Affordable for CA student?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Indiana University - Bloomington
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<p>My daughter is applying to IU even though we live in California. I'm not exactly what is drawing her to Indiana University-Bloomington...but she is, nevertheless. :) The only thing I keep stressing to her, however, is the fact that it's an out-of-state PUBLIC college. Even if she were to get the $9,000 scholarship or ANY merit aid...I still don't know if that will being the price down low enough to make it feasible. I'm sure IU is great! But, on the other hand, doesn't it make more sense to get her undergrad degree in CA and save the money for grad. school? I mean, it's not like we don't also have some good schools here. And, some BIG ones like IU. :) Then, maybe she can consider going out of state for grad school. Anyway, have you heard of any California students getting much aid (NOT loans) for IUB?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I just don't want her to get her hopes up. I reminded her that it also will cost $$$ to fly home during the holidays, too. All these things add up. Still---I do think Indiana sounds like a nice place. :)</p>

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<p>There was a Wells Scholar from Santa Rosa California in 2008. I think we are passed the deadline for a high school to nominate. My D’s high school class sought highly selective OOS PUBLIC colleges like N. Carolina Chapel Hill/Univ. Cal Berkeley/Virginia. The in state public college will attract so many of your daughter’s class that it might not feel special. I.U. is starting to get a lot of students from the NYC area.</p>

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<p>I’ve been looking at IU more online today and I can see why it appeals to her. Just the photos of Bloomington are very inviting! I love how it’s so close to the campus. A true college town, it looks like. Also, I noticed that there are a few majors (including Exercise Science) that she might be interested in within the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Therapeutic recreation seems like a good lead-in to Occupational Therapy grad school, as well.</p>

<p>Anyway, we’ll see how it goes! My CA girl just might become a Hoosier next year! :)</p>

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<p>2Leashes, My D is OSS and received the 9000 scholarship. We live in NY and IU costs about 10,000 more than it would cost her to attend a NY in state school. However,due to the beauty of the campus, the vibrant town, the school spirit , the friendliness of the people and the reputation of her program(business) , we thought it was worth the extra money. It is true that travel costs eat up a significant amount of her scholarship. </p>

<p>Deciding whether it is worth the extra money is a very subjective decision . Only you can decide what you are willing and able to spend. When our daughter applied to schools , we told her in advance we had to review scholarships and financial aid before we could commit. We also told her for certain schools she would have to take loans in her own name. </p>

<p>IU is a great school if it turns out to be financially feasble for your daughter. I wouldn’t worry too much about her getting her hopes up, you could always put off a visit until you know it is financially feasible. California has great in state schools so either way I am sure it will work out. New York state schools tend to be ugly and have little school spirit</p>

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<p>2Leashes, my D is an OOS freshman at IU from Northern California. While she applied to a few UCs, she primarily focused on OOS public schools because she wanted to experience living in a different part of the country. We are paying somewhere between $5-$10K extra for her to go to IU vs. a UC, but she is almost certain to graduate in 4 years (something that is becoming more and more difficult with the California system given our state’s budget issues). She chose IU specifically for the Kelley Business School which is one of the highest ranked programs among public universities, but what finally sold her on IU was the beauty of the campus and the sincere niceness of the people she encountered when visiting (that midwest charm). So far she’s having a fabulous experience and we are fine paying a bit more given the stories her UC and Cal State friends are telling her about crowded living conditions and difficulty getting classes. Good luck to your CA girl making her decision.</p>

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<p>One of the reasons my daughter ended up at IU is because her father and I met while we were grad students there and encouraged her to apply. Daughter wanted out of California and did not apply to many UCs. She was accepted to IU, so we visited (and relived many memories) and she loved it, also loved Wisconsin, where she was also accepted. I guess she was destined for the Midwest.</p>

<p>Our daughter is now a sophomore at IU; while the travel costs do add up, the rising tuition at UCs (and especially the declining chances of graduating in 4 years) coupled with her scholarship ($8,000/year) makes her choice of IU seem better all the time.</p>

<p>She also was a Kelley direct admit, but has since gone in a different direction. This came as no surprise to us since we were perplexed by her choice of business to begin with (her dad is a Kelley MBA and did not think she would enjoy it), but that is another benefit of a big university with many options. Just today, she called to tell me she had met with a counselor in a different department from her major to discuss a minor (in my old area), and she will easily be able to complete it.</p>

<p>If you can, visit IU. The campus is truly beautiful and the town is literally right next to/around the campus so you do get that “college town” feel. </p>

