<p>Okay, so at the moment these two appear to be my top 2 colleges to apply to this fall. I'm a rising senior, and right now, I am seriously leaning toward majoring in the psychology/neuroscience/philosophy area.
On the one hand, UNC has two of the best philosophy and psychology programs in the country. They're both top 15. Also, though UNC's costs have gone up astronomically, it is still a cheaper school than private Wash U.
On the other hand, Wash U has the PNP(philosophy-neuroscience-psychology) major, which really drew me there. I have read consistently good reviews about the program, and that at worst it's a good jumping off point into other similar programs. The psychology and neuroscience program there is also very impressive in itself.
As regards sports, I enjoy them, but not so much that UNC automatically stands out. Frats will make fun peers, but I won't join one. I think I generally like the small campus feel that Wash U has, but I can easily find my place at UNC.
Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Just apply to both and if you’re accepted to both, make your decision. Wash U is really selective so I’m not sure why you’re banking on acceptance there to be honest.</p>
<p>Well the idea is that if I am accepted to both I’ll have my decision ready. Basically I don’t want to put it off, and if something about one of the schools really impresses me I can apply ED or EA.</p>
<p>“They’re both top 15. Also, though UNC’s costs have gone up astronomically, it is still a cheaper school than private Wash U.”</p>
<p>You need to sit down with your parents and find out just exactly how much money is available for your education. Is cost going to be a factor at all? If it is, how much of a factor will it be?</p>
<p>How much your family can pay? WashU is a need aware school, costing ~55K a year. If you’re instate, UNC costs just above 1/3 of WashU! That’s hard to justify, unless your college funds are readily available.</p>
<p>Yes, cost is a problem if I don’t make up the difference in scholarship money. Being an upper-middle class white male, I am expected to pay quite a bit. However, my father has unusual circumstances which prevent him from paying what he would most likely be expected to. We’ll probably be able to pay $15,000/year, and the rest is up to me to make up should I get accepted. I do, however, expect to get some in merit scholarships and in independent scholarship money. That said, I would prefer to have an opinion on the base merit of the two schools, without considering cost for now, since I’ll at least be applying to both.</p>
<p>Also, I’m from Tennessee, so UNC is still about ~45k a year, all things considered. I thought it was a lot lower, but when I visited, that’s what they quoted me.</p>
<p>
It is indeed a lot lower, at least for this upcoming year.</p>
<p>UNC
Tuition/fees ($26,834) + Room ($5520) + Food (~$3000) = $35,354</p>
<p>WUStL
Tuition/fees ($41,992) + Room ($8374 - $9264) + Food ($3600) = $53,996 - 54,856</p>
<p>For UNC, I used the average meal plan. For WUStL, I used the cheapest possible meal plan.</p>
<p>estan736 has the right of it…apply to both and see if you get in. WUStL has become incredibly selective, and UNC is very selective for OOS students as well. If you’re indecisive about them and need to compare costs (which you will, given your circumstances), you have no business applying ED to WUStL or any other school. I recommend applying EA to UNC, RD to WUStL, and either EA or RD to the other schools you’re considering. UT Knoxville should probably be on your list as an affordable safety.</p>
<p>If you’ll be relying on merit money, I recommend looking a notch lower in selectivity. Schools in the Tulane or U Miami range would be worth a look. As a general rule of thumb, merit aid is most likely when your stats are at or preferably above the 75th percentile.</p>
<p>[The</a> Office of Scholarships & Student Aid at UNC-Chapel Hill](<a href=“http://studentaid.unc.edu/studentaid/cost/ssa_ug_general.html]The”>http://studentaid.unc.edu/studentaid/cost/ssa_ug_general.html)</p>
<p>That’s the cost for this year’s freshman. By next year, it should be closer to $45,000, which is still $10,000 cheaper. Also, I’m definitely applying to both, but since I’m OOS UNC is just about as selective as Wash U. While UTK is my definitive safety school, I’m confident about my transcript. I have high test scores, grades, leaderships positions, etc., and will most likely reach NMF status. And if I only get accepted to one or the other that’s fine, because they’re both great schools. So I guess my real questions is, all other things aside, which school has the better program for my interests?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure for all of those you’d need to go to some sort of grad school, so the difference between the departments at both is pretty negligible. You should also apply for merit scholarships at WashU (and UNC if they have them which I’m pretty sure they do). Your chances of getting one are pretty slim, but it’s worth a shot.</p>
<p>I’d also like to say from experience that Tulane is great with merit money. I got $25k/year just for applying and then there was a full tuition scholarship app that seemed relatively short (but I forgot to apply by the deadline… oops :P). I know someone with worse stats than mine that got a great scholarship at UMiami as well. If finances are a problem, you should definitely consider schools like Tulane and Miami since they’re still very nice and will have all the resources you need, but will be a lot cheaper with scholarships.</p>
<p>If your budget is $15,000, then you need to be finding out where the rest is going to come from. Spend some time in the Financial Aid Forum, and read up on the places that might offer the merit-based money that you need.</p>