<p>I’ve narrowed my college search down to two schools, UChicago and Case Western Reserve. I got a very large merit scholarship to case plus some grant money. If I go there I will have little to no loans after jundergrad. UChicago offered some need based aid but I would likely have ~25k in student loans. I am visiting both again before may 1(the other visits were during breaks so I didn’t sit in on classes, stay in a dorm etc.). My question is: is it worth the extra money to attend chicago, which has a fantastic reputation for excellent teaching, an incredible alumni network and worldwide name recognition? Or is case western, which is a great school as well, the better option because it is more financially feasible?</p>
<p>Thoughts???</p>
<p>In my opinion, you are about where a student should be in loans for a financial reach school. That means staying on a strict budget so that you don’t go over. However, if that’s what you prefer between the two schools, go for it. If you find that you can’t make up your mind, then save yourself $25K. Why spend it if you aren’t sure you want it? It’s too much for ambivalence, but the right amount for a preference.</p>
<p>If you are only looking at 25K total in student loans for 4 years - by all means go to one of the top schools in the nation.</p>
<p>I totally agree with cpt on this one. Only you can make the decision. If you are totally head over heels and determined to go to Chicago then spare yourself from paying back loans for year after year after year…assuming you are talking about the maximum Stafford for 4 years the interest on any unsubsidized will push that $25,000 up and up. If you are head over heels in love with Chicago then do know that many, many kids do not have a financial aid package that allows them to skip most of the Staffords so you are not alone. You are in college for 4 years…the loans will be around much longer.</p>
<p>That would also depend on what it is you will be studying, if you will be continuing education beyond undergrad, and also earnings potential after your final year of education. If you are going to be traveling back and forth to Oregon, You might not want to take the loans.</p>
<p>What will you be studying?
Grad school after?</p>
<p>I would only do it, if there is a guaranteed job on the Wall Street after getting a Chicago BS degree.</p>