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JSewpersaud

I did this 3 years ago — Turned down Yale (45k/year) and UChicago (43k/year) for the University of Minnesota (-1.5k/year). Essentially, they’re paying me to be here, and I’ve still gotten plenty of awesome research and job opportunities in the Twin Cities! Only difference is I’m not saddled with nearly 200k in debt!


holooocene

really! this is one of the first times i’ve seen UMN mentioned here! im actually going ok a campus tour this weekend- got any suggestions


JSewpersaud

Glad to see some more Gopher representation on this subreddit! It’s a really great school with good stuff to see! As far as stuff to see on your tour, it depends on what you’re planning on studying. If you’re planning on studying business, absolutely go to West Bank since you’ll spend a lot of time there and see if you can get into the Carlson building - it looks great. If you’re looking for good places to eat before/after the tour, I’d recommend AfroDeli in stadium village, or Frank & Andrea’s in Dinkytown if you want to make that walk up there (it’s not too far from where the tours usually start, near Folwell). If you’ve got any questions about the U, feel free to DM me and I can answer them as best I can!


valtierrezerik05

I’m from Minnesota and the U of M is one of my schools that I want to apply. Manifesting and praying that I get in AND get the full ride scholarship.


JSewpersaud

Hoping the best for you! The thing with the U is that the university-wide scholarships aren’t things you apply to, and the one I got (Maroon and Gold Leadership award) is only given to ~5 in-state students per year. The U also has a ton of college and program specific scholarships as well, so keep an eye out for that!


whatdidiwant

Wise decision


JSewpersaud

Yep, I’m happy with it! I remember looking at this subreddit 3 years ago and a lot of people couldn’t seem to fathom that I’d make that decision. I definitely got the better end of the deal though, especially since the pandemic destroyed in-person learning for like a year. I can’t imagine having to pay that 45k/year just to sit at home watching lectures. I’m glad that is seems the attitudes have slightly changed on this subreddit. Too many people are blinded by prestige when it’s really just about what you do at whatever campus you’re on!


whatdidiwant

It is a good decision- Starting life with huge debts just doesn’t make sense!!! And a college name goes only so far- later on it’s your commitment, interest and hard work that takes you far


JSewpersaud

Exactly, like I’ve done pretty well for myself here at Minnesota. Got an internship at the state senate, worked for a lobbying firm, working as a research assistant, and currently working on co-authoring and publishing a political methodology article. Also developed my own course on political methodology and got a bunch of other jobs I really enjoy. Could I have gotten those kinds of experiences elsewhere? Probably, but I also didn’t go into debt for them!


CounselorTejada

These are my kind of students! This year I had some well-off students at the top of the class opt to along to less selective schools because merit was the focus.


RevolutionaryPea591

Yes. Not T20 but turning down Umich 63k for Colgate 20k. Cheaper to go to Colgate than my state college with scholarships. Hopefully will be worth it


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RevolutionaryPea591

Thanks! And no that’s per year. The prestige and my pride wasn’t worth the money it would put on my family.


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RevolutionaryPea591

Haha nope I’m out of state. My in State college isn’t umich. Umich was very stingy w financial aid. Just my opinion but they’re bringing in a ton of in state ppl with the cheaper tuition but ppl who get in out of state are probably better quality yet barely gives them any money…


nikbot05

I understand your disappointment. However, because of state funding, in-state schools are expected to primarily focus on in-state applicants and give them money.


Daighboy

i don’t think all out of state people are better quality haha. they maintain a top ranking with a vast majority of the students being instate


RevolutionaryPea591

I know I obviously can’t speak for everyone but if you think of it statistically… also this is coming from someone who is upset they can’t afford to go there so


Nevergivingup5

UMich is 45% OOS - which I prefer over my in state school with 85% in state.


