<p>Look, ultimately, the money is not the OP’s, but the OP’s parents. They appear willing to spend it on Wesleyan (or else would there be a post on this?). We can guess what their actually income is for as long as we want, but in some ways, the decision’s been made for us; the OP’s parents believe that whatever sacrifices they may have to make to afford Wesleyan would be worth it if the OP wants to attend the school. Maybe these sacrifices will be significant. Maybe they will not. Either way, the OP’s parents seem willing to make them. That implies that the OP’s parents value the OP’s college preference over their own financial situation. Maybe DunninLA and taxguy think that they shouldn’t. I personally think that they should and will act similarly when I am a parent. Regardless of what you or I may think, this decision has effectively been made.</p>
<p>I believe that since college is among the most important years of your life–socially, academically, professionally–spending it in your top choice is important. I do believe that the qualitative differences between Wes and U-MD are huge for a student not wanting to major in a highly specialized area (and there are any number of statistics someone who cares more than I do can find to back this up). However, ultimately, that’s not the issue. The issue is where does the OP think they’ll be happier during these absolutely crucial formative years? Where does the OP think he/she will grow more as individual and learn more as a student? Which school does the OP think will better position him/her for their career? </p>
<p>If the OP really believes the answer to each of those questions is “they’re pretty equal,” than I doubt he/she would have posted on here in the first place. If the OP thinks that U-MD and Wes will contribute equal value to his/her college experience, then U-MD is a fairly easy choice. </p>
<p>If, on the other hand, the OP believes that Wes is the answer to most or all of the above questions…then I think that’s the choice the OP should make. By giving the OP the opportunity to decide, the OP’s parents have demonstrated their preference; they would rather their kid went where their kid wanted. My advice to the OP is to choose your school based on where you want to go–that’s where your parents want you to go. If that school is Wes, go to Wes and don’t look back–the intangibles that make up a wonderful college experience can’t be bought later in life for any amount of money.</p>