Hi everybody,
Happy Easter for those who celebrated Easter last weekend.
We visited GT last week and nobody was impressed.
I think my D prefers a college town vs an urban town. She didn’t like the school vibe, majority of activities are in campus and the campus is small comparing to Purdue or UVA or VT.
She didn’t hate it and agreed prices will decide - which made me hope Purdue, with the $16k merit, will take the lead. Also last week we received the financial offer from GT - it is okish - she received $8k aid and $3,500 work study.
Then - last Thursday - Out of the Blue - she got accepted, in regular admission, to UPenn and Cornell … both of them sent the financial package with the acceptance and the offer is AMAIZING. The difference between the two, price wise, is just $100, and both of them are cheaper than Rutgers, our in-state university. We are so overwhelmed, it is like a dream …
Nobody, absolutely nobody counted on these acceptances and of course on these prices -
What is going on ? Believe me - yes, she is a good student, she graduates 4th in her class out of 500 students, she has a good SAT, she has meaningful EC - but she didn’t apply to ED because we wee scared about the prices, we are not rich by any means, we have no legacy, we have no connections, we are nobody, absolutely nobody. If my D was able to score two Ivy’s being nobody, then there is a chance for anybody, absolutely anybody.
I say this because this is a change in my thinking - My S didn’t apply last year to any Ivy, as we thought is a waste of time and money, and now I think it was a mistake.
For anybody with coming seniors - do not get intimidated by the reputation or prices - if your kid has the credentials for an Ivy, just apply and forget about it - you never know.
Now - about our plans - there is no reason for her to reject one of these two offers:
- both are driving distance
- both gave us the same price
- both have a high reputation
We enrolled to the admitted students events for both of them - however I see my D is leaning towards Cornell. And Cornell has also Biological Engineering (whatever that means).
I cannot believe we are now comparing and being picky between two Ivy’s 
- looks like UPenn campus is urban and also not quite safe, housing a bit old and people say on social media that Wharton School is kept in high regard while all the other schools are kind of tolerated …again, this is what I read online on several sites, not sure if this is true.
At this moment - the final choice will be between the two so any opinions about the two will be highly appreciated.