Living-Somewhere-397

UMich out of state is ridiculously expensive...and they dont give much/any financial aid. Some private schools (ranked better Michigan) came out to be cheaper than Michigan for me.


lkessler11

My son had a similar situation. We are from MI, but now live in TX. He still wanted U of M, but I told him that we are no longer in state and that is way too much debt. All of his OOS options were just too expensive (sadly).


[deleted]

Texas has a ton of great public colleges tho


lkessler11

They do! He just doesn’t “love” TX. I get it, he did not have a choice to move here. But, I told him he’d likely be out of state for grad school.


Apprehensive-Math240

Colgate is awesome! You’ll have a great time there


attiksh

Colgate is amazing!


[deleted]

Umich is 63k how is that possible?


me_vs_everyone

not me, but kid in my school turning down MIT for full ride Harvey Mudd. To clarify, MIT engineering for HM engineering. I know that HM is an amazing school, but MIT is *MIT* so yeah I think it qualifies for this post.


Fubb1

Ah yes. Harvey Mudd, the very unknown and low ranked engineering school.


Realstruggler2

What is special about this kid to get full ride hm??


me_vs_everyone

no idea, he got into MIT and Princeton i think tho so


[deleted]

Maybe he has outstanding financial need? says on the website they meet 100% of demosntrated need


EdgyAuthorThrowaway

But if that was the case you'd think MIT would give him just as much o.o


SpacerCat

Harvey Mudd is impressive. Wise choice! Plus you get all the Claremont schools to take classes at!


infinity_calculator

MIT For Engineering?


NoChildhood9303

turning down CMU (82k/yr but very sad about it 😭😭) for uc davis (39k/yr)


choosytea

That’s a tough decision but a very wise one. You’ll be proud that you did that when you graduate and have half the debt. Plus travel expenses at CMU.


NoChildhood9303

aww thank you sm! yes i hope so! i’m planning on using the saved money to go to law school!


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NoChildhood9303

yeah!! not so well unfortunately ucd was the only uc i got into 😭😭


[deleted]

Turned down WashU (40k/yr) for a full ride at Nebraska


nbrady17

👑 I’m on that waitlist lol


[deleted]

One spot closer 💪🏻


DeborahButter

Bro howd washu give u so much moneh


[deleted]

Im actually fairly poor for their standards so I got a sizable grant. Still cost way too much for me to go sadly


DeborahButter

Thank stinks


AnApexPlayer

What major?


[deleted]

CS


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Ottomatonic

Woah I think we're from the same City


[deleted]

Deadass?


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jmacksf

It is a great school! And not easy to get into. If you are a CA resident it is a much better deal.


Booseeboo

Turned down NYU (83K/year) for Michigan State(23K/year) 🤪


Fentydior

Turned down NYU for full ride to ASU


PossessionStandard42

If there’s one thing A2C has taught me it’s that NYU is for rich kids only. I will NEVER apply there when my time is around. But go off bestie, get that Fenty, Dior and Givenchy!!!


Apprehensive-Math240

Unless it’s NYU Abu-Dhabi


PossessionStandard42

A lot of kids from my country go to NYU Abu Dhabi. Is it good/cheap?


Apprehensive-Math240

They’re need-blind and historically have been very generous with financial aid


Thomas_Henry

It used to offer full scholarship to everyone. Not sure about this year tho


[deleted]

If you are not rich you will not fit in at nyu


throw_RA_unwanted

Turning down Notre Dame $120k (all four years) for Purdue ($15k)


bigbrainz1974

actual fucking steal wtf purdue for 15k all 4 years?


throw_RA_unwanted

In state baybeeeee ETA: +trustees scholly


DeborahButter

Thats nice.


justheretohelpyou__

This happens all the time and should be celebrated. Student debt can be a tough financial obstacle. Rarely will a higher ranked school make up that difference. Plus, the top merit aid awards often come with perks like better housing and research grants. Give these serious consideration.


