Okay so I got accepted to three colleges in Texas—University of Houston, Trinity University, and Schreiner—and I’m trying to make a decision. (Political Science major)
Trinity University
My first choice was Trinity University, but it costs $56,000 a year to go there and I only have $46,000 in scholarships and grants. (Including financial Aid) which isn’t bad considering how much it costs to attend. I thought I’d have another scholarship to pay for it (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo $20,000) but I can’t use that one because HLSR limit the amount of other scholarships and grants I can receive to $90,000 over four years and it costs $56,000 a year to go there meaning I’d go over their allotted amount. So I’d have to work and come up with $10,000 if I want to go there but that’s where I really want to go. I wanted to run track there and be really involved around campus and I love small schools. It’s a really good college and some of my family members graduated from there.
University of Houston
I can use the HLSR Scholarship and it’ll be fully paid for for the next four years without me doing anything. It’s also close to home, but it’s not my first choice. It’s large and there’s so many people who go there, but I was accepted into the Honors College and it’s a nice school. It’s not what I dreamt of in a college, but it’s paid for and I’m sure I’d enjoy it once I got there and got involved.
Schreiner University
I can use the HLSR scholarship and it’ll be fully paid for for the next four years. It’s a nice size, but I’m undecided.
I guess I’m asking the universal question huh? The fully paid for school that isn’t your top choice or the not fully paid for school that’s your top choice? Typical high school senior problems.
Trinity is unnecessarily high for a school of its caliber, no offense but Schriener is horrible across the board. Would strongly recommend going to UH, one because it’ll be the cheapest and also since its arguably the best of the 3. Plus as a PolySci major I assume you’re looking at law school, save as much money if you can now if thats the plan
Well, the good news is that no matter which you choose the school colors are about the same.
If I had to go back and look again, I would choose Trinity every time. I’m not sure I agree with JackM82 in that UH is the arguably the best, simply because each student has their own needs and no one university can have everything that everyone wants. If you’re looking for a small school, then a large school isn’t going to be your best choice. However you can always find a group and make the university feel much smaller than it is to fit it within your comfort zone. I don’t think there is a “best” choice, just YOUR best choice. If you can find a way to afford Trinity then go for it, and I know that there are lots of work study opportunities on campus if that’s an option for you.
If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay too - getting a full scholarship from any school is an amazing accomplishment and shouldn’t be scoffed at.
I wish you the best in your final decision, and wherever you end up I’m sure you’ll have a blast.
Frankly Schriener is a bad school so I’d eliminate that one right away. Trinity is going to be super expensive for you since you’ll be using all your aid right away. UH is way more affordable and a solid university.
UH Honors was great and is like Trinity (stat-wise) with lots of out of state students in the dorms. Visit UH (again?), talk w Honors and id you’re not sold, commit to Trinity. That’s a great scholarship package!