goSwoop - The Virtual Office for International Students

From the beginning of my college search up to the point of deciding which one to attend, scholarship and financial aid were my most important decision factors. I applied to seven institutions out of which I was accepted to six and given scholarships for five. As many international students, in my college-hunting process financial matters had to limit my application decisions, for I had to chose against applying to certain schools that I knew did not extend financial aid. Still in the end the highest financial aid that was given to me came from two great institutions, one of which was my first choice in terms of environment. During a college fair in my senior year I met a representative of Clark University, of which I had not heard before and was not considering to applying.

I was quickly captivated by the international community in this university, it seemed like an institution that fostered this type of diverse environment, which is the one thing I feared missing once I went to college. Being surrounded by an international student community for most of my life, I was very scared that moving to the U.S. would make me miss out on interacting with diverse people and with feeling included in a community despite being a foreigner. Therefore, Clark University attracted me for its environment and its good academic ranking. It became my first choice. They were the third school to accept me and gave me a scholarship slightly larger than what I had originally anticipated.

The last school to respond to me was Bucknell University, which to my surprise offered me the largest financial aid package. I knew Bucknell University was a reputable institution but it was not one of my top choices, in fact I applied to it because it was in a state where a person dear to me would be attending college. I hoped not to get into this university because of its rural location and the fact that Greek life largely predominates in its social environment. I thought that if I made it into this university I would be pressured to go to college in this state. I honestly never even thought Bucknell would give me that much aid.

The choice between both of these universities became at the time the hardest choice I ever had to make. I spoke to a few professors in my high school and they all advised me to take the money. Take the money; take the money- thats all I heard. Still I realized that while money was very important to me, I didnt want to base such a life altering decision just on money. I was very confused. Thus, I decided to make a pro and con list and in the end I realized attending school of choice was not a lot more expensive than attending Bucknell and the benefits Clark offered where in the long run higher due to their 5th year program, which is a program offering an Accelerated BA/MA Degree with a tuition-free fifth year.

If you find yourself in a similar dilemma look at all varieties and types of pros and cons in making your decision. Always evaluate short and long-term benefits/disadvantages in making your decision. Finally, while money may be of crucial importance in making your final decision be aware that it can be more costly to transfer to another institution if you make an unsatisfactory money-oriented decision. You are going to spend four years of your life living and studying in the college of your choice, make sure it is the best possible choice for YOU. I chose Clark University and I am still convinced that it was the right choice and although I recognize that Bucknell is also a great institution, it definitely would not have been the best place for me.

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