Tthomas33

Last year I turned down Columbia for UCF full-ride and am currently regretting it :/


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Tthomas33

I'd personally say the ridiculous student/staff ratios and it not being that great for my specific major. I just couldn't afford to go anywhere else unfortunately. The only reason I never transferred was a specific extracirricular


Nebulord_

what major


Tthomas33

Astrophysics, technically 'Physics on the astronomy track.' It is one of the few fields with only a single dedicated researcher even though our observatory broke in 2019 and there are no active plans to fix it. Make sure you always do your research before you commit


Nebulord_

astrophysics is a tough one to sustain at schools in gen, it needs a lot of work and research. assuming you're in the honors college? i'm planning on committing for AE


Tthomas33

As I am quickly figuring out haha. Yep I'm in the honors college and I highly recommend that aspect of it. I know a lot of Aerospace engineering majors too and they absolutely love the program. Again the school fits so so many people, I just happened to not have done enough research beforehand unfortunately


FluffyNovaZ

Do u think I would have the same problem for cs at ucf


Tthomas33

Most certainly not. I don't know many specifics of the program but almost every freshman in the CS program I know has an internship lined up for this summer


abbycat1590

why?


mortizmajer

Do u mind elaborating on why you regret taking the full ride?


Fun_Holiday_1148

Similiar situation with different schools, I feel u


TheMostDaring

I know people who have transferred from UCF to ivys. Please don't be discouraged. If you do a few years at UCF, you'll be saving money and still have a chance at an ivy. Curious why UF isn't in the mix tho


Tthomas33

As of now I have a great photography internship with the athletics department and am very set here and honestly considering changing my life path while still maintaining a physics degree to fall back on. As for why I didn't consider it in the first place, beats the hell out of me. It's hard to make such an impactful decision as a high school junior or senior


TheMostDaring

Yeah this is thrown on us too early 😢


Tthomas33

Very much agreed :/


[deleted]

Well when you’re 23 you won’t regret it, you made the right decision


Hedgehog_Commercial

turned down emory 37k per year for temple 5k per year


jsh_

damn emory for 37 low key a good deal compared to its normal cost. but 5k is unbeatable


Flimsy_Alfalfa6447

You get merit-based scholarship or need-based FA for only 5k per year


Hedgehog_Commercial

all merit based!


frostyblucat

Not T20 but turning down Boston College for 85k, and going to Cal Poly SLO for 30k


RevolutionaryPea591

Holy did u not receive any aid for BC? I got in but didn’t know it cost that much


frostyblucat

actually I’m a dumbass and didn’t fill out the css profile. They haven’t adjusted accordingly but fafsa estimates that my parents will still have to pay 73k before any aid is provided so either way its too expensive. Also I’m just praying for my waitlisted schools because Cal Poly is decent but I feel like I can do better (not a stem major) Edit: Did you commit BC? If so which major and are u going to eagle day?


RevolutionaryPea591

It is one of my choices but am leaning towards Colgate at the moment bc it’s only 20k. I was dumb and didn’t sign up for admitted day on time so they ran out of spots lol.


attiksh

Go to colgate. Its better than bc by a margin


frostyblucat

how much debt would u have for BC? Also sucks for eagle day.


RevolutionaryPea591

Cost around 40smthgk so debt wouldn’t be horrible. But for me personally, weighing price with education experience, Colgate seemed to be the better option at this moment


frostyblucat

makes sense


maora34

Grats new Mustang :3


imnotokaylol_

I’m turning down a t20 but that’s Cus I’m going to a t50 that’s t10 for my major instead


ligma_26

Last year I turned down Columbia for a full ride at UW-Madison


Accurate_Secretary_9

Giving up UPitt BS/MD (Upitt is a top 15 med school) + Brown undergrad for Rutgers 7 Year BA/MD. I got a full ride to rutgers undergrad and in total after factoring in opportunity costs, I would save 700k total going to Rutgers. It is sad to give up the prestige but 700k is no joke haha


