<p>Sorry about the length of this post, but I am in a major dilemma. I’m using this as a way to organize my thoughts about the process too. Ok, so here’s my dilemma:</p>
<p>I was accepted to 3 schools, rejected from 3, and waitlisted at 4, including UChicago. </p>
<p>I have decided to enroll in the UGA Honors program–with the HOPE scholarship and the charter scholarship, the total annual cost will be around $5,000. My parents are also offering to buy me a new car, which would make my life a lot easier since I need a car to drive to my job in the North Carolina mountains (we weren’t quite sure what we would do if I decided to go somewhere else).</p>
<p>The only wait list spot that I accepted was that from UChicago since it’s the only one that I decided that I had any real interest in. I’ve been debating about staying on the wait list though for the following reasons:</p>
<p>-Money–based on financial aid that I received from other schools, I’ll probably have to take on about $35,000 in debt, and my parents would probably be taking about $65,000…if I went to UGA, I would graduate debt free and could save the money for grad school, and the $5,000/year is affordable for my parents.</p>
<p>-Weather–I know that most people say to not make a decision based on weather, but quite frankly, I’m from the south and I’ve never experienced a Chicago winter…</p>
<p>-On the off chance that I do get accepted, I would have to make a decision and possibly visit the university during the middle of IB exams, which would only add more stress to my life</p>
<p>-I feel like the reason why I’ve even been on the wait list is a matter of pride…before admissions came out, Chicago was maybe my number 4 or 5 choice…if it had been my top choice, I would definitely stay on, but I feel as though I’m staying on because I just want to prove to myself that I could get in and that if I went there, it wouldn’t be a matter of purely liking the school but more just a matter of going to the more prestigious school</p>
<p>-Based on the last point, I feel as though it would be selfish for </p>
<p>-UGA Honors is a really good school–they send people to top graduate programs and it was the only university to have 2 Rhodes Scholars. At UGA, I would start off at the top of the class just by being in the Honors Program, and I feel as though I could make more of a name for myself at UGA. At University of Chicago, I would be overshadowed by everyone. I would also be able to exempt almost all of my freshman year with predicted IB test scores…at UChicago, I would have to abide by the core curriculum (math…blech). I could probably also try out pre-med more easily at UGA because I’ll probably be in a little bit weaker pull of people (although the students in the HP are incredibly smart–many people choose it just because of the cost factor. I even know someone in the program who won an international science award in high school).</p>
<p>-What I really like about University of Chicago is their “life of the mind ideology”–I feel that what has really benefited me the most about the IB program was how it helped me develop my critical thinking ability. I also like the nerd culture there. I’m not sure if I would find as much of this at UGA. UChi would also offer better networking across the country, whereas UGA would probably only provide good networking for Georgia. But other than those, I feel like the only reason why I’m staying on the waitlist is because of my pride.</p>
<p>-I would have more fun at UGA in all likelihood.</p>
<p>-On the off-chance that I am accepted off the wait list and I choose not to go there, I would only be delaying the decision for someone who may be really passionate about the school (i.e. someone who’s first choice was Chicago).</p>
<p>-I would have a hard time getting a summer job with the quarter system and my breaks would not coincide with those of my old friends.</p>
<p>-At UGA, I’ll be in good company (about 6 or 8 people from my high school will be there). On the flip side, I won’t be able to branch out as much since most people at UGA are from Georgia.</p>
<p>-College is what you make of it.</p>
<p>-The likelihood of getting in off the wait list is miniscule and the anticipation/stress of waiting even longer could ruin the last month in my senior year, and the disappointment of being flat out rejected could upset me even more. Moreover, it’s quite possible that they won’t be able to admit anyone, and I would just be wasting time by sending extra stuff and anxiously waiting.</p>
<p>-I would also need to rush my “continued interest” letter and additional recommendation to the school.</p>
<p>Would anyone like to offer any sound advice? I feel as though I am currently unable to do so. Advice from people who have been in similar positions or who attend either UGA Honors or UChicago. </p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>
</p>