Roland98

Well, I am drowning in debt (though only 5 years after graduation, not decades yet) from attending a top-tier school, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I had a few full-ride scholarships to both good private and public schools in my home state, but the experience of being with an amazing group of intellectuals in a town far removed from where I grew up was worth it, IMO. Yes, the name recognition is a bonus as well, and doing research in the labs of well-known scholars has helped open doors in my graduate work. (And I had a Nobel laureate teach a freshman bio class, but sadly, he was the stereotype--couldn't teach his way out of a paper bag).

Nothing against state schools--many of my friends attended and have done quite well for themselves. For me though, the challenge and rewards that came with my education have been worth it.

joedad

I attended a State University with a broad curriculum because I wasn't certain about my declared major. You don't have that problem. Later I married a freakin wiz for her body, and my kids received their gray matter from her. Plans and savings for State educations gave way to Ivy, based on my wife's experience at a local State School. Simply put, she hadn't belonged there academically, only financially, but was never encouraged to consider anything else.

One son decided against Carnegie Mellon simply because the campus was too urban, and ended up graduating from Cornell. Simply put, as smart as those two fuckers were, I knew they didn't belong where I went, much as I enjoyed my years at a local State U. (BTW Ivy League educations don't cost 40 � 60K a year. Where did that figure come from?)

You have a tough call, and you'll live with your decision for a lifetime. I say take the plunge. You can always bail.

fried beef sandwich

One question I would ask myself is, does U Chicago have opportunities for undergraduate research? That is, if you're interested in research or are considering biological research etc., doing stuff in biotech or what not. I shied away from research and chem (ochem scared the living $hit out of me), but now I absolutely love it; in fact, I regret not doing it while I was still in college.

Another question: has your financial aid package come in yet, if any? If it has, and they're not giving you anything, then I would call up the financial aid department and see if you could arrange an appointment/sweet talk them into being a little more generous. Loans suck, yeah... but they're not the only way to finance your college education. E.g., grants, scholarships, refinancing your house, work-study programs, co-op programs...

Co-op programs especially... they let you work off campus and earn $ for a semester or so, AND the work experience gets you school credit.

So before you make your final decision, talk to the finaid department first.

Tharmas

I couldn�t recommend the U of Chicago opportunity highly enough. You�ll regret it the rest of your life if you pass it up.

I myself graduated from an extremely prestigious Ivy League school. Let me tell you, it�s not just the Nobel laureates you�re taking classes from (and yes they DO teach at the lower levels, especially at the U of C), it�s the whole environment, the whole community. It�s not a bunch of kids trying to get a degree so they can get a job. It�s a bunch of bright kids who are all for the most part interested in what they�re doing and interesting to talk to even if it�s not your field.

Since the time I graduated, many moons ago, with a general education, I�ve been able to switch careers half a dozen times. Partly this is because I learned how to learn (a clich� I know), and partly because when they see my BA on my r�sum� it says, �this guy�s smart enough to learn what he doesn�t already know.�

On top of that, my daughter graduated from U of C. The financial package available left her with some substantial student loans to pay off, but those loans are about the best kind of debt you could have, if you�re going to have debt. At one point she actually lengthened the term when she was in a position to easily pay them off just because from a money-management point of view it didn�t make sense at that time, the interest rate was so low.

Also as part of her work/study she was able to combine her job at the University hospital with AIDS research, I believe, but she has always been pretty creative about making the most of her opportunities...

catalyst

Assuming you succeed in your goal of becomming a teacher, I would go to State. Since, IMO, teachers get paid far less than they deserve, you will be paying off loans forever if you go to U of C.

Sakpo

And that just doesn't exist outside Ivy League schools? Sorry, but I've spoken with many bright and interesting kids who go to community colleges, junior colleges, state universities, etc (and their Canadian equivalents). Students who are genuinely interested in their fields of study, who go to non Ivy League/fancy pants schools, and who are intelligent, exist, and suprisingly enough, are actually capable of congregating outside of the Ivy League setting.

Tharmas

Of course you�re right. I would never deny it. I got my graduate degree at a smaller state school, which I chose specifically for the intellectual environment, and I�ve taught/hung out at all kinds of universities and colleges since then, in Canada and the U.S.

There are always bight kids everywhere.

I�ll go you one better. For certain very specific educational goals, I would recommend one of our local community colleges over any Ivy League university. Incidentally my son is attending the local branch of the state university and he�s getting a great education.

But maybe I didn�t make myself clear enough in my original post. There can be absolutely no question that as an intellectual community a first-tier university offers much greater nurturing. Everybody in your classroom or dorm is there because they�re smart and creative and willing to work and sacrifice to be there. Even the football players (if your school has a team!).

And I personally believe that it would be a shame to pass up that kind of opportunity to expand your mind and experience.

Grad Student Humanist

If it was simply a matter of choosing between one school and the other then it would be a no-brainer; of course the U of Chicago is a better school.

But, as most of the posters have pointed out, it is probably not worth going into massive debt to finance your undergraduate education.

Sakpo

Except Prince George and the other legacy kids.

Tharmas

Well, everybody has an opinion, but my perspective is not only from looking back, but also from having helped a daughter through U of C within the last ten years. They work with you. It�s not �massive debt.� I suppose it depends on your perspective.

For me, at my age, I wouldn�t do anything that would commit me to years of debt. But I really can�t advise an eighteen year old to turn away from opportunity and experience out of fear.

You�re only young once.

And Sakpo, if you�re still thinking of trust fund kids and �gentlemen�s Cs� at the Ivys, they went out with George W. You notice his kids didn�t get any free rides.