<p>@Nikara: Thanks for the link. One question though - are those only available to people with majors in the college of letters, arts and sciences? Thanks for the info about RAs too, didn’t know that. And yes, I plan on getting an on campus job wherever I decide to attend.</p>
<p>@mdcissp: I won’t need to take out over 100k in loans, for sure. If I did, I agree with you, that’s definitely not worth it. I’ve got airfares covered as well (parent is a former airline employee) so my extra costs are already considerably lower than most people in this sense. Staying in Canada isn’t really something I’m considering heavily (decisions don’t even come out till mid-May so either way I have to commit somewhere first) for numerous reasons despite the huge difference in cost. Competition for architecture here is fierce as there are only a handful of them available coupled with the Canadian application system where they (95% of the time) only look at your grades and have distinct cut off marks for you to even be considered for a spot. Couple that with a relocation from halfway around the world that’s left me below or just barely at the cut offs, and I don’t really stand a chance at any architecture programs up here. That’s just my reasoning and I hope you (and others) understand where I’m coming from. </p>
<p>@alamemom: Yes I do, but the school (Illinois Tech) and its program don’t appeal to me as much. This is in terms of like academics and the overall college experience; I think USC wins hands down in both cases. It also shuts a couple doors in my future, so I’m pretty torn in this decision…I was also waitlisted to Rice so I’m wishing and praying that I miraculously make it off the waitlist there as that would be my first choice.</p>