Crazy to take big merit money at JMU over UVA full price?

[Anonymous]

I'm not complaining here and know this is a great choice to have: DC somehow lucked out and unexpectedly got accepted to UVA in-state and also got a full tuition offer from JMU. We're thrilled! As a family, we could really stretch and make UVA work without loans, but younger siblings will be in college soon so every dollar counts. DC feels like they would be happy at either school and their current choice of major doesn't really benefit from the added prestige of UVA. But we've been in NOVA long enough that the "UVA or bust" attitude has seeped into our consciousness. I know it's stupid to look for confirmation/approval online, but here I am! I just want to do right by my kid. Any thoughts? JMU make the most sense here?

[Anonymous]

what is the major right now? This is definitely hard.

[Anonymous]

What does the DC want to do and where do they want to end up post college. A UVA degree is going to be more nationally recognized over a JMU degree. UVA has a wider diaspora around the country over JMU so that might be a factor to consider.

[Anonymous]

Not at all! Graduating without debt is such a gift.

What's more, if the student wants to go to graduate school, they'll be thankful that money was saved during undergrad.

[Anonymous]

I'd stretch to make UVA work.

[Anonymous]

Impossible to say without knowing the actual dollars. UVA could be very worthwhile in the long run and worth a little debt. Graduating with 20-30k debt could be easily offset by the additional prestige and earning potential.

[Anonymous]

If your kid wants to do graduate school, JMU is the obvious choice. If the undergrad degree will be terminal and you can do UVA without debt, I’d do that.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

[Anonymous]

Congrats!
Talk to some professors at JMU in the department of choice. In reality most are just as strong as profs at UVA. No debt is incredible! College is what you make of it.

(It’s UVA, not Harvard).
(I have a kid at UVA. It’s a good school but it’s not all that).

[Anonymous]

What major.if it's liberal arts don't waste your money .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

Seems obvious you should take JMU in that case.

[Anonymous]

My son is very bright and chose JMU. He absolutely loves JMU. Great professors, nice students and he has had so many opportunities. He is in the sciences. He is going on to graduate school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

Seems obvious you should take JMU in that case.

+1 then JMU for grad school. At the end of the day both are state schools.

[Anonymous]

If your kid doesn’t care they should take the full ride at JMU. Period!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Being overly sensitive not to dox them, it's the type of major that literally everyone in the field has told us "it doesn't matter at all where you went to school." It also requires a masters and doesn't pay a whole ton (tops out around $80-100k maybe).

Seems obvious you should take JMU in that case.

Agree