<p>CMU doesn’t consider state schools as peer institutions- that said, it’s worth a shot. As per the instructions on the FB admissions page, call CMU and they will send you the forms to request a financial aid reeval.</p>
<p>Is the UIUC offer for four years- ?? Is it a merit offer or a financial offer? It will change. You should ask on the UIUC threads what are the subsequent year packages going to look like? At CMU - they change-- sometimes dramatically one way or the other. CMU makes no promises to meet unmet need - -does UIUC?</p>
<p>To me, this seems like a no-brainer, UIUC is an OUTSTANDING institution, especially for STEM fields, CS included. There is little difference between # 1 and # 4 as far as resume punch, recruiting opportunities, research opportunities etc. UIUC has thrown tons of money into their science and engineering campus facilities - D visited, but realized as an out-of-state resident, there was no hope for any kind of aid, so didn’t bother applying. This is in contrast to Michigan and Penn which are also strong and do give $$ to outof state residents.</p>
<p>If money isn’t a concern to your family- then you really have to ask yourself whether you prefer a medium-sized school in a NE city or a large state school in the middle of a small town in the Midwest. One is a division 1 sport school which is as far away from the CMU quirky techie-artsy types you’ll meet at CMU. The education is great in both places-- where do you feel you would enjoy your next four years more?</p>
<p>If money matters or even if it doesn’t, if UIUC puts that kind of money in front of you- this is an easy choice- -UIUC hands down.
(OMG, did I just pick another school over Carnegie - yikes, don’t tell anyone I said that).</p>
<p>Now if we were talking about schools just a few rungs lower in the rankings, I wouldn’t have the same advice. Money when you compare apples to oranges is less clear. But here - I think it’s apples to apples… # 4 vs. # 1 (where 3 schools are tied for # 1) is basically the same deal educationally-- IMHO. I’m sure others will disagree.</p>
<p>Wow- -what a nice choice to have-- Congrats!</p>