<p>I do know that more and more California kids are going to IU. Just in my daughter’s year about 10 students from our local public high school, in a small district with only two high schools went there. The kid across the street is also a sophomore at IU. And that does not include mine who attended a small private school; and this year there is another IU freshman from her school. I actually see IU car decals in my neighborhood on a regular basis.</p>

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<p>Ahhh…“the grass is always greener…” for these kids of ours, isn’t it? Here I am on a thread where New Yorkers and Californians are talking about their kids wanting to come to IU. And my Hoosier daughter, who will pay a maximum of 1/2 in-state costs, and maybe even get a full ride…wants nothing more than to go to NYU at 3 times the cost. I send her these threads…so she can SEE that, what she has in her own back yard IS a great opportunity…it only doesn’t feel that way because it’s “familiar”. </p>

<p>OP: Might depend on whether or not your daughter is already interested in a particular major (did I miss seeing what that was?). Example: Kelly Business school is a FABULOUS and well respected school. IU music is … well … nearly beyond comparison! I even read on CC that their ballet school might be better than Juilliard (I’m just quoting, I personally have NO idea). My niece got into Columbia Law School directly from IU undergrad. </p>

<p>FYI - IU has a lot of “smaller” scholarships for merit. Beyond the automatic scholarships that you mentioned. There are lots of scholarships within each school and/or department. And their application is a CAKEWALK. Might as well at least apply, and see. Then they’ll send you an application for Selective Scholarships if your D’s stats are in that range. OK, so THAT application gets more complex (recommendations, essays, etc.) But they will “stack” a lot of the scholarships. We’ve already been notified my D has the $9000 one, and National Merit (which I THINK also gives you first choice housing). But the Hutton Honors College gives $1000-$5000. And, probably anyone with stats to get the $9000 automatic…will probably get into Hutton Honors College (I think). </p>

<p>So…I can’t answer your question as to whether or not it’s worth it. As I said…my D dreams of NYU and we’re having the same question in our house. It’s SO hard. We WANT to get them the best, and we’re willing to pay for it. Up to a point. But where is the line for each of us? What is WORTH it? Will they make more money, are we giving up our retirement money, can we make a deal with them if they go to a cheaper college we might have some money to “leave” to them, will they hate their college if they stay instate and not do as well, etc etc. Tough questions, especially in these economic times. We’re rolling the dice (applying to all), and gonna “sort it” when we get the full financial details for each admission.</p>

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<p>2Leashes,</p>

<p>My son insisting on going out-of-state instead of to a UC or Cal State here in California. The grass is always greener was one reason, but the ability to go to a highly ranked business school was the primary reason (the only high-ranked public in California with a business program is at UC Berkeley–and you not only have to get into Berkeley, but then you have to reapply during your sophomore year to get into the Haas business school–and need about a 3.45 GPA during your first two years to qualify). He knew he would also have to apply to the business school at Indiana (not being a direct admit), but the requirements aren’t nearly as strict.</p>

<p>My son also wanted the “well-known name school” on the resume that wouldn’t be the same as the other 500,000 students in California that would graduate the same year. Lastly, he wanted to go to someplace with a pretty school–and a college town that wasn’t where his parents already lived (we live near Santa Cruz).</p>

<p>Okay, so he gets to Indiana and guess what–he doesn’t know anybody, he’s not prepared for the weather, the classes are fairly rigorous and he can’t study with friends–and he’s generally miserable for the first semester. </p>

<p>Come second semester he settles in and gets over the homesickness and meets friends and takes advantages of the extra stuff you get at a large research/cultural school like Indiana. Third semester he meets a steady girlfriend and moves to an apartment of his own and out of the dorm and is overjoyed. He has already applied back to a school in California (USC), but his heart is no longer into moving somewhere else and he settles in where he’s at. Fourth semester he changes to a major that fits him much better, in a subject he enjoys and at which he excels. Fifth semester he’s back with money in his pocket from his internship that Indiana U helped him get. Sixth semester he’s telling his mom about his fun times there in Indiana and plans for spring break in Nashville. Seventh semester is now–and he’s up in South Bend visiting his girlfriend’s parents this weekend–and also scouting out Notre Dame to see if he would possible qualify to go to graduate school (MBA) there if he doesn’t get into Michigan (with Indiana being his third-choice backup). He’s telling me about his plans to work a few years both during and after his MBA and then go to Law School and major in business law. (Remember, this is from someone who was considering dropping out during his first semester at Indiana.)</p>

<p>This may not seem like a big deal–but I know how his friends are doing who stayed in California and are at the Cal States and UCs (very unhappy, most are doing poorly in school, and not able to get the classes they need), versus how he is doing and how his two other friends who went out of state for college are doing (one who went to Embry-Riddle in Arizona will be a pilot soon, and one who is a philosophy major at a school in Oregon will be heading into a political career based upon his studies).</p>

