<p>Hello all, I'm stuck in quite the predicament. I've been accepted to both Wake Forest University (22k need based grant, various loans and work study etc.) and Stony Brook (Presidential Scholarship covering tuition, University Scholars [ Priority registration for all 4 years ] ) and simply cannot choose between the two.</p>
<p>I live on Long Island, New York, so Stony Brook is very close to home, however I would be dorming, not commuting. I will probably double major in history and italian, and maybe dabble in journalism.</p>
<p>Let me begin by saying that I can afford either at the present time, Stony Brook would merely mean that I would have far more spending money, my car, frequent vacations and various other amenities, whereas Wake Forest would necessitate no car (insurance costs would increase dramatically), getting an actual job over all breaks and while in school, and playing the pauper - something I am really not comfortable with. The largest issue is that due to the nature of the need-based Grants, my parents cannot access my college fund without losing all aid and basically throwing the money away. They are also on a fixed income and retired. Under no conditions can they work again. I would graduate with fairly little debt, it would just be a real pain for the 4 years that I am attending.</p>
<p>I've visited both campuses and liked both for particular features. I liked Wake Forest's climate, campus and student body. I particularly liked the clean, preppy style that seemed to be prevalent. I was not fond of the administration, which seemed to be rather obnoxious and apathetic to any of my concerns. I appreciate the strength of their academic ranking and the prestige of the institution. I also like the idea of the very small class sizes. Unfortunately, I would not be able to take advantage of study abroad here, nor summer courses. Most of my credits would not be accepted and i would only have about 18 or so.</p>
<p>As far as Stony Brook goes, I prefer the campus and the size of it, though perhaps not the class sizes which accompany it. It's very close to home, though my parents will be moving to a vacation home in Florida semi-permanently, most likely. I'm not crazy about the climate, which is... well cold. I was really hoping for a warmer southern climate, and the vast majority of my applications were to southern schools. I was vehemently against attending a public school from the outset and had my mind made up to go to Wake Forest ever since being rejected from Emory. Indeed, I had several friends who all spoke of how great Wake Forest was, they had siblings/parents who attended, and had themselves visited. I was equally determined however, to give Stony Brook a fair shot, which i figured was the least i could do for a school that offered me full tuition and fees. I thorougly enjoyed campus day, I daresay more-so than my visit to Wake. I also relish the idea of maintaining, and perhaps even improving upon my current high standard of living, which would be impossible at Wake. There is however a massive stigma against anyone who attends a public school in my area, as many students go to ivies and top 25 schools, the middle of the class goes to various privates, and only the lower end tends to go to any sort of SUNY.</p>
<p>However, I wish to go to Law School, preferably Yale. I'm not overly concerned with Wake Forest's workload and I know my abilities fairly well. Stony Brook is not well known for its history, and it is widely considered a science school, a field in which i have little to no interest. Wake on the other hand is known nationally for its students' work ethics and its all around academic strength.</p>
<p>I'm not asking you to make a decision for me, (though if youd like to please feel free to ahead and save me the trouble :) ), but I would like the opinions of the forum on anything I might have overlooked or misinterpreted. </p>
<p>Thanks for reading my wall of text :) :) :)</p>
<p>tl;dr Wake Forest (poor for 4 years) or Stony Brook (IS and makes me rich)</p>