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Do you think it would be wiser for me to go to a college that I pretty much liked for a free tuition scholarship, or go to a college that I really really loved, it's rated better academically, but I only got half tuition for it and would still have to pay about 60,000 total.

Should I go to the one I really really loved w/ better academics and still have to take out loans and pay so much money, or just stick with the one that i did find alright because they offered me a full ride?

If money was not an option, and let's say, I had free rides to both, I would definetly pick to one only offering me 1/2 tuition now, but that is not my case. Please give me your opinion and what you would do in my situation. Thanks!

By tellus on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 09:09 pm: Edit

Ok... which schools are you talking about? What are you going to study? That would help us answer your question. (A lot of less-reputable schools are very strong and reputable in certain areas. UVM law school, for example, has the number 1 environmental law program in the nation-better than harvard. So maybe the academically worse school isn't as bad, or maybe it's terrible.)

By Lauren on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 04:55 pm: Edit

well, I plan to major in biology and the school which is offering me a free scholarship is Ramapo College, in NJ where I live. The college that I really really loved was Muhlenberg in Pennsylvania, but I would have to take out a large loan to attent there because it is very expensive.

By music toad on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 06:24 pm: Edit

are you planning on grad school? I would guess you are with a biology degree. I have a relative that took a 4yr free ride at a southern university when the relative really had the brights to go to an Ivy. Little to none financial aid was offered by any of the "prestige" schools. Fast forward to grad school--no debt exists, admitted to Ivy Grad, obtained a grant.
I would argue that the debt has to be mathematically looked at, very coldly. The job offers will be the same with either degree.
You will be happy at either school despite what you are currently experiencing.

By Scope on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 04:42 pm: Edit

!/2 Tuition at Muhlenberg is about $12000?/year.
Full tuition at Ramapo is $6000? Muhlenberg is about$31,000 a year, did you get a $16,000 per year grant? ( or are you not including room and board) I'm just curious because the $60,000 difference mwans you would have to pay 15,000 a year.Muhlenberg is much more expensive, but it is a great school. There are other good pre-med schools that offer a lot of merit money. U. Scranton, has full tuition for merit in high 1300s. (what's ur GPA and SATs?) Also, did you call Muhlenberg and ask them if they would increase your offer?

By lauren on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 05:19 pm: Edit

well, i rounded that I will have to pay about 60,000 total if I go to Muhlenberg, but it will actually be more--I talked to the admissions counselor and told her about the full ride to ramapo but she said i could at the most get the highest scholarship they give out which is 12,000 a year I believe (well, close to half-tuition) I am 4/390 (class rank) my gpa is 98.7 but my sats are only 1260.
I did apply to scranton but they only offered me 10,000 a year and it is almost 30,000 a year there now. I loved both of these schools and everything but I have been told by many people to just go to Ramapo since they gave me the full scholarship. But still I am having a hard time deciding.