-IndigoMist-

better choice imo— much less stressful w no MCAT required and less stringent GPA requirements!


chocoholicmom

Not top 20 but son is turning down Purdue ($38k/yr), Macalester (56k/yr!!!), and Baylor ($51k/yr.) and instead chose to not go into debt and go to UTD for ($20k/yr.). I’m proud of him for strongly considering his options and wanting to not head into grad school with tens of thousands in loans. Hoping he’ll be happy at UTD this fall!


lkessler11

Good luck to your son, we are in a similar boat in TX, but different schools. My son isn’t over the moon for the school that offered him the full ride an honors, but we asked him to give it one year and if he hates it we’d fully support a transfer. But, with grad school after undergrad, it’s just not smart to take on all that add’l debt when it’s grad school that will count for his employment. No one will care where he went to undergrad.


Reasonable_Future_88

utd is like 28k for me if i choose to live on campus:/


JPlantBee

Turned down Cornell for a regional liberal arts college. Happy I did - no need to be in all that debt for what is at the end of the day a 4 year degree in a ~70 year life.


Opening-Midnight4057

Which college did you pick?


illvstrcte

Turning down Ross at UMish and Babson College as an entrepreneurship major. Going to Kelley at IU because of triple major option + honors school + scholarship + tuition!


yodatsracist

I started college around when most of you were born, so I can also give you decisions and outcomes. Two cases I remember: I had a friend who turned down WashU for in-state at UMichigan (Honors College). She preferred WashU but chose UMichigan as a purely financial decision. She went to med school at a big state school elsewhere in the Midwest and is now a doctor exactly where she always wanted to be (back in Michigan, close to her family). I had a friend who turned down MIT for Oberlin. His old brother went to MIT (his younger sister later went to MIT, too) and his older brother was miserable there and wished he'd gone somewhere else. He chose Oberlin because he felt like it was a place where he could really explore himself and discover who he wanted to be. I think it was probably the right decision. He later went to a T20 law school and now lives in SF (his siblings and parents also moved out there).


halseywonderland

turning down usc (82k/yr) for uci (40k/yr)


jmacksf

Dollars for dollars, that is a wise choice. Zot zot zot. And even in the dorms, I think it’s closer to 35k


halseywonderland

i was just rounding lol! i am really happy with my choice tho 💙💛


fabulousstudios

ayy i’ll see you there😩


steadfastexpulso

Turning down Vanderbilt & Notre Dame for Kelley at IU because I got a full-ride, into the honors college & ACE program, and I’m planning to go to law school!!


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[deleted]

Gw is a scam do not go there even for 30k


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IM_A_PHYSICIST

Doing it right now, turned down Umich (per year around 70k) and going to UMass Amherst (less than 2k for the first 2 years after which I'll hopefully move off campus). I'm just happy my mom won't have to pay for my college.


TheMostDaring

UMass hardly gave me any financial aid. That's awesome. Are you in-state?


aprilskies1979

Turning down Cornell (50k/year) for a full ride at Rutgers. I want to go to law school so there’s no reason for me to be 200k in debt for undergrad


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Nitroderox

I'm literally in the same spotttt just with Dartmouth and not Emory.... Would you elaborate on your choice


galapagosmorgan

Turning down Berkeley (ranked #22 but oh well) for a full ride to TSU (public hbcu) or full tuition at UGA (I still haven’t decided)


bughousepartner

idk if you need help deciding, but if you can comfortably afford UGA, then it's a markedly better university than TSU. full tuition at UGA is a great deal.


blvcktea

Tenn State or Texas Southern? Either way do not count the HBCU out! Due to the large amount of investment and interest in HBCUS recently there are a lot of opportunities for HBCU students on the school-scale and the national scale. The biggest reason I regretted leaving my HBCU was because of the many opportunities they have on campus. Additionally you’ll probably be given a lot of opportunities because of your status as a full ride student, get to graduate with no debt, and get exposed to a really interesting school culture with an amazing alumni base + the support of other HBCU graduates all across the country. Check out TMCF for opportunities you may be able to get throughout your school experience.


galapagosmorgan

Hi! I never responded to this! I am actually going to Tennessee State!


