<p>I am a senior who has been accepted into both of these schools, and their business schools, and I am having a difficult time making a decision. My ability to pay for school and graduate with the least amount of debt, especially if I want to pursue an MBA later in life, is one of my top concerns since I like both schools. I have a 34 on my ACT, and I am a resident of Ohio, so Ohio State is cheaper. Tuition plus room and board is about 21,000, and I received 6,000 a year for a merit based scholarship. At Villanova, which is a total of 58,000 approximately, I received 32,000 in grant aid. I also could option to live in a triple my freshman year, saving 2,000. I also am eligible for 3,000 of Federal Work Study at Villanova. This would equate to around 6,000 more a year than Ohio State before out of pocket and loans. I am appealing my financial aid package at Villanova, but I doubt I will get much more if any at all. Also, I have been admitted to Ohio State Honors, but I can't apply for Villanova honors until June or July, and I may not be able to get in. Unfortunately, I was wait-listed by my dream school of Notre Dame, and I am not counting on a phone call from them. That being said, I have a few questions. </p>
<p>How much better is Villanova's Business School than the Fisher College of Business?
Both are good schools, but I want to know if Villanova truly has an advantage thanks to its smaller size and smarter students. Also keep in mind that I want to study finance. </p>
<p>Is a Villanova business degree nationally regarded?
Most graduates stay in the Northeast (my least favorite place in the country), and I was wondering if the school could land jobs in the Midwest or the South. It is known for being regional, I just hope it isn't too regional. </p>
<p>Will Villanova suck you in with bloated first year grants?
I understand that I may lose a tiny bit of my grant, especially when my older brother graduates and I'm the only student in the household. I could handle maybe a grand or two, but if I lose a few thousand I may be forced to transfer. </p>
<p>Lastly I want to detail my financial situation. My family is fairly well off, yet my parents are divorced, which as anyone who has been through that knows it strains finances significantly. I'm only expecting 4,000 a year from my parents, although my father is trying to find a way to get a little more. Also, he will be able to give me more money in a couple of years do to certain personal circumstances, yet my grant could then go down. Because my financial package from VU is a grant, I am not planning on more than 4,000 a year, because my parents may have to cover the amount I lose in my grant in future years. I plan to contribute 3,000 a year myself, separate of the 3,000 from FWS. I'm also eligible for 5,500 in federal loans, and an extra 1,000 from a Perkins loan if I choose. Lastly, I have 13,500 in my college account which my parents thankfully started when I was young. So I'll demonstrate an example of what my first year of finances may look like at VU.
58,000-32,000=26,000
-2000=24,000 (triple dorm)
-3000=21,000 (FWS)
-7000=14,000 (Total out of pocket from my parents and myself)
-5,500=8,500 (Federal loans which I will have to pay back, also eligible for 1,000 Perkins)
-8500=0 (out of account, leaving 5000)</p>
<p>So what do you think?</p>