems impossible to pass up. Finally, I loved USC from my visit, and I'd also get many opportunities there as a Trustee Scholar (guaranteed paid research as a freshman, funding for travel abroad, etc.)</p>
<p>Basically, what I'm looking for in a college is a place to explore my academic interests (computer science, math, entrepreneurship/finance, neuroscience, etc.) and to have lots of fun!</p>
<p>Which college should I attend? Is Princeton worth passing up for Purdue or USC? Please share any comments, opinions...anything that could help me make this decision. Unfortunately, I have to let Purdue know whether I'm taking the scholarship by April 5th... I've got a month to make this tough decision...</p>
<p>Take the money and run</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>from Purdue or USC? Purdue’s giving a full ride for undergrad, grad, and grad school. USC would cost be about 10k a year, and it’s only for undergrad.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on what you want to do after college, but since it seems you’re open to options, just go with the one that you truly like better and you feel you will be happier at. Also, you might want to consider location (CA vs. IN). Taking the deal at Purdue might mean you will be there for the next 8 years. Just something to think about</p>
<p>Well… I’d choose USC over Princeton for financial reasons, and I’d choose USC over Purdue for location reasons (I’m from the midwest). I’m not sure how the other schools are, but USC is a very good place to explore all of your interests and are very encouraging of that type of thing. Also… I wouldn’t want to spend eight years at one school, but that’s just me.</p>
<p>Lucky! I would give anything to be in your circumstance! lol I don’t really know anything about Purdue or Princeton, but I would pick USC because of it’s vibrant and beautiful campus (seen the youtube videos and photos, never actually visited lol). Princeston is a Ivy league and I know there are probably very good opportunities there! I’e never heard of Purdue but I’m sure it’s a great school! lol 
Good luck with your decision and I’m sure you’ll end up choosing the best school for your fit! :D</p>
<p>That is a tough decision. My elitism says go to Princeton above USC and Purdue. On the other hand, in this day of financial uncertainty, I would choose USC because not only would your tuition be free, but you would be treated very, very well in a smaller school environment – at least smaller than Purdue. And if you get into a financial pinch, USC will take care of you…I was in an honors program at USC ( faculty in residence and I don’t know if it exists anymore) and one of my roommates got into Princeton but choose USC instead because his father was a professor and he got tuition remission. He had a very sweet deal.</p>
<p>I’m sure also with your background you will excel at USC and have no problem going to a top notch graduate school. We need undergrads like you!</p>
<p>In the long run, do yourself a favor and take the money and graduate without the Albatross that is student loans. The alternative is not pretty.</p>
<p>If money is not an issue, then go to Princeton, followed by USC followed by Purdue. As between USC and Purdue my elitism again says USC, in part because it’s private, higher ranked and located in the American West and sunshine. And like Princeton, USC has more OOS students than Purdue, a state school. And USC is, well, USC is USC…</p>
<p>Graduating debt free is a fantastic feeling, and one most students only dream of.</p>
<p>Best wishes and welcome to the Trojan Family!</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>If you want to go to med or law school, Purdue seems hard to pass up. Full scholarship for undergrad, masters, and med/law?! That is such a deal.</p>
<p>USC is a great opportunity and it would definitely be nice to have the financial comparability. USC is a great school and SoCal is hard to beat (in my opinion, at least ;)).</p>
<p>Princeton is well… arguably one of the best undergrad institutions in the country (or world?).</p>
<p>I keep trying to come up with some advice, but this is honestly such a tough decision. They are all great options. If I were in your position I have no idea what I would do. If finances are not an issue, I think I would choose where you think you would be the happiest (For me, I think that would be Princeton). If finances are tight, I would pick USC, unless I had plans to go to med/law school, then I would pick Purdue. LOL sorry for not being any help, but best of luck to you. All 3 are amazing options.</p>
<p>I want to add on that going to Princeton wouldn’t really be a big financial burden on my family. With their great financial aid and external scholarships added in, Princeton would cost be about 18k a year, or 72k for all 4 years. </p>
<p>At Purdue, the main attraction for me really is just that if I change my mind after 4 years, I could go to med school for free. However, going to USC or Purdue would not only save me money. I’d also get much better opportunities as a “scholar” at those schools.</p>
<p>Take the money and go to Purdue. The amount of money you save can be extremely beneficial for any start-ups or heavy investments and the college is well-respected. I love USC, but Purdue is ready to invest half a million dollars into your future. No one else can say that. Then again, the USC award has not been finalized. Wait until you actually get your rewards. </p>
<p>Also, Princeton undergrad is overrated. The grade deflation sucks, and eating clubs also most definitely suck. </p>
<p>Sent from my MB860 using CC</p>
<p>One negative thought about Purdue are the golden handcuffs. What if, after four years, the idea of spending three or four more years in Indiana repulses you? This is like the military or service academies; unless you are prepared to live there for the next eight years, consider your options…</p>
<p>Btw, what about living expenses? As a Trustee Scholar, how will your expenses compare to Purdue and Princeton?</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>I think this is the definition of a high class problem - there is no wrong answer - only the worry that one answer might be better than the others. As with all decision points in life - make the call and don’t look back - and you will have made the best possible decision. Successful people always make the right decision because once they make the decision - they go and make that path work for them and they never get caught up in worrying about what might have been. Hard to pass up the security of 3 degrees for free. Hard to pass up the Southern California weather. Princeton - I don’t really see it in the mix unless you feel you need the name to impress someone.</p>
<p>I’d say cut a deal with your parents to pay you the cost of going to Princeton or USC and put it in the bank then go to Purdue. I really do not think you’d feel handcuffed at the end of 4 years - but if you did, you’d have some seed money to look elsewhere. If not, you’d have the seed money when you get out to launch your entrepreneurial venture. Only the weather would persuade me to go to USC in this scenario and I think I could put up with the midwest weather for that long.</p>
<p>@Seattle TW
My COA at Purdue would be 0.
