<p>Crono, those are all very different campus experiences. Where do you feel most at home? Eg. I realize NYU is not as strong, but for a person who loves urban life, what a fabulous location. But NOT the “college town” feel at all…</p>
<p>My point has nothing to do with academic rank. However, if I were your grandmother who left you the nice nest egg, I would want you to use it to be happy. I would also have hoped like the dickens it would mean a debt free undergrad experience. However, in today’s college cost climate, that is not the case unless you are instate at Mich. GW and NYU are privates, meaning tuition is about 30k more.</p>
<p>Since your parents are unfortunately moving and splitting up, I would seriously consider attending Michigan undergrad for the following reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Right now I believe you have in-state residency. Keep it. It is worth a differential of apx. $22/k a year I believe. Trust that you will be happier without debt.</li>
<li>Treat yourself to a “free” undergrad experience at a top ranked, big 10 U. with a grad school reward of being competitive for NYU grad or GW (if grad program is avail/suits - don’t know your major well at those schools). That way, you experience both types of campus/environments. It is a better investment to consider debt for graduate studies rather than rack it up undergrad. Your strengths will have fully emerged; you may earn most of your way as a GSI; you’ll be really confident in your direction and undoubtedly well prepared from a higher ranked program. Other schools know that Mich does not inflate its undergrad gpas, so don’t worry about that.</li>
</ol>
<p>Truthfully, even though your parents are moving, you will not really feel it that much as you’ll be very busy during semester, breaks are short (and I predict you’ll spend most of them sleeping or studying) and their homes will not quite feel like home to you anyway. You will likely still have a better social support system here than in their new locations. It’s still easy to feel close by phone, skype, text, email etc.</p>
<p>And re: the girl…never regret those folks who turn up in your life just to cause you to take a path. I swear sometimes that’s really the case ; )</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision.
PS Are you aware that NYU is notoriously stingy with merit and fin aid? I am including that fact in my advice, just so you know.</p>