I have just about finished applying for colleges and was recently thinking about the possible routes I may have to choose from when it comes to the next step of my education. I realize that I have no way of knowing what will happen when it comes to admissions decisions, but I’d like to just see what the CC community would do if they were tackling my problem.
So far I’ve applied to:
Columbia University, Yale University, Brown University, Washington University in St. Louis, New York University, Arizona University, Kansas University
Honestly, I have a 3.85/4 GPA and haven’t started my own business/raised 82347 younger siblings/emigrated from another country to escape oppression like some people have, so realistically speaking I’m guessing the Ivies + Wash U are not going to happen.
KU has offered me 10.5k/yr, so I’d be paying ~24k/yr to attend before financial aid
ASU has offered me a full tuition scholarship, so I’d be paying ~17k before financial aid (assuming I get into the Honors College, which apparently a lot of NHRP scholars do)
NYU is ~66k/yr to attend before financial aid (which I have heard is often not much)
I live in Illinois but don’t mind long distances and have a twin sister who is also going to college come September to think about. Also, I’d prefer a more liberal atmosphere (am gay) but could deal with conservative attitudes as long as I’m not super likely to get beat up.
Basically, if you were looking at my options and data and had to pick which school to attend, which would it by and why? I know that it all comes down to who admits me and how much each school offers and my own personal preferences, but what would you do?
Out of the 3 choices you listed, I would personally go with ASU because it’s the best combination of scholarship money/financial aid and academics (Barrett Honors College is considered one of the best honors colleges in the country). However, it really depends on where you feel comfortable. Right now, I suggest you continue to research the colleges you’ve applied to and learn as much as you can, so that come admissions decisions, you have a clearer idea of where you might be happy. Then, if possible, visit the colleges you are admitted to finalize your decision with one eye on the financial aspect of everything.
Thanks for the quick response! I’ve been to all but KU and ASU, but am planning to visit ASU in March. And although I know that this ultimately comes down to what I think is the best choice, I was super curious to see what others would do in my shoes.
I’d go to the least expensive school because, for me, it was all about what I did at my school rather than what the school did. The large state flagship did just fine by me, by the way. I was in no position to spend even 20 or 30K/yr on a school. I wasn’t heading toward a lucrative salary and didn’t want to take on more than a limited amount of loans. (Still, it took me ten years to pay those blood suckers off.) I was also the oldest and all that entails in a working class family. So because I thought it wasn’t about where but who, I chose accordingly and relied a great deal on my counselors, professors, friends, grad students, and my network to succeed. This is not to say that WashU cannot offer you a great education but that ASU can as well if you work the resources ASU offers; it will just be a different education.
Consider what your situation is and that of your family. Keep in mind that prestige means something only to you and a few other people who will never matter much to you. @Episteme gives good advice. If you can not overnight or at least visit a campus, ask the admissions office to put you in touch with seniors with whom you can discuss your questions. Chances are that those seniors once had the same questions about their school that you now have.
University of Arizona will give you a $30,000/year scholarship as well for NHRP. You will get a great education at either Arizona school and you will save a lot of money. I am sure you will fit in at either school as they have a large population of students. ASU used to give $100 for a flight to visit Barrett if you were NHRP. Give them a call and see if they still have that program.
Definitely ASU over KU and NYU with no fin aid.
However, speculation is useless (and without knowing your fin aid packages, it’s impossible to compare). You should see where you get in and how much you have to spend first.
What are potential majors and goals?
right now, ASU Barrett is the best deal, especially if you get the NHRP deal.It’s the best combination of academics and financial responsibility for you.
http://barretthonors.asu.edu/admissions/national-scholars/
https://scholarships.asu.edu/scholarship/1652
HOWEVER, you might have a chance as NHS at one among Brown, Yale, or Columbia. You never know. And their financial aid package typically is very good, so that if admitted to one of them, it may not be as expensive as Barrett while providing more resources, more support, and more opportunities (not to mention extraordinary classmates).
You may also want to read Leo’s blogposts here:
http://www.firstgenerationstudent.com/blog/reflecting-on-my-freshman-year-at-yale-and-plans-for-summer/