<p>I got into Yale SCEA with no financial aid whatsoever. I also just found out today I am a Jefferson Scholar at UVA (which is a full ride plus leadership training stuff/enrichment opportunities plus a summer abroad doing whatever I want wherever I want to go) and an Echols Scholar (priority course registration and open curriculum).</p>
<p>It's incredibly, unbelievaby selfish of me to even have to think twice about this - I know that, so please don't yell at me about it. But I want to make 100% sure that I'm making the right decision. I really liked UVA and I loved the program itself, but Yale is my absolute dream school and it seriously hurts me to consider turning it down. </p>
<p>I'm almost positive I'm taking UVA's offer, but I'm just worried that the quality of the school and its departments (I plan to double major in some combination of history, anthropology, and foreign affairs) aren't as strong as Yale's, or that turning down the Yale "name" will hurt me later on down the line. </p>
<p>So. Is paying through the nose for Yale's name and programs worth it? Or can I get an education of equal caliber at UVA?</p>
<p>I would take the Jefferson scholarship, no question. Yale's departments are certainly strong, but not THAT much stronger than UVA's--especially with free and privileged access to UVA's departments (that would really tip the scales for me). UVA has a great name for the departments you mentioned, and anyway this is your undergrad, not grad school.</p>
<p>I know what you mean about Yale--it's really special. You will have regrets either way--so it is.</p>
<p>If money is no object to you and your family then follow your desire to go to Yale. If this will put any strain what-so-ever on your family, then in my opinion you would be foolish to turn down the offer to UVA</p>
<p>i'd say - when it comes to grad school admissions and overall undergrad oppurtunities, being a jefferson scholar beats yale hands down - but if you really have a gut feeling towards yale, go with your inclination. yale is my dream school too so i'm kind of glad i'm not in your predicament</p>
<p>Two kids I know personally who are current undergrads at Yale are not particularly happy there. Of course, being a freshman anywhere is an adjustment. But keep in mind that the reality of any "dream school" can have trouble matching the "dream."</p>
<p>If you take the UVA award, know that you will always wonder "what if...?" But if you don't take it, you may also think longingly of that travel, of the preferential treatment, of the delightful freedom/opportunities that come with a LACK of financial stress...</p>
<p>You can't make a "wrong" choice. On the other hand, the irony here is that each possibility is so good, that in going with either option, you have to give up something very tempting... So, you can't make a "right" choice, either!</p>
<p>Two outstanding schools -- two prestigious schools -- huge financial difference. But maybe the financial cost is only a minor consideration?</p>
<p>Good luck! Tough choice, but an enviable position to be in!</p>
<p>This is a conversation to have with your parents. Yale tuition payments hurt even those who have high salaries--it's an awful lot to pay unless you have a truly statospheric income, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it. The question is how much tuition payments will hurt for your parents. If they can pay without making substantial lifestyle changes and are happy to do it, go to your dream school. </p>
<p>I'd also ask your parents how going to UVa affects their willingness to chip in for grad school. If they are willing to pay the same amount for grad school regardless of where you go to college, go to Yale. If they would pay for all or part of grad school if you go to UVa and would contribute nothing to grad school if you go to Yale, then go to UVa. If they would contribute nothing to grad school regardless of which college you choose, go to Yale. </p>
<p>Yale and UVa have very different atmospheres, so you need to think about whether you'd fit in substantially better at one or the other. For instance, the Greek scene is much bigger at UVa and, as a matter of gross generalizations, UVa is more conservative (in ways that go beyond politics) and Yale is more liberal (in the same ways).</p>
<p>I love both schools and you can't make a bad choice, but I think you need to have a serious financial discussion with your parents and you need to consider if one campus atmosphere/attitude fits you markedly better than the other. </p>
<p>A couple notes: You can basically get into whatever classes you want at Yale, so the priority registration at UVa is not a big tip. You should investigate the programs abroad Yale offers--they are pretty spectacular and you can get a lot of financing for them (including financing for whatever you dream up that isn't a program already). Can't comment on other departments, but Yale's history department is arguably the best in the country. Not saying UVa isn't the way to go for you and not saying that UVa doesn't rock, but just want to give you info to make an educated decsion.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm just worried that the quality of the school and its departments (I plan to double major in some combination of history, anthropology, and foreign affairs) aren't as strong as Yale's
[/quote]
UVA is fantastic in history and anth with well-known professors like Malcolm</a> Bell. A disparity in academics is NOT an issue.</p>
<p>FWIW, Curmudgeon's D chose Rhodes and a scholarship over Yale last year and hasn't regretted it for a minute.</p>
<p>Parent here, not a student, but I thought I'd remind you how excited you were with your SCEA -- but how you said you were 98% sure you were accepting. What was that 2% doubt? What made you continue to apply after getting into your "dream" school? Yale was my son's first choice -- when he was accepted SCEA last December, he didn't apply anywhere else and immediately sent in his postcard. That's a clear choice. You didn't do that -- why? Maybe it isn't your first choice after all and maybe this UVA offer is more intriguing. Maybe being one of many is not as exciting as being a named scholar? Maybe you want to do what best for you, not what sounds like the obvious choice. Do be careful of people (no one here, of course) suggesting you take UVA just so there's an extra space at Yale during WL time! But visualize yourself at both places (visit both before May) and decide where you'll be happiest. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just for the record, in case anyone has ulterior motives in recommending UVA for this Yale admit: her decision will probably not open up on a spot on the waitlist, so don't try anything lol. Yale already factored that (people turning down acceptances) into its admissions equation, hence why it accepts more people than there is room for in the freshman class. In previous years only a tiny handful of people have been admitted off the waitlist. So Yale has got this down pretty well.</p>
<p>Go to UVA and save the money and use it for graduate school. Remember BA = Begin Again. Unless this is your end degree, think about what you want to do with you intended major. If you're at the top of your class at UVA you will get into the same caliber graduate programs as if you did your undergraduate at Yale. Ask UVA where their undergrads wind up and you will see I'm right. With your major being close to DC is also an advantage.</p>
<p>lol sorry about the mishap jegan3. I actually went to the weekend too (and got the jefferson as well) and thought you were somebody I had met there.</p>
<p>there is a big thread about the aforementioned curmudgeon's daughter on the parents forum, about picking the scholarship vs top school. definitely worth a read.</p>
<p>I know I'm a bit biased, but I would go w/ the Jefferson Scholarship. Surely, going to Yale would be cool, but as a Jeff Scholar and an Echols Scholar, ALL the doors (and then some) would be opened for you at UVA and with no cost to you and your parents. </p>
<p>You've visited UVA for Selections Weekend. You know why it's an amazingly fun school to spend 4 years.</p>
<p>Furthermore, if going to Yale is very important to you, all my Jeff Scholars friends who have gone on to grad school ended up attending the best. So, attending Yale or any other prestigious grad school program for Law, Business, Medicine, etc. is still a strong possibility. You would just be attending w/out having dropped $120K-160K for 4 years of undergrad and with an appellation that sets you apart from most other grad school applicants.</p>
<p>It seems like there is a general trend in this thread to muck up and belittle schools like Yale to make UVA seem grandiose.</p>
<p>At some point, there's a reason why the Yale, Harvard, Princeton, etc. of the world have the reputation they have.</p>
<p>They are *<strong><em>ing good. Really, *</em></strong>ing good.</p>
<p>The OP in this thread has to decide if going to really ****ing good justifies a 40k price tag a year over getting into UVA for free. I mean, in my case, I wouldn't have been able to afford Yale's full price and would have gone to a UT or Texas A&M.</p>
<p>That said, don't belittle us wonderful elitist colleges :)</p>