Max Greczyn wrote:
What state do you live in: Virginia
What do you think your major will be: Engineering/Physics
What school do you like better: I really don't know
If they were the exact same price and you got a 50% scholarship to VT, you'd be more excited to choose VT.
But because that 50% discount comes in the form of in-state discount, you don't appreciate it. And your in-state discount is better than a 50% track scholarship, because you don't have the pressure of earning your scholarship each year. You can walk on as a freshman, get the college track experience, with the option to quit the team any of your next 3 years.
VT will look better on your resume than Penn State, and you will be surrounded by more competitive STEM minds. If VT has slightly less of a social scene, that's a good thing. And you'll already meet tons of people through the track program.
Also, the winters are significantly warmer in VA, so it will be more fun to run outside in the winter.
And remember, it's not just the money you are saving in tuition. It's also the money you are saving in interest on that tuition difference. You will already be getting raped with the interest payments on your in-state VT school loans. You want to pay off those loans as quickly as possible.
If you go to Penn State, you might be paying $350 a month just in interest, and just $100 on the principal, on a $450/month repayment plan. And that's assuming you get a job right away and the interest doesn't escalate dramatically.
And if you end up getting a partial scholarship at VT after you walk on, that will cut your tuition/student loans even more.
This is a big test of your intelligence, and the fact that you're even asking this question isn't the best sign.