<p>I’ve come to the conclusion that getting farther away from one’s parents really matures a child much quicker (well, maybe not financially, but rather in terms of character and attitude). Maybe it’s because he comes from an area where there are a lot of “helicopter” parents (always hovering over the child giving them direction–I was one), and now they have to make decisions on their own–and maybe its because the school helps them learn how to set their own direction. Either way, the extra cost has been worth it to me–and I do know it isn’t cheap–but then I don’t think my son would have done as well had he stayed in California.</p>

<p>One last thing (I know this is a long post). You can cut the costs of your child going to Indiana if you have them take a class or two at a community college during each of their summer breaks, have them take AP or IB courses while in high school and transfer the test credits, and if you have them take about 17 to 18 units or so during each semester at IU-B. (Taking 19 units costs the same as taking 12 units).</p>

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<p>Excellent post, Calcruzer. Our freshman is finding IU all she hoped for and more. One detail that may have changed since your son enrolled at IU is that any credits over 17 a semester are an additional charge.</p>

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<p>It may be premature to put this to print, but I can say that going OOS for my son was both the hardest and the smartest thing he has ever done. We live in Maine and most of his friends stuck to New England schools but that never interested him. He wanted a big school with big school spirit and found IU serendipitously on line. Our visit on the coldest and grayest day in April sealed the deal. He attended the summer program for freshman called IFS and I can tell you when I left him at the curb of his dorm looking scared and regretful I was hyperventilating and crying at the same time! But he had a great experience at IFS, which is really a wonderful idea for breaking into the school before the crush of the student body arrives. He has made so many friends, and has attended so many events – Robin Williams, Ben Folds, he just saw Rain – and there is so much to do and so many nice friendly people to do it with. Sure, there were some tough moments and times when he really misses home. Also, because of the cost of travel we cannot visit him, as we can his sister who is in Massachusetts at college. It is a trade off that we make because it is worth it. IU is a special school. I felt it during Red Carpet Day and during Orientation and I feel it now, through his texts and calls. It is by far more than we expected to pay for his college education, and with two in college, it is very very difficult. But it is worth it to us because he is getting so much out of his experience. My advice is to explore it thoroughly from these posts and their website and if you can visit, make a couple appointments with faculty from departments that interest your student. We did that and were blown away by their enthusiasm and accessibility. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I want to thank all of you who replied! This really helps to hear other parent’s opinions and insights. I’m surprised by the amount of California kids attending IU. Just from reading about Bloomington, it seems to be a town that kids like my California girl would easily fit into. Midwest congeniality mixed in with some liberal fun. Sounds like MY kind of town! :)</p>

<p>Well, my daughter applied to IU last night. Her first college application sent! Pushed the submit button and her application went off into cyberspace…hopefully on to the desk of someone at IU who will appreciate her. She’s taking her second ACT this Saturday and having the score sent directly to IU ASAP. She really hopes it’s 30 or over and that she’ll qualify for the $9,000 scholarship. As it is now, she qualifies for the $5,000 one with a 28 ACT score and GPA, etc. Obviously, we prefer the larger amount. :slight_smile: Update: She just took a practice test and she couldn’t seem to get her score higher than 28! Her reading went up, but she’s just having a tough time with the timed aspect when solving the science experiments. Any suggestions on how to increase her ability to “beat the clock”? </p>

<p>A good friend who lives in Columbus, Indiana invited us to stay with her and visit IU in the Spring if she gets accepted. We might just do that! </p>

<p>Thanks so much again and I’ll keep reading this thread for any more thoughts and tips.</p>

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<p>Your last sentence is where we are. My husband just said to apply—then see if she gets accepted—look at what they can offer us financially—visit colleges she hasn’t or wants to check out again—and weigh all the pros and cons and hopefully come out with a choice we can all live with. :slight_smile: Nope, it’s NOT easy, that’s for sure! And, it’s sad that money has to play such a huge part of all of this.</p>

<hr>

<p>R124687 wrote:</p>

<p>Ahhh…“the grass is always greener…” for these kids of ours, isn’t it? Here I am on a thread where New Yorkers and Californians are talking about their kids wanting to come to IU. And my Hoosier daughter, who will pay a maximum of 1/2 in-state costs, and maybe even get a full ride…wants nothing more than to go to NYU at 3 times the cost. I send her these threads…so she can SEE that, what she has in her own back yard IS a great opportunity…it only doesn’t feel that way because it’s “familiar”. </p>

