Going to a small Christian school that won’t academically prepare you is not going to be the best choice. Baylor definitely meets top qualifications has having high academic programs. What major are you looking at?
Major is in History (or Math) and Philosophy. The plan is to go to grad school. Too much debt will squelch that dream
Still, it’s not like I’m looking to attend Harvard. I just want a good school at a great price. But my parents think I’m chasing prestige by wanting to attend Iowa. Last I checked Iowa was not exactly prestigious. I remind them that I only got a 32 and could’t even go to a great school, but they just think that, if it’s not Christian, it’s prestigious, and if it’s prestigious, it’s bad, liberal, and indoctrinating. Sorry for the rant…forgive my frustration.
When do you turn 18?
September 17, 2016…
University of Iowa classes start in August.
OP, try posting in the parents forum - you’ll get many experienced answers there faster.
You have permission to live your life now knowing you will be an adult during your first semester. Do you have any peers to lean on or school counselors?
Yes, all valid points. But how do I convince my parents? Do you think that cold, hard money facts will? @Baylorpoly – are you a parent? If so, how did you deal with it?
Yes, but August is before September. I am a minor…thanks for the thought though…
Where are/have you going/gone to school? @bouders
I’m a parent @forgetmenot98 . I didn’t go to school in the US, well not for undergrad anyway.
Do you mind if I PM you? I am very curious to get perspective from someone who has done what I hope to do (that is, go to college and live to tell about it).
As stated earlier in the thread, my son has applied to Cal Poly SLO and Baylor. He is in at Baylor and still waiting to hear from Cal Poly. The only thing I wanted to make sure of if he goes to a public university is if there is strong Christian support on that campus.
He will likely go to Cal Poly if accepted
Of course I remember that part. My question is regarding your experience. How did you deal with going to college and your child going through the process?
And good job if he gets into that school! It’s prestigious! Hope he does. Did you go to Baylor?
No UC Irvine over Loyola Marymount as I was Catholic and went to Catholic high school. We visited Baylor last September and love it. Visited Cal Poly last February and love it. Not being able to actually visit the campus makes it harder. How far from the University of Iowa are you?
Some posters are basically suggesting that OP cut herself free from her parents. (Sorry OP if ur a guy) I don’t hear her wanting to sever all ties & that would be a very big step. No parents to help u, no home to return to on breaks… She still needs her parents to complete the fafsa unless she becomes emancipated before turning 18, which would be a big legal step and not necessarily a sure thing.
OP, if ur parents can’t qualify for Plus loans, u may be offered loans of $10,000 a year. As a parent I strongly recommend DON’T do that. Normally, as stated above, ur loans will be capped at approx. $5,000 per year. Then if ur parents will make up the difference, that’s not too bad for graduating debt. Not as good as zero, but if u like Baylor & ur parents can somehow pay the price, I think Baylor is a reasonable option. If ur parents feel so strongly it is only reasonable that they should incur some of the debt.
Parents should willing to subsidize a large portion if they want you to walk away from free ride to Iowa
@Baylorpoly – okay, that makes more sense. Could you describe your visit? And I live 45 minutes away (Cedar Rapids) if a normal person is driving. Because my parents hate the school, we might get “lost” and end up in Texas twenty hours later. That’s a joke, by the way.
Thank you very much @alooknac
Though I am a guy (sorry for not clarifying), I appreciate the fact that you understand that I can’t just emancipate myself. As I mentioned in my first post, I have been sheltered, so going from 0 to 60 (metaphorically) that quickly may be catastrophic. I’m angry, not foolish. The debt will have to be managed. Really, thank you for that piece of advice. your knowledge is helpful.
You sound like a good kid and your parents sound like good people. However, their naive believe in power of seclusion, home schooling, overprotection and religious institution can put all of you in unnecessary debt.
Good news is that like any teen ager with real, foster or adoptive parents, you are about to become independent. Bad news is that you are turning 18 after admission process so you do need to convince them without breaking their hearts.
Tell them that you have no intention of going in debt yourself or putting them under debt so if you got financial & merit money to cover Baylor’s expenses then you would be happy to oblige, otherwise you’ll follow God’s will to go to state school.
I hope they’ll come around. Be firm yet kind as you have to be the responsible adult in this situation.
OP, I totally get your dilemma. I don’t think you have to do anything as drastic as walk away from your parents. You have time between now and May 1 to make your decision, and that means time to alleviate any fears they may have about Iowa. So, a quick Google search immediately pulled up this: http://www.iowacru.com/. I mean, look at their Twitter! They meet weekly, have Bible study, and do Spring Break mission trips: https://twitter.com/iowacru?ref_src=twsrc^tfw. PLUS they have small groups at each dorm.
I recommend emailing them and explain that you REALLY want to go to Iowa–and that you have a full ride–but your parents are nervous about you attending a non-Christian-affiliated school. I bet you $$$ they will offer to talk to your parents personally to tell them all about CRU at Iowa. It may go a long way to changing your parents’ minds. Here’s the page w/ contact emails: http://www.iowacru.com/about/our-staff/ You could also plan a campus visit, and perhaps meet with them in person.
Here’s another one: http://www.ccfiowa.net/, so you actually have multiple choices.
@WorryHurry411 – Why thank you for understanding. Just having someone understand encourages me that I’m not crazy, after all. So thanks.
@proudterrier – Genius! My God this is the greatest thing I’ve seen all day! You have no idea how grateful I am, and I will surely be contacting them. Wow, thank you so very much!