Dear thread starter, I can identify with your problem.

I was in the same position: I have secured offers from Drake University (Iowa, USA) & Uni of Waterloo (Canada) to complete my degree in Actuarial Science. I am currently in my last semester of the American Degree Transfer Program, and have had to make the same decision that you are making now.

I prepared for the most PROBABLE outcome, which happens to be Drake. The reasons are financial:
(i) Drake is cheaper (USD35k/year), while Waterloo is expensive (CDN32k/year)
(ii) Drake requires a further 2 years of study, while Waterloo requires 2.5, more likely 3.
(iii) Drake provides scholarship (almost USD9k/year), while Waterloo makes no such offer.

However, Waterloo is to me what UCL is to you. This is because Waterloo has a better program, is more highly regarded, and provides me with the opportunity to work full-time during the summers. But I cannot, in good conscience, take up Waterloo's offer unless I am able to receive JPA or some other form of financial assistance. I assume you intend to try for the "biasiswa ivy league dan setara" loan from JPA.

Thus, my advice to you is to prepare for the worst possible outcome. IF you secure the first loan, but not the other, can you complete your studies? If you run short on cash, is part-time work going to cover it? If, God forbid, some emergency arises that requires you to spend say RM10k, are there people (wealthy relatives) you can turn to?

We all aspire to be the best, and sometimes we are. So don't feel discouraged if you don't make it to your dream school. Hell, one day one of us just may end up teaching there.

Best.

EDIT: Everyone here is making an issue of study loan debt, but I don't believe you should be too concerned. I would be much more concerned about OBTAINING the loan in the first place. If you feel that you can justifiably default on the loan if you simply can't repay it, then I certainly will not blame you.

This post has been edited by katana18: May 29 2010, 10:07 PM