Your Top Choice(s) vs. A Full Ride Somewhere Else????

Applying to College
1

<p>I know there are a lot of people in this situation. But I am writing this because I think that people need to keep some things in perspective. </p>

<p>1) Congratulations! getting a full ride is an accomplishment no matter what institution it is. </p>

<p>2) Keep in mind many people would love to be in your position. </p>

<p>3) Financial Aid (if this is an issue for you) is important. 25K in debt times four years is 100K and that is a tremendous amount of debt. </p>

<p>4) You have to think about peripheral costs. A full ride covers school and housing, but think about books, transportation, if you get sick, money to spend on traveling to and from home especially if you go to a school far from home and PIZZA MONEY!!!! </p>

<p>5) You might have received a full ride to a "safety" or "local" university, and that might not be your first choice BUT you were the university's first choice.<br>
That is huge. That means you are wanted above most of the students they admitted. I think there is something to be said for such an honor.</p>

<p>Obviously I realize this post is leaning towards people taking the "full ride" over a top choice and admittedly it is a bit biased in that way. But most of all I want everyone to make conscious decisions about their options and not be dismissive of a university making you a top choice. </p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

2

<p>Great post. And of course it's even better if the money is offered by maybe not your top choice, but a reach nevertheless. ;)</p>

<p>It's hard for me to believe that all the students accepted to less preferred schools on their list are from extremely wealthy families. And if they're not, and if a "top" school is so important to them, and they had the ambition for that, surely these students see grad school or professional school in their futures. Students, you don't think that will cost, too? How much debt are you o.k. with, in a currently shaky economy, trade deficit, and no clear recovery date on the horizon?</p>