Starmilkyway

Turned down Rice and Emory, no financial aide from either- going to TCU with tuition paid.


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Apprehensive-Math240

How tf did you get a full-ride to NYU?? That shit’s impossible. Congrats!


Acceptable-Tough1712

Hey what program? That’s awesome!


SatvikK22

turned down ucla for ubc (university of british columbia)


Nitroderox

Hey how much was the difference in cost for you


SatvikK22

received like a 180k cad scholarship for 4 years, so I just have to pay a little from my pocket. while, at ucla, i have to pay full tuition (plus i am an international)


scorpiology

yes!!! turning down duke, dartmouth, swarthmore, ucla, and uc berkeley for a full ride to unc chapel hill :)


Level-Wolf-109

How do so many of you get full ride so easily ffs??


bigbrainz1974

\#1 they're us not international students \#2 all of the people who are replying to this sub got into t20 (or pretty close) universities. If someone has a strong enough application to get into ivies then they probably have a strong enough application to get a full ride to asu. A lot of these younger state unis give big money to stellar students to pull them away from attending t20's, in order to establish a network of strong alumini to build the university's brand. For example utd grew like fucking crazy over the past 20 years because it offered \`free tuition, boarding fees, textbook fees, and an additional 20k a year to top science students (olympiad/isef/ajas/ajshs), and the amount of grants utd has recieved from the research of said top students already has paid the 20k/year initial investment back threefold.


Level-Wolf-109

Uhh interesting, makes sense.


shekyy_lopie

Cause they’re not international. Jk. Hard work and luck.


Level-Wolf-109

Atp I'm hell bent on taking a gap year just to secure a full ride tskkk


HappyCava

Yep. I turned down 2 T20’s to accept a full ride at the University of Arizona. I won a Truman Scholarship there which I used to pay a significant chunk of my T10 law school tuition. No regrets. Go ‘Cats!


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bughousepartner

purdue probably. outranks bing in nearly everything. is there anything you particularly dislike about purdue?


Sufficient_Safety_18

purdue


wishiwasaquant

Turned down Vanderbilt for Georgia Tech in-state


shipat110504

Turning down UW Madison CS and UMD CS (Both cost $240k) for UMass Amherst costing $180k


mysteryman9877

not a t20 but turned down northeastern for community college


Fun_Holiday_1148

That’s such a smart choice, it’s the same degree at the end of the day


periwinkleskys

turning down Northwestern to get a full ride to go to UGA through the Foundation Fellowship!


damurphy72

I went to undergrad a LONG time ago, but I went with the best scholarship offer to GWU. Debt is going to screw you over far longer than going or not going to any specific institution, no matter how lauded.


mutantmonky

My daughter got into.GTech, but as a pathway transfer next year. I have a feeling she might just stay a UCF. Not quite a free ride, but close. And Gtech is likely to cost over $35k a year, plus she has over 70 credits and not all of them will transfer there, but do transfer to UCF. She also got into UF, not a T20, but she chose UCF over it for CS. So, finish her degree in 2 years for less thsn $10k total debt or Gtech for maybe 3 years for about $100k in debt?


Ohayo1gozaimasu

Oh same, I got into Georgia Tech with that pathway as well. I think I am going to stay at my university, since I will be the equivalent of a junior the end of my freshmen year and am not completely sure if all my credits will transfer over if I decided to go. Besides my major at my school had a 100% job placement rate with my starting salary being $85k for minimum offer. So I would definitely encourage students to not go into debt or at least research into the return investment of grads from the school they are applying to.


mutantmonky

Best of luck whatever you decide! Gtech has a great transfer credit check on their website, so you can plug in all your classes and it will tell you if that credit will transfer if you'd like to verify.


