MIT or UMD full ride? Chemical Engineering intended major

[shuttlebus]

@collegeqs02;d-2182517

Cost:
MIT: $80,000 ish w/ aid, if I get scholarships I can knock off about 20,000 across 4 years, and If/when I work I can help pay more too.
UMD: like nothing

I don’t know anything about UMD, but you will have amazing opportunities for summer internships at MIT that will help you pay for your college education.

@collegeqs02;d-2182517

Concerns:
MIT: reading people saying that being at the top of your class matters tons more than “prestige” or name (I don’t want to go to MIT just for “prestige”, I’ve genuinely looked into what they offer and their programs and such and I like the school a lot.) Not that I couldn’t do really well at MIT, but college is a transition and I don’t really know how it’s going to be.
UMD: regretting not going to MIT lol

MIT does not rank its students. MIT also helps the transition to college by having the first semester graded as P/F.

For what its worth, my son had a similar situation to yours and chose MIT. He had an amazing 4 years and never regretted his decision. He and his friends will tell you that MIT definitely opens doors.

Good luck!