<p>University of Connecticut was very generous with my financial aid. It would actually end up costing me LESS to go there than it would at my own state schools (the SUNYs). I'm really considering going to UConn but I was just a little worried about being an OOS student when the majority of kids are in state. Will everyone be with their friends from high school and therefore already have their "cliques?" </p>
<p>Opinions/experiences would be great! Thanks.</p>
<p>I find that most people at UConn become friends with people on their floors, dorms and in classes instead of hanging out with their friends from high school. There are a lot of students who typically attend UConn from a high school and they might bunch together in the beginning and remain friends, but their friends are usually from everywhere. </p>
<p>I really don’t think you would have anything to worry about – the people I knew in high school made their best friends/future roommates that are from different towns and different states. UConn is so big, and has so much to offer that meeting people from everywhere is inevitable, and there is an option to blend in easily. That being said, even kids from high school will find they blend in with kids from OOS and from other high schools, rather than kids from their own high schools.</p>
<p>UConn, in the long run, will be what you make of it. If you look hard enough, and you put yourself out there, there is going to be something out there for you. Avoiding cliques will be easy, its just going to be how you approach the experience. A person won’t not befriend you because you’re an OOS student, and none of their “really majorly super cool high school friends that they’ve been trying to avoid” will already have cliques made.</p>
<p>My son is trying to decide the same thing right now. He is OOS, New York. SUNY Bing. vs. Uconn vs Northeasternvs. Delaware. Uconn has the good basketball teams! I agree with the previous poster-you will meet most of your friends in your dorm. He 's going to a Uconn open house tomorrow. And personally, I hope he likes it. For the price, they have alot to offer.</p>
<p>Thanks barongkp, that’s very reassuring.
Shellywelly-I had similar choices as your son. Actually deciding between Boston University & UConn right now. Decisions, decisions. I hope your son liked it. It’s a really good school, I loved it when I visited. I just hate how it’s in such an isolated area, but I think that’s the only drawback.</p>
<p>Did you decide? My son liked UConn alot. He still wants to see Northeastern next weekend. I know he loves Boston. I think if he goes to UConn he is going to have to get himself involved in campus activities, because there isn’t anything to do off campus. I just want him to be happy, whatever he decides…if he ever decides:0</p>
<p>I can’t seem to decide! I love Boston as well but I’m not so sure it’s worth $7,000 more a year. If only UConn was placed a bit closer to Boston…</p>
<p>My son is thinking the same thing. If UConn had a little more of a town, I think it would be perfect for him. But nothing is going to be perfect. I think his decision will be done on May 1st, no sooner. I still think that UConn (esp. with a scholarship) is the best bang for your buck. They have alot of different classes to offer, school spirit, and the price is right. But I do feel guilty about pushing him in this direction.</p>
<p>@revoltxo: if I may ask, did you get merit aid from Uconn? My son is also OOS (NY), was accepted EA, but only got loans :(. SUNY schools much better financially for us, but he wants the big fan base and the journalism program.</p>
<p>Shellywelly- I know, I guess you can’t have it all! I think that if UConn allowed freshmen & sophomores to have a car, it would also make my decision easier since Hartford is relatively close. And yea, for the price, you can’t go wrong. </p>
<p>carolmsn-I got $12,000 a year in merit money, plus about $9,000 in grants. What SUNY did your son get into? That’s unfortunate, but there are some great SUNYs! I applied to (and was willing to go to) New Paltz or Buffalo. But financially, UConn ended up being about the same or even better.</p>
<p>@revoltxo: congrats on those awards, that’s great. My son applied to Albany and Stony Brook, because they had journalism programs. Waitlisted at SB, accepted Albany. With two parents working, we did not qualify for any grants/need based FA.
Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I’m undecided but I’m actually pretty interested in Journalism as well. I didn’t receive any grants from the SUNYs either, just loans. Good luck to your son as well, it’s such a tough decision.</p>