Pros-5 College consortium. Access to tons of classes, clubs, dining halls, sports event etc. Small liberal arts college but access to big research university.
Objectively, I believe that 90-95% of a studentās success in college is purely a function of the student, not the college, and whatās more that the difference between an absolutely marvelous college like Amherst and another college one tick down the prestige scale from there is not significant, and probably will not even be perceptible to any individual student. And yet, deeply grateful that I could afford to be so irrational, in my own family with one kid I paid about $100,000 extra (over time) for just such an imperceptible difference. Part of it was very specific family dynamics; part of it was really valuing the unique quality of a world-class institution. Thereās no way that I could justify that on any kind of financial analysis.
I donāt know what position I would take if I were the OP without knowing more precisely what the choices are, and what the family situation is, but I would never advise her that Amherst at full pay is āworthā the difference vs. any reasonable alternative at half that amount. Even though as far as I am concerned Amherst is one of the crown jewels of higher education in the world.
Biddy made the news
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/04/18/602260480/100-top-colleges-vow-to-enroll-more-low-income-students :x
What I think about is not the experience at school. You can have a great experience and get an excellent education at many many colleges. every school offers something unique. The question is does the name/reputation of a school or alumni group open more doors down the road than say another less highly ranked school would? And more importantly does your student have the personality/drive to take advantage of that benefit? Because it likely doesnāt just fall into your lap. Things I thought about.
Iām wondering if todayās Amherst is any diffrent from the Amherst Alumni talks about? If shift in admission policies caused a positive or negative change or had no effect whatsoever?
If you can afford it (without large loans, dipping into retirement savings, etc). then Amherst is a great place. But if the finances donāt work, then they donāt work. It is hard decision to make at this time of year, but sounds like your child has other good offers in hand. Explore some of those - hopefully the student has revisited some (or will this week) to consider affordable options. If your child has what it takes to get into Amherst, then the student has what it takes to be successful at a different school.
@CupCakeMuffins I have been out of town, visiting my D while she is studying abroad, in fact. She loves Amherst and her study abroad experience has been amazing. Her Amherst prof hooked her up with a research opportunity with a professor abroad which she went 6 weeks early to do. Now sheās in classes there and is really missing Amherstās small class sizes and academic approach. The current abroad school (it is a large university she is at this semester) has giant classes, even at the advanced level, and relies on TAs. Sheās loving the overall abroad experience, and the research sheās doing, but will be glad to be back at Amherst for her senior year, for sure.
Feel free to send me a private message if you have specific questions.
Iāll pick your brains for sure. Thank you so much.
Iām still torn between two options, my kid accepted it better. Iām struggling with my guilt. I need to stop peeking at CC every free minute i get, it just adds to my misery.
Hereās an idea: Can you tell your nephews that you will LEND them their remaining tuition at zero interest? Presumably theyāre going to get jobs after they graduate.
I can but i gave my word to their father so idk if i should. Obviously if my kid didnt have another good option, I wouldnāt hesitate.
Iām sure their father doesnāt expect you to set aside the needs or goals of your own child to prioritize his children. It would be very helpful if you could tell us the other option. Is it University of Vermont? UMass Amherst? Or is it Washington University or Duke, which are elite schools that offer merit aid to a tiny percentage of students?