I’m a current high school senior who applied to Washington and Lee and the University of Georgia. While I’m still waiting to hear back from W&L, I did get accepted to UGA’s Honors program a couple weeks ago, and I’m weighing my options more closely now.
W&L has always been my first choice because of its prestige, small class sizes, honors system, and beautiful campus. However, in UGA’s Honors program, they brag of an average class size of 18, the addition of an academic advisor, and various other conveniences such as early class registration, nicer dorms, etc. Furthermore, as an in-state Georgia student and potential HOPE scholarship recipient, I’d be paying next to nothing for all four years of college there. My parents would be paying practically nothing (whereas they would be paying full-price at W&L), so they hinted that if I chose UGA over W&L, they would probably give me six figures worth of house down-payments post-graduation.
So, with that being said, which school is the better option, in your opinion?
First off, congrats on all your hard work! Honors college at UGA is nothing to scoff at!
In my honest opinion, I would go with UGA. Paying $200,000+ for W&L, regardless of it being your dream school, is simply not worth it. The financial benefits means you or your parents won’t have to worry about college debt and you can pursue a masters or phd without drowning in debt.
Of course, only you can decide (it is your future after all). Just keep in mind that either way, you will receive a great education and meet amazing people!
@KaifortheWin thanks for such a positive response :). Deep down I know UGA is the better option financially and locality-wise as its so close to home. But I didn’t mention (just because I didn’t want the initial post to get too confusing) that I applied ED to W&L. So, if I do choose UGA, I’d be cancelling my ED application to W&L and be put in the RD pool, which I don’t like the sound of (in the case that I change my mind again!).
Sounds like you have a very difficult choice to make! Another way to think of it: what if you get accepted ED W&L and you change your mind and realize you want to attend UGA? There is always a bit of buyers remorse either way, so don’t be afraid of making the wrong decision, and go with what you feel is the best for you.
Admissions offices ostensibly consider ED and RD applicants equally for merit scholarships, but in practice they prefer to use scholarship money to lure promising RD applicants since ED admits are required to matriculate regardless. If you’re a strong candidate for the Johnson at W&L, you may want to switch to the RD pool.