Unfortunately, money is usually a huge factor when it comes to college decisions and that is exactly what is happening tp me right now. ):
I got accepted into American University, my top choice. I would absolutely love to go there but it's $50,000 per year and their financial aid was too little ($13,000 for me). Parents won't allow me to get loans even if it's under my own name. It was crossed off my list along with a lot of other schools I got accepted to.
I live in New York so Stony Brook is naturally the cheapest school for me. However, I received a HUGE amount of money from Loyola ($29,000!) so that also makes Loyola another alternative. Now it's all down to these two. My major is business/marketing.
Loyola:
-It is only 3% asian. I went to a predominantly italian/irish middle and high school and I was fine being the only asian in my grade. I was able to get along with everyone in my school with no problem and some of my best friends are white. But will college be different? Will I be discriminated in some way? Will I fit in with the preppy (which I'm not), white population of Loyola?
-It is a Jesuit school, and I'm atheist. Will that pose a problem for me?
-Dorms are huge. They are like palaces! This appealed to me as well.
-A good business school compared to Stony Brook (which is more known for its science programs)
-A bit small for my personal taste--3500 undergrads.
Stony Brook:
-Lots of diversity (both the students and extracurriculars), which I absolutely love.
-Very near the city and my old hometown of Queens, especially by train. I will miss them if I go to Baltimore.
-Not too fond of the dorms there (3 in a room? Oh my!)
Naturally, it seems like Loyola would be the better choice. After all, it's a private university and an excellent school. It would also be better for my major in Business (which I'm still iffy about). The only thing that bothers me is the lack of diversity in Loyola. I always envisioned myself to go to a bigger and more diverse school and I'm not sure if Loyola is for me. But the $29000 seems just too generous for me to give up, especially if I compare the education and opportunity at Loyola to Stony Brook.
I know this was very long, but is there anyone who can help me? I just can't seem to decide on which school! ):
