<p>UMD Benefits:
*Ranked typically 20th for engineering schools compared to GWU’s 77th
*Large athletic program (I won’t be competing as I am too old, but to witness games)
*20 minute train ride from DC (okay compared to GWU being situated right in DC)
*Top job recruiter school
*slightly lower cost of living</p>
<p>GWU Benefits:
*Cheaper (You heard me correct. GWU is a Yellow Ribbon School while UMD would be out-of-state tuition for at least my first year; ~$10,000 more for tuition to attend UMD)
*Smaller class sizes
*Ranked high for veterans
*New Science and Engineering Hall (expected completion in 2014) could influence standings as research/engineering school
*More recognized name / private school</p>
<p>Regardless of the school, I plan to work/intern in DC using the top secret clearance I already have. I also plan to commute to WV once a month to serve the National Guard there; this means either owning a vehicle or using public transportation/renting a vehicle only when I need it.</p>
<p>As you can see, that engineering program ranking is the big influence. Am I putting too much thought into it?</p>
<p>What are your suggestions or additional inputs I may not have factored?</p>
<p>Have you already been admitted to both, and need to make a choice now? If not, apply to both and if you are admitted to both, make a decision then.</p>
<p>While you are at it, put any the other DC area engineering programs (UM-BC should probably also be on your list, lots of security clearance jobs in the Baltimore area too) on your application list as well, and toss in places in WV that would cut down the commuting time to your national guard duties.</p>
<p>What you should do is contact the University of Maryland and see if you can be considered an in-state student given your veteran status and your Post 9/11 GI Bill. Some universities do this for veterans. If not, make sure you clearly ask whether your status will be different next year. Typically, students that begin as out-of-state remain that way until they graduate, unless their families move into the state. However, since you are an independent student the rules are different. Also, UMD has scholarships for veterans ([OSFA</a> - Veterans Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/scholarships/veterans.cfm]OSFA”>http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/scholarships/veterans.cfm)).</p>
<p>To me, it would depend on the answer to the above questions. If you can be counted as a resident, then it won’t matter as the GI Bill will cover. If you are going to be OOS for the first year but in-state for years 2-4, then that’s a $20,000 loan you’ll have to borrow (the difference between in-state and OOS) unless the school covers it with a scholarship. (You may also be eligible for Pell, SEOG, and other state grants though; check and see. My husband gets a $5,000 Pell and $1200 SEOG, and that can cut down the cost some.) You have to decide whether that’s worth it for you. If you will be OOS the entire four years, I wouldn’t even consider it.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would attend GWU were I in your position. It’s a great school, and what’s most important in engineering is ABET accreditation. With your military service, top secret clearance and an engineering degree you should be able to get a job. Don’t underestimate the importance of veterans support, either (GWU being ranked higher). My husband is a veteran on the GI Bill/Yellow Ribbon at Columbia, a school with great veterans’ support. The financial aid office fights with the VA for him, finds extra money for him when he needs it, and has special classes and seminars for veterans to help them adjust to life as a full-time student off active duty.</p>
<p>If you had YR at GWU, that pays for tuition for full-time status. Also note that GWU has reallocated their YR funding so that you can get tuition benefits during the summer. That’s important because if you remain enrolled during the summer, you can continue to get your MHA during the summer (the 9/11 GI Bill was amended in 2011, so you don’t get break-time pay unless you are still enrolled in school.)</p>
<p>You don’t have to own a car; there’s Zipcar in DC and you can just rent a Zipcar once a month when you need it. That will cheaper than owning your own and paying for parking in DC.</p>
<p>@happymomof1
“Have you already been admitted to both, and need to make a choice now? If not, apply to both and if you are admitted to both, make a decision then.”</p>
<p>I have already been admitted to both. I was admitted to Rutgers and UMD weeks ago. I hadn’t heard back from my other colleges so I went with UMD (even though Rutgers was a Yellow Ribbon school). I have even enrolled in UMD. Then yesterday, I finally got notification from GWU. It won’t cost me anything if I pull out of UMD since they deferred my confirmation anyways. Besides, $400 = $8,000? Not at all!</p>
<p>@juillet
Great response and I greatly appreciate it. From my understanding, I can apply for in-state tuition after I adequately prove my residency with the state (taxes, registration, license, etc.). You said one thing I was a bit confused by though:
"then that’s a $20,000 loan you’ll have to borrow (the difference between in-state and OOS) "</p>
<p>If I misinterpreted how out-of-state tuition works with the GI bill, my decision may be easier than I expected. </p>
<p>I thought UMD would be paid the highest in-state amount for the state/nation and then I would have to cover the rest (similar to a private school). If the GI Bill is only paying UMD’s specific in-state amount (~8,000) and I have to cover the rest, that drastically impacts my decision.</p>
<p>They changed the rules recently - it USED to be the highest in-state cost in the state. Now it is simply tuition and fees for an in-state student. See here:</p>
<p>Tomorrow I am calling GWU to verify they still have open slots for undergraduate yellow ribbon students.</p>
<p>I am then also going to call Colorado State University. I just found out they they offer completely free admission to veterans (both resident and non-resident). This potentially means I could get a free undergraduate in mechanical engineering and then use my GI Bill for graduate work. The only hesitation? CSU doesn’t compare to any of the undergraduate schools I have already been accepted to. Is it worth trying to apply late and potentially losing my other offers? I’m learning I am too indecisive…</p>
<p>Call CSU and find out if they still have room for the fall, how long it would take to get the paperwork taken care of, and any other questions you have. GWU won’t expect a YES/NO from you tomorrow morning, and you are currently committed at UMD-CP. You have time to sort it all out.</p>
<p>GWU- Although there is a limit on the Yellow Ribbon Program, it is because they are mandated to set one. However, if a student attends that is eligible, that student will receive YRP benefits.</p>
<p>UMD- If you are a non-resident, the GI Bill will only pay UMD’s in-state amount leaving you with a $20,000 difference.</p>
<p>CSU- The articles I read regarding CSU were poorly worded. They have relaxed residency, but are a typical Yellow Ribbon School. No free tuition.</p>
<p>“In announcing CSU’s 100 percent contribution, university president Tony Frank said the school is “committed to ensuring CSU remains a top military-friendly university.”
That commitment means CSU will pay 100 percent of resident and nonresident undergraduate tuition, all university fees, a $4,300 housing allowance each semester and $1,000 a year toward books. The offer does not include graduate-school tuition.” </p>
<p>What it means to say is… Colorado State University AND the VA cover the cost 100%</p>
<p>Maryland has the best engineering especially for EE (ranked 14th ) or aerospace (ranked 10th). Humanities and social sciences will be a lot better at GW compared to UMCP. It doesn’t make sense to go to Maryland unless you have state residency. GW has operated out of old buildings on G Street for years. It’s unlikely a new engineering building will do much to improve GW’s programs. Is there a way to go to CC in Maryland and get state residency before starting at UMCP?</p>
<p>If the GI bill pays for private GW and not for Maryland OOS, then it wastes taxpayers’ money.</p>