Trying to decide between these four (among others). My heart is in Cali, but the money is at Miami (full ride) and Alabama (Presidential + Engineering $). WM and USC have provided good financial aid for this year, but have no idea about future years as our family income is not stable.
My current plan is to major in either CS or Mechanical Engineering. I live on the west coast and am not sure about living so far from home. We visit all these schools before the May 1 deadline, so that should help me figure out if the distance is an issue for me.
Basically, trying to make the best decision for my future and would love to hear some other perspectives on the relative merits of these schools. USC is the most prestigious for CS (I think) and I am finding that this is more important to me than I originally thought it would be.
I have government student loans of $5500 for William and Mary (WM), USC,and Alabama. I have work study for all four schools. I don’t really include that in cost in the sense that the work would be my spending money while on campus. Family contribution at USC is $11,000 for this year, O for WM, Miami, and Alabama. My parents are worried about the future years of cost for USC and WM since those are financial need based, not merit.
They really want me to be able to go where I want to go. We have had a challenging few years income-wise. My dad is hoping to have a better year this year and next. Financial aid for sophomore year would be based on 2016 income (very low) and junior on this year, 2017 (low so far, so not likely to be huge). The biggest question is senior year. They are willing to take out loans if they need to or pinch pennies (we are used to that). We have some left in our 529 account to help also. My siblings will start right college as soon as I graduate, so that is a consideration too.
DD is an eng major at UA (2nd term junior) - and she has the Presidential and Eng scholarships (and she is in the Million Dollar Band with a stipend too). I think you will fall in love. She sure is having the time of her life - yes, studying and academic success are important. If you are happy at the school, you are willing to do the hard work. And there is a large pool of bright students at UA.
Miami U has been ranked as offering one of the best undergrad educations in the country ( https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/undergraduate-teaching. ). It’s not just another state school. It’s also perhaps the most beautiful university in the country, & has a nice college town adjacent to it. If u can get all of that for free, go for it.
^ Couldn’t one say all those good things about William & Mary, too?
Also, next to Northern California, the Baltimore-Washington-NoVa area must be one of the best markets in the USA for CS internships and job opportunities. Williamsburg is a little off that path, but not by much.
In theory at least, need-based aid can go up as well as down to adjust for changing income.
In this case, it apparently has nowhere to go but down, but presumably that would happen only in case family income goes up (which would be a good thing, right?)
Anyway, congratulations on all your great choices. Nice dilemma to have!