<p>So I’ve done some thinking, and I’m going to still consider UW. My dad and mom have completely different views on this issue–my dad keeps saying that Wesleyan is a superior school, and that the finances “will work them self out.” It looks like we can pay for the school, but I would still be taking on $3,500 in subsidized loans every year, and it would take all of our resources that we have saved for college. I’m worried that I won’t have money left for grad school, but my dad keeps telling me that if I do well at a great school like Wesleyan, I will be able to get into a good grad school with a big scholarship. </p>
<p>My mom says that undergraduate school is worth going into debt over, and that UW and Hendrix are both great schools. She wants me to have resources left over for grad school and for summer & spring vacations and activities.</p>
<p>My personal thoughts for each school:</p>
<p>Wesleyan: Top notch liberal arts school with amazing opportunities. I visited this past weekend & really fell in love with it. The students were all extremely nice, open, intelligent, and just fun to hang out with. The econ department is one of the best in the country, and the CSS is really appealing. It is extremely expensive, and I don’t know if an undergraduate degree is worth the money. $38,000/year with loans, $41,500/year without.</p>
<p>UW: Big state school a mile and a half away from my house. Great academics, but large intro classes taught by TAs. It seems like there are a lot of partiers, a lot of studiers, but not a lot of moderation (could be wrong, it’s just an observation from having lived in Madison for a long time. Not a big issue though). I can get into a good grad school coming out, but it will be hard to stand out in the large crowd. $22,000/year.</p>
<p>Hendrix: Small and up and coming school in Arkansas. Not as well known and very high acceptance rate. Academics seem pretty good, but there are not as many econ classes as I would like. They do get their students into grad schools though, but it seems like only one or two a year go to top notch grad schools. It’s the cheapest of the schools at about $11,000 a year with loans, or $14,500 without. </p>
<p>Other thoughts?</p>