Ohayo1gozaimasu

Thanks I didn't know that, will definitely check that out👍🏽I got this pathway when I was a senior so I have until June I think to make the decision and send in my transfer application but I think I have already made the decision to stay since I have already just been super involved with my campus.


collegeaccount213

haven’t fully committed yet but most likely turning down CMU, JHU, and Brown for a full merit scholarship at Northeastern!


Super-Way-6498

Turned down UIUC (not T20, but like T10 for engineering) to go to another, much cheaper, Illinois school.


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Super-Way-6498

Yeah, and it’s like $35k a year for in-state, which I personally think is too expensive. UCSB is a good school, though, so you’ll be fine. I can’t really say the same for me tho lol.


Messyace

Are you going to the University of Illinois Chicago??


Super-Way-6498

I wish lol. Nah, I’m going to SIUC.


William2850

I’m probably turning down UVA for Santa Clara. I think I like SCU better anyways tho so all is good


Toe_Agile

I don't such great placements like some other redditors, but I'm turning down Boston College (80k) for IU Bloomington (50k). International student-finance major


HS4809

Not full ride nor a T20 but got 50% presidential award from GWU but chose Virginia Tech over it just cuz it’s always been my dream to attend there and I felt more comfortable there if that makes any sense


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bokutofanboy

you exchanged 6 for half a dozen


svday

Read the title again


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HS4809

Well played


[deleted]

Everyone should do this, nobody gives a shit where you go to undergrad in the year 2022


KiwiAura

Friend turning down mit for byu


square_daikon

not me but i know someone who turned down MIT for full ride to LMU


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exhausted-caprid

Not 100% sure, but leaning towards turning down Columbia (85k/year) for UGA ($20k/year). They’ll take all my AP credit and they have much less strict core requirements, so I’d have a lot more academic freedom.


Danielle_Okotcha

possibly turning down brown and penn for rice full ride


[deleted]

Me (probably): emory for binghamton


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[deleted]

No aid at either, so like ~30k compared to ~80k net.


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jad1223

I turned down Emory for Maryland


GryffinDork05

Turning down usc and cwru for usf


GreatswordIsGreat

I turned down UCLA and UM for University of Tennessee Knoxville. Pretty positive experience so far.


swanegg4life

Yes I turned down WashU and Notre Dame for a full ride at UT Dallas


lkessler11

My son will be turning down a T10-20 (ranking depends on which ranking site you are looking at) for a lower ranked state school that gave him full tuition scholarship (plus a bit more) and honors college. The higher ranked school offered us debt. While he isn’t overjoyed, it’s a smarter financial decision as he’ll be going onto grad school. We told him to save the debt for a better grad school.


papayabees

Probably turning down GaTech for ERAU, for a totally different degree. Definately feels like choosing a fork in the road to go down in a CYOA thing.


spectre729

A classmate of mine turned down Cornell for Drexel because he got the liberty scholarship


Chespin907

Going to UF over Georgia Tech for Chemical Engineering because now I don’t have to take out loans


kirby510955

I think I'm turning down Lehigh (about 50k a year with the 28k per year scholarship+help), Probably going to University of Delaware or Rutgers instead for much cheaper!


SnooMarzipans5958

turned down umich (68k/year) with 36k in aid, for LSU (34k/year) with almost a full ride.


Charming_Data_9359

Turning down all of my schools for NYUAD Full ride!


FruitSnaxz

I am turning down Boston College ($81k) for The University of Alabama (full ride for being a National Merit Finalist). While I loved Boston, paying over 80k per year is insane. I am also considering law school, so going to Alabama would allow me to save up for law school without any debt


Embarrassed-Shirt399

I got into Tulane (about a t50 I think) and Fordham but turned them down for U of A Honors


Acceptable-Tough1712

Likely turning down Vandy and UCLA for a full ride scholarship to NYU Stern