You are not crazy. You are very fortunate to have two fantastic offers. If you are set on engineering, MIT is probably the best. If you have any inklings about other fields, I would recommend Columbia. I would also think very hard about your ability to handle work study in the MIT regime. College takes a lot of hard work – even for the best and the brightest. D eased into it with Latin tutoring her first year (which often involved just being there and doing her own work while waiting to help anyone who needed it). Be careful what you sign up for. Bottom line: You can’t go wrong. Congratulations.
@finaidpuzzled I think the numbers are close enough to go to the school that you like the best. I certainly wouldn’t say it’s wrong to go to MIT for a relatively small amount more money but if you prefer NYC over Cambridge, that’s fine too. I would take costs out of the equation and decide where you want to spend the next four years.
@AboutTheSame Thank you for your input. I am very much excited for the intellectual challenge. That’s a plus in my book! I want to learn and be surrounded by the best. I plan on no skipping anything, although AP scores could afford me the opportunity. Why would I want to pass over the opportunity of taking a class at such institutions. Thanks, again.
@Sportsman88 I liked Cambridge a lot. I share your impression concerning M’s value. Thanks!
Also consider fit and the personality of each school. MIT is a technical school mainly focused on STEM which might attract more pure STEM students. Columbia student body will likely be more diversified in terms of majors and personality types.
I went to a similar (but lowered ranked) STEM university and have no real regrets but it not for everybody. For example, no foreign language or art or theater or English literature courses. Something to look at MIT to see if they can satisfy your non STEM interests.
MIT.
My DD was an engineering major at a school with a core requirement also. She said…those core courses offered some good variety to her studies, and she very much looked forward to them.
MIT actually has excellent programs in foreign language and economics, and a host of non stem offerings due to the hass requirements. You could fashion your own ‘core’ if you wanted.
I would call MIT and tell them you’re very appreciative for the offer, they’re your first choice but you got a no-loan offer from Columbia so things for complicated… might they be able to use their professional judgement to reassess your need?
Focus on lowering the loan - work study is actually a good deal, jobs are plentiful and working at MIT is great for your resume and experience.
What she said. It really is not petty. If anything I would wait until Ivy day (assuming you are waiting for other offers) to negotiate although telling them now you already have the C offer is impressive. Dartmouth on its web site says flat out they will consider other need offers from peer schools. Since each school looks at need a little differently there is some room. It is the price of a new car over 4 years, not so petty.
@noname87 Thank you for your comment. I’m trying to avoid missing the forest for the trees. Although I appreciate and value the humanities a lot, my main interests rest with the STEMs. I don’t see myself doing anything outside the quantitative fields, some engineering or math or physics. I can’t lose focus.
@davidcross Thanks!
@MYOS1634 I’m not totally convinced that Fu is a peer of M. I may be wrong, though. I would feel way more comfortable if we were talking about C and Cornell or Penn or even Duke, but C engineering and M engineering? I’m not sure. Thanks!
@SeekingPam Kind of the same I told @MYOS1634 Thanks for your input, nonetheless!
Why did you say Ivy League in NYC and top institute in Cambridge MA? If you wanted to keep which school you got into private I can get that, but there is only one Ivy League school in New York City, so…
@Ahmeda14960 This is my post, you know 
On USNWR Columbia was ranked 4 and MIT 7 which is not a reason to choose one over the other but shows they are peers. I know people who were rejected at Columbia and accepted or wait listed at Cornell and Penn. The key here is you are talking about two need based offers at top schools.
Are you waiting for other schools? If not call before ivy day since the likely letter is more impressive than RD.
I am sure you would be polite with MIT if you choose to call but it is up to you. Since you have the acceptance and offer in hand (and not just a likely letter) the absolute worst thing they could do is say no, in which case you will probably attend anyway and know that you got the best savings you could. Best case you saved your family the cost of a car over 4 years. I would say 20k is worth a phone call. However as you said, it is your post and if your family is comfortable with the package at MIT or concerned about their reaction then obviously pick whichever offer you prefer as extended without trying to change the offer with MIT.
This sometimes works: pretend the decision is made, you chose A and turned down B. What’s the gut reaction, excitement or second guessing, relief or regret? Now turn it around, you chose B and turned down A. What reactions.
I want to add that work study,done right, can be an excellent line on an early resume. At some colleges, it includes research opps.
This is a decision between Columbia and MIT for engineering?? Um… GO TO MIT!
I think you know where you want to go MIT. The price isn’t enough to sweat. Have a great 4 years!
Don’t forget that you will have great internships at either school and that the money you need to come up with should be easy to obtain with the great summer job opportunities you will be sure to have.
@SeekingPam I really appreciate the whole thought process you have given to my question. However, although you are right about USNWR ranks Columbia 4 and MIT 7. That same publication makes very clear that in Engineering M is far superior than C. In engineering M is ranked #1, tied with Stanford, and C is ranked #14, behind Cornell. I don’t think they’re on the same level.
@lookingforward sound advice
That is for graduate programs I think. Last year’s edition ranked UMichigan #2 or #7 or so (I forget). I am sure there are many people who chose the “lower” ranked ivy engineering school or chose based on fit or atmosphere. No disrespect to UM, excellent school.
@deb922 My gut is steering me in that direction. Thanks for the input!
@NerdyChica I think you are right
@SeekingPam I think I’m looking at the right ranking
Home > Colleges > College Ranking Lists > Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings
The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate
@SeekingPam There is a ranking of Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs where doctorates are not offered.
Home > Colleges > College Ranking Lists > Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings
The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor’s or master’s.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-no-doctorate