| Nobody can tell you that Duke or Emory is clearly better for you in your situation. It's obvious that you prefer Duke, but it's not like Emory is chopped liver either. Is the $140k difference for Duke worth it? I have no idea. You need to talk to your parents about it and come up with a financial plan. Your pre-med interests might change in college as well. This is the classic college dilemma, and a full-ride to Emory is a pretty great deal. You just have to ask yourself if you'd constantly regret your decision to attend Emory; I'd imagine, once you are there, you wouldn't. But only you can really sense how you feel about the universities. Balance those feelings with your parent's financial situation and choose a college without looking back. And enjoy it when you're there. You really can't go wrong with either choice. It seems like deep down you want to go to Duke, but can't justify the additional cost. There's nobody that can provide a logical well-thought out argument as to why Duke is worth $140k more than Emory (the graduate incomes are not that different, I imagine), but if it will make your college experience more enjoyable and you feel like you would be happier at Duke, perhaps it is worth it. But only you can make that assessment. Where you go to college can definitely have a significant impact on the rest of your life. But also having an additional $140k for education without taking out loans can have a significant impact as well. Good luck! |