My COA at USC would be about 10k
My COA at Princeton would be 18k.</p>
<p>@ID80ChE - Thanks for your advice! I’m always telling myself the same thing, that I’m in an extremely good dilemma and whichever choice I make is the best one. </p>
<p>To everyone else, thanks for your opinions and keep them coming! I’m amazed at the honesty of you USC folks in your advice, especially in telling me to not necessarily go to USC. I feel this candidness of alums/students itself is a testament to USC’s strength.</p>
<p>Also, do you guys think there is a difference in level of academic rigor/quality of teaching at the three schools (class sizes, quality of professors, thoroughness of curriculm, etc)? Anyone have any insights on this, especially in regard to USC Viterbi’s Computer Science?</p>
<p>Hi alphabeta11 - I suppose that it’s not a big surprise, but the “prestige” level of the universities is exactly the opposite of your cost to attend. One would assume that there is some correlation between prestige and the quality of students/academic rigor. If money is literally no object to your family, I’d stay on the east coast and go to Princeton. If money is even a little bit of an issue, or you want to move to the west coast permanently or just head out this way for the adventure of it, I’d take USC. For what that’s worth. Good luck with your decision. A very nice problem to have indeed!</p>
<p>Is Stanford an option? That’s where I’d go for computer science/ engineering. </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about computer science at Princeton, but just generally speaking, I think it would be incredibly short-sighted to pass on Princeton for your other options, even USC, which I think is great. But I don’t think you can underestimate the life time of intangible benefits and connections from a HYPS education.</p>
<p>To me its between Princeton and USC. With such a good opportunity, I would take Purdue off the table. The plus side of Purdue offer is the graduate school thing, but you could easily get a RA or TA that offsets the expenses. More important, a Princeton degree would get you into any graduate programs easily. </p>
<p>Primary factor to choose between Princeton and USC, again this is just for me, is the social env. These two schools are very different in that regard. For example, you wouldn’t see a crazy gameday in the football season at Princeton, while in USC that’s life. If you are more like a library-going person with a cup of coffee or hot tea, then Princeton would be a better fit. You will be fine academically speaking in either school.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your accomplishment. It’s not just a luck. Its hardwork paid off. Enjoy!</p>
<p>I think ID80 is on to something, especially regarding making a choice and moving on. Years ago I had to make the choice between USC and Stanford and I recall Stanford would cost me only $650 more a year. I visited both schools, had countless discussions and dissected numerous rankings, but ended up following my heart. Do I have regrets? No, because as ID80 stated, I moved on and everything worked out just fine.</p>
<p>One thing for certain: whatever you decide will ultimately be the right decision for you and you alone…</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>
<p>I don’t have a dog in this fight, so I’ll give you my unbiased opinion. </p>
<p>I would take the Purdue scholarship. Purdue is a great engineering school and it’s free for you. IU is a beautiful campus. To have that opportunity to go to medical school on their dime is an extremely rare opportunity. Even if you don’t go on to grad school, you’ll have a great engineering degree from Purdue with no money out of your pockets or your parents.</p>
<p>Have you visited Purdue and your other choices? If not, I’d definitely try to book a trip before making the decision.</p>
<p>
Are these total figures for 4 years or per year?</p>