<p>OK, we are finally down to the wire (thank God this is almost over!). My son has a pretty good package at both schools -- W&L came through with good FA, and the COA is about $10K more than the COA at UD Distinguished Scholars with the scholarship they offered him. For those of you who don't know, students enrolled in the Distinguished Scholar program are in the honors program, and they have a couple of extra perks such as extra advising. The biggest advantage, in my mind at least, is the large merit scholarship. Neither of these opportunities will leave my son or myself/wife with any excessive debt.</p>
<p>I know this choice is kind of odd in that W&L is a small rural LAC and UD is your typical "big state U". However my S is a recruited athlete and these are the two schools that he will probably start as a freshman, and that is important to him.</p>
<p>His major is undecided, although if you ask him today he says he would like to go to law school. I'm sure he will change his mind ten times before he graduates.</p>
<p>He visited both schools and I he likes the social scene at W&L a little better. I know he would prefer W&L, but I think in the end he would be fine with both choices. Both schools are within driving distance of our house.</p>
<p>Is the 10K difference for one year or four? I’ve always read one should go where it costs less, everything else being equal, especially if he thinks he might go to law school, which is very expensive!!</p>
<p>If your son won’t have to take out excessive loans, I’d go with Washington & Lee. In terms of class sizes, student strength (important for students interested in discussion based classes, which it sounds like your son will be in), and possible major strengths, it’s the clear winner. </p>
<p>Your son should note that Washington & Lee is one of the most Greek schools in the country. Over 3/4th of students join a frat or sorority, but the “flavor” of Greek life at W&L is probably very different than that of other schools, including UDel.</p>
<p>I have read those stories about the police and we have visited the W&L campus. I think they are overblown. </p>
<p>I do think Delaware is “big state U” – I think the student population is about 17,000. Maybe not as big as some others, but certainly a pretty big campus.</p>
<p>There’s a D1 versus D3 athletics issue involved here. D1 can be overboard with training and practices depending on the sport. Where does he WANT to be?</p>