<p>OP: Might depend on whether or not your daughter is already interested in a particular major (did I miss seeing what that was?). Example: Kelly Business school is a FABULOUS and well respected school. IU music is … well … nearly beyond comparison! I even read on CC that their ballet school might be better than Juilliard (I’m just quoting, I personally have NO idea). My niece got into Columbia Law School directly from IU undergrad. </p>

<p>FYI - IU has a lot of “smaller” scholarships for merit. Beyond the automatic scholarships that you mentioned. There are lots of scholarships within each school and/or department. And their application is a CAKEWALK. Might as well at least apply, and see. Then they’ll send you an application for Selective Scholarships if your D’s stats are in that range. OK, so THAT application gets more complex (recommendations, essays, etc.) But they will “stack” a lot of the scholarships. We’ve already been notified my D has the $9000 one, and National Merit (which I THINK also gives you first choice housing). But the Hutton Honors College gives $1000-$5000. And, probably anyone with stats to get the $9000 automatic…will probably get into Hutton Honors College (I think). </p>

<p>So…I can’t answer your question as to whether or not it’s worth it. As I said…my D dreams of NYU and we’re having the same question in our house. It’s SO hard. We WANT to get them the best, and we’re willing to pay for it. Up to a point. But where is the line for each of us? What is WORTH it? Will they make more money, are we giving up our retirement money, can we make a deal with them if they go to a cheaper college we might have some money to “leave” to them, will they hate their college if they stay instate and not do as well, etc etc. Tough questions, especially in these economic times. We’re rolling the dice (applying to all), and gonna “sort it” when we get the full financial details for each admission</p>

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<p>OP:
I’ll update you that my D and I took a spur of the moment trip to Bloomington this past Sunday (she wanted to shop at Urban Apparel, we have none in Indy). I hadn’t been since my niece graduated…in…gosh…1999. Of course that was in May, so I got to see the campus in its Fall glory (before the UNglorious snow and ice hits!). I lucked into a warm afternoon and sat at a Noodles & Co sidewalk cafe and “people watched” while my D shopped. She has friends on campus, so she went and “played” with them while I ate. I also drove around the campus a bit. My D is interested in music and the Music Center was gorgeous. I didn’t go in any dorms, but she went in her friends and said it was “typical”. There are many different options, of course. The leaves are turning now, and our drive down from Indy, through the hills, was…have I used this word enough yet?..gorgeous. I found out my sister and her watercolor teacher even went down the day before…went to the state park and the campus to paint the trees. </p>

<p>There were kids everywhere but nothing was fast paced because it was a lazy Sunday afternoon of course. Hundreds of bicycles parked at each dorm. I think everyone was relaxing, studying, chilling. The buildings were lovely. Is your daughter interested in Greek life? Some of the “houses” are …word for the day … GORGEOUS. THey look like mansions. Of course the stadium was an awesome sight to see. I’ve only been in it once, it’s so huge. </p>

<p>But, you mentioned “Midwest congeniality with liberal fun”. My D is so interested in diversity, that is one reason she wants to go away from home. She’d love to study abroad, or at LEAST NYC. But IU ranks high on a list of PUBLIC schools having both OOS and international students. I think 5% international, and maybe 35% out of state. So just over half are “homebred”. But I saw a beautiful girl who looked to be South American. I heard two Japanese students conversing. I saw a man in a turban. And a gay-straight alliance member was handing out flyers for a movie they were showing. All this mixed with typical Midwest farmboy frat looking jock types as well (a group of 5-6 boys chanting loudly walking down the street…no CLUE what they were saying). There is a wonderful row of old houses turned into restaurants south of the campus, all Middle Eastern or Asian…most seemed to be Thai, specifically. </p>

<p>At any rate, yes, I think most Hoosiers would consider IU to be the state school that is more right brained and liberal (as opposed to Purdue, more conservative, engineering, vet school, etc.). </p>

<p>Just wanted to pass on those observances. I didn’t really see that much of the campus, just driving, and watching students. But my D…who STILL wants NYU…but knows we probably aren’t going to be able to afford it, said…“I guess I’m starting to get a little excited”. Nice! </p>

<p>So…IF your acceptance packet says anything about Selective Scholarship Applications - DO fill them out. And DO know that somewhere, I saw a time limit of 30 days from the time you get your e-mail. I’m not SURE of that, but you don’t want it to sit around. </p>

<p>Like your D…this is the only “push the button” school done for me D so far. It felt scary. But now it’s SO nice to have it in her back pocket. Last week was a new initiative in Indiana, where Hooiers got to apply for FREE to Indiana schools. So you can expect a longer wait for your results because I’m assuming they were inundated with applications.</p>