<p>giterdone–I think one thing that skews the numbers at U of MN and U of WI and similar is that they are in major cities, they have a lot of “part-time” students, people in the work force going back to start a BA/BS or complete a degree and have limited time to take classes. It does come down to course availability though for a lot of kids, through no fault of their own. I hear that from many kids I know that have gone there.</p>
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<p>That is a very good point. Schools that are in large cities will have a greater number of students who are “working their way” thru school…many are just taking 12 credits at a time.</p>
<p>Even if Ann Arbor is 50 minutes away from Detroit (according to Google maps) , I don’t think that makes the situation the same/similar as actually being in a large city. Those who live in Detroit have college options there (Wayne State public & several privates)…so Detroit locals don’t have a big need to commute to UMich if money is a concern.</p>
<p>I do think that a well-financed student can graduate in 4 years from the various Big 10 and Pac 12 schools. Parents who have a financial interest may have to “stay on top of the situation” to prevent hiccups, but it’s not some rare feat. </p>
<p>Another hiccup that occurs is when kids select an easier class to satisfy a Gen Ed req’t and then they change/select their major only to find out that a harder class was needed - so that easy class becomes superfluous. </p>
<p>Certainly if a student comes in with some AP classes (and the school accepts them), it is really easy to graduate in 4 years…often with extra minors or a double major.</p>
<p>“The nine-county area designated by the United States Census Bureau as the Detroit–Ann Arbor–Flint Combined Statistical Area (CSA)”</p>
<p>From Wikipedia… so it MUST be true ;)</p>
<p>Well if you want to go by the CSA…</p>
<p>The point is, at Madison or MN, people can walk from their office to their classes at the university and back again. It’s convenient and easy vs having to drive 50 miles to so the same thing at Ann Arbor. I do agree that it is difficult at any large university to get done in 4 years but it isn’t impossible.</p>
<p>Also, you need to take into consideration that the U of MI has 27,000 students, the U of MN has 34K, and Madison has 30K. The U of MI is better compared to say Iowa State for size of school and grad rates.</p>
<p>Another question about OOS, how do they figure travel costs into the COA, or don’t they? A school just popped up on our radar that looks like a great fit (on paper) for our DD. Getting to and from this school could be a bit expensive (flying). Do they take that into consideration for COA/FA, etc.?</p>
<p>No. I’m actually surprised at how little they take into consideration. But I’m just going through this for the 1st time, myself. D got an email notice of “estimated aid” from one of her choices and I was shocked! when I opened it, until I read the fine print (estimate only, actually FA summary will follow receipt of signed tax returns). Whew!</p>
<p>I guess I should be a bit more specific, if we are looking at pretty close to a full ride somewhere between athletic money and merit aid and say travel costs for the year are $2000 (made up number) and the tuition/room/board/fees are say $30,000 and she gets $15K in athletic money and $15K in merit aid, if she got another $2K scholarship somewhere (school or private) would they count that in the COA or would one of the other awards be reduced?</p>
<p>I realize it will vary some from school to school.</p>
<p>I believe it would be reduced. But that’s just my opinion. Otherwise, you get into issues like; what if she flies 1st class vs. riding the bus? or hitchhiking?</p>