<p>My daughter was offered a free ride at the University of Rochester, and just $5,000 in aid at Swarthmore. Swarthmore has the better reputation but would require taking out loans. What would you do?</p>
<p>Depends on your finances. If Swat offered so little, you clearly have strong earnings/assets. Swat would be worth it if this is parent loans and you can afford it.</p>
<p>Where would she rather go? If she is into music you can’t beat Eastman. Rochester has no required curriculum which would be a plus to many students.</p>
<p>A full ride is nothing to sneeze at and neither is Rochester go there.</p>
<p>Unless you can point to something specific that she will gain at Swarthmore or have $200,000 just sitting around to spend on college, I think it would be hard to turn down University of Rochester. Which would she/you rather have when she graduates, the Swarthmore reputation or money for grad school, a house, a business start-up, etc?</p>
<p>And before you ponder that, do realize that University of Rochester has a great reputation and I can’t perceive any reason why Swarthmore would give her any substantial advantage as far as jobs and graduate school goes.</p>