So it's been almost a week since I got the call from Columbia informing me of my acceptance. I'm still pretty thrilled. Even if I end up not being able to go there (pretty much entirely for economic reasons) I will have a great sense of pride at being accepted.
However, I am trying to be reasonable about the economic issues at hand and what opportunity costs of attending another institution will bring. I have not received the financial aid letter from Columbia yet so that limits my planning somewhat, but I do know that tuition, fees, and living expenses at Columbia is about $55k/year. Not a small number. Where as all in expenses at the University of CA system are only about $25k/year.
Berkeley and Columbia are about on par with each other in terms of academics, though Columbia is ranked higher. However, Davis and Santa Barbara are not ranked as high. The question that I'm fielding from alot of people is, if I had to choose between Columbia and Davis, would saving $60k in student loans be worth it? I would have to say most likely not.
My plan at attending Harvard is going to weigh heavily on these next two years. And while they do say they do not place a huge amount of emphasis on the undergraduate school you attended, I'd be hard pressed to believe a Columbia degree would hurt me.
Either way, I have not received financial aid info from Columbia nor have I received decisions from any other school. I am just running over all the scenarios in my head trying to come up with atleast some beginnings of a plan...
Eight more weeks.
However, I am trying to be reasonable about the economic issues at hand and what opportunity costs of attending another institution will bring. I have not received the financial aid letter from Columbia yet so that limits my planning somewhat, but I do know that tuition, fees, and living expenses at Columbia is about $55k/year. Not a small number. Where as all in expenses at the University of CA system are only about $25k/year.
Berkeley and Columbia are about on par with each other in terms of academics, though Columbia is ranked higher. However, Davis and Santa Barbara are not ranked as high. The question that I'm fielding from alot of people is, if I had to choose between Columbia and Davis, would saving $60k in student loans be worth it? I would have to say most likely not.
My plan at attending Harvard is going to weigh heavily on these next two years. And while they do say they do not place a huge amount of emphasis on the undergraduate school you attended, I'd be hard pressed to believe a Columbia degree would hurt me.
Either way, I have not received financial aid info from Columbia nor have I received decisions from any other school. I am just running over all the scenarios in my head trying to come up with atleast some beginnings of a plan...
Eight more weeks.
Excellent post and must say it got my attention. I was browsing online and saw your website and am glad i found it. I know my comment might look not real but i'm a real and thanks for the post.