<p>I am very fortunate and my parents are willing to make our finances work, however, I'm still uneasy about accepting their offer. I've been accepted to some great state schools that I'd be happy to go to, but I've also been accepted to a very expensive private school as well. </p>
<p>My first choice has always been the private school because of the smaller classes, oppurtunities to work directly with professors, and just generally a more relaxed atmosphere. But now that the financial packages are coming out I'm wondering if I should go to the a public school instead, two of which actually have a slightly better academic reputation than the private school. The private school's yearly expenses is bascially my mom's entire salary for a year. That sounds like a lot, but I remember my parents telling me years ago that technically we could afford to live solely off of my dad's income. Sure we'd have to pinch a few pennies here or there, but we could make it.</p>
<p>If my parents are willing to make this sacrifice should I accept their offer even though there are cheaper options? Also, I'm assuming that instead of using my mom's salary to pay tuition and everything we'd take out some loans to help out...but I still feel bad.</p>
<p>if your parents are willing to give you that kind of offer, i say completely remove finances from your mind, and just choose the school that you like best, not whats most affordable. Pick out the one with the best academics, campus, social scene, etc., and your parents will be happy with your decision. </p>
<p>"Wishing my parents could give me the same offer :-P"</p>
<p>If it would put financial stress on your family, and the public schools are just as good if not better then the private school, I would definitely seriously consider the public schools. If the price difference is pretty significant, I would lean towards public. You can always transfer.</p>
<p>"But now that the financial packages are coming out I'm wondering if I should go to the a public school instead, two of which actually have a slightly better academic reputation than the private school. The private school's yearly expenses is bascially my mom's entire salary for a year."</p>
<p>It looks to me like your decision is between the two good publics, and one private. Think a bit about what you like/dislike about each of these three schools. Taking price out of the equation, which do you honestly prefer? If you find that you like them equally, then you can put price back into the equation and choose the cheapest of the bunch. </p>
<p>If the clear winner is the private school, go back to your parents and tell them your concerns. Some parents, and yours may well be among them, really truly have been able to plan and save for their children's education. I have friends who are in this position who were fortunate enough to be able to pay Ivy League level tuition/fees/housing for all three of their children. I have other friends who were able to live on one income for four years and were able to pay for their child's Ivy League level tuition/fees/housing for four years out of the second parent's income.</p>
<p>Not all parents are willing to bare the details of their finances to their children. (Lots of them would rather share the details of their sex lives first.) I hope that your parents can be honest with you about the money, and that you believe what they say. You sound to me like a very wise and thoughtful child. They are lucky to have you.</p>
<p>stolenreindeer-
You might also consider if you are interested in attending graduate school. If so, what would those costs be? If you spend less for undergrad could you use the money you saved for graduate school so you would not have debt? Many public U's have substantial opportunities for (undergraduate) students to work with professors. Research your public U choices and investigate their opportunities.
Also, as you make your decision, take away any labels (name, prestige, etc.) from the schools and rate them on the qualities that are important to you. You might (or might not) be surprised to find out, that once you remove that private school name and the prestige associated with it, the school that you like best and has the best opportunities for you is one of the State U's.</p>
<p>Good luck to you and thank your parents for the wonderful educational opportunities they are giving you.</p>
<p>stolenreindeer - what a thoughtful child you are! Speaks volumes about your parents and the values they raised you in.</p>
<p>My thought is that if your parents are willing and able to finance your education, you should definately take it. However, if they are talking about taking out huge loans for you they really should reconsider. But that's their decision. Again, though, if they want to do it you should take the opportunity they are offering you.</p>
<p>Repay them with your hard work and with success. And when you have finished your education, start a college fund for your future children and offer them the same opportunity given to you by your parents.</p>
<p>In other words pass it on to the next generation.</p>
<p>The best gift I could give to my parents was them not having to worry about paying for me to go to college. My brother paid for himself too, so all they have to focus on now is my sister. My mother is extremely grateful that I didn't put her into debt over university.</p>
<p>You'd be surprised what you can make out of a large university. Many students I know got opportunities to do research with well-known professors, took small honors courses or even graduate level courses, and enjoyed their experiences at large public universities. College is largely what you make it.</p>
<p>I completely disagree that you should totally eliminate finances from your mind, and agree with whoever said consider what you want to do after college. Your parents may not be in a position to offer you aid when you really need it the most if you plan to attend graduate school if you take their offer now. HOWEVER, finances should not be your primary concern either. Think carefully about where you would be happiest and whether you would feel guilty throughout your college career for spending so much money (you shouldn't. College is expensive.)</p>