<p>My D is having a very hard time deciding on a school. She likes all three for different reasons. Hopkins (mostly reputation, more well known, closer to home) Villanova (loves community service emphasis, atmosphere, sense of community and school spirit, no TAs teaching classes, safe area) American (easy to double major, less core requirements, no TAs teaching classes, great area) Would greatly appreciate any any ideas about these choices!</p>
<p>Depends on the major</p>
<p>JHU - sciences or math
American - IR or polisci or econ
Villanova - business or econ or engineering or CS</p>
<p>How are the financials for her? If one is cheaper, what could she use that money for?</p>
<p>JHU is significantly better academically, more selective, and more well known than either american or villanova. She’ll likely have an easier time doing what she wants after graduating form Hopkins than from the other schools. Unless she’s fixated on being a business major, i’d refer her to Hopkins.</p>
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<p>JHU has top programs in IR, PoliSci, and econ. CS and Engineering are also strong. Business has historically not been JHU’s strong point but it has been improving rather quickly.</p>
<p>D recieved the most money from Villanova -18,500 in merit and FA., 15K merit from AU and only about 8K FA from Hopkins. (Hopkins is also more expensive than the others so this will be most difficult for us to pay ) She wants to major in math or statistics with a minor in economics.</p>
<p>none of us are in a position to tell you whether Hopkins is worth it financially or not as we don’t know how going to Hopkins will affect your family situation exactly. This is something that you have to consider. If it seriously will impact your quality of life to send your daughter to Hopkins however, I would attend Villanova instead. There’s always grad school.</p>
<p>dont go to american</p>
<p>Look up JHU’s Applied Math department, since that seems to be what fits. A double major in Applied Math and Econ is definitely possible. I don’t know if its worth 42k / year though. </p>
<p>American at 35k and Villanova at 30k are also pretty pricey for what they are. Do you have any other options? Did you apply to UMCP?</p>
<p>How much of the aid packages is grants, and how much is loans? You might find it helpful to try running the numbers and some non-financial factors through this: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Advanced Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid)</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I did not include any loans in the amounts stated but she will take out the low interest loans also (5,500 per year I think). Size of school was very important to her. She did not apply to UMCP because it is too big. We are going back to visit Villanova and American this week and also she is doing the sleepover at Hopkins.</p>
<p>I think that applied math at American or Villanova for 30k+ per year is not a good deal, when you could get a much better program at UMCP for <20k per year. I think that JHU is strong enough to justify a cost of around 30k, but I don’t think it’s strong enough to justify 40+k. </p>
<p>Perhaps try telling JHU that you need more FA to go.</p>
<p>No direct experience of course, but my son is a freshman math major at Villanova and chose the school for all of the reason you listed above. He is having a great experience. My impression is that even with the core curriculum, minors are encouraged (not sure about double majors). I understand that their econ program is very strong and there is a masters program in applied math that only takes an additional year (so a BS and MS in five years). Good Luck with your re-visits!</p>
<p>These three schools are quite different–not really comparable.</p>
<p>Hopkins is a top rated research university–both in the US and internationally. It is #1 in the US in research funding. While perhaps most famous for its programs in medicine, biological sciences, physics, public health, international studies, biomedical engineering, music and nursing–it has top rated programs thoughout the science, social sciences and humanities. It is a purely secular institution with no religious affiliation.</p>
<p>American is a middle range research university with a few strong programs–most notably in international studies and politics. Its biggest draw is its DC location. Most of its other programs are ok–but nothing special. It is pretty weak in the sciences. It is associated with the Methodist Church but, other than the fact that the campus is a dry one–that affiliation is hardly noticable.</p>
<p>Villanova is not a research university but a regional, master’s level university which focuses upon undergraduate education. Its academics are fine at the undergraduate level–but it is not particularly known for anything other than perhaps basketball.</p>
<p>There are reasons, such as finances, location and religion, that might lead someone to prefer one of these schools over the others. But they are not really comparable.</p>
<p>if your daughter is serious about math or math-related majors, I’d push hard for Hopkins despite the debt. The level of debt your family/your daughter are comfortable with, however, is strictly personal.</p>
<p>Rationale:
-JH math program can’t be beat. she will be challenged by her peers and in the classroom. If she wants to do something quantitative (or even consulting) after college, the Hopkins brand goes a LONG way for those that major in the quants/sciences. The companies that recruit from Hopkins are a level above Villanova or American. NOt to say wouldn’t have a shot at either of those school–just that she’d have to work a lot harder to get to a top company.</p>
<p>On the flip side, your daughter will likely find the math majors to me a much smaller group at Villanova. If she’s considering a double major, or perhaps if she’s interested in teaching match post-college, then I’d suggest going to the school from which she’d rack up less debt.</p>
<p>Do sports/quality of life/party scene make a difference? I think she’ll have more “fun” at Villanova, though that’s not saying she’ll be bored and lonely at JHU.</p>