I’m incredibly devastated because I just had a conversation with my parents and they told me that I won’t be able to afford my dream school (Northeastern) if they don’t give me good financial aid, and I’m not optimistic that I will. The only other option that I would even consider is BU and they gave me a decent financial aid package but it’s still kind of a stretch for my parents. I’m going to be a pre-med and my cheapest option at this point is UMass Amherst. I know that it’s a good school and I don’t want to be ungrateful, but I just don’t think I’d be very happy there. I know the smart decision is to go there, but I really don’t think it’s a good fit for my personality and it’s devastating that I’ve worked so hard to get into really great schools and succeeded, but I won’t be able to attend just because of money. I’ve dreamed of going to school in the city, and having to settle for a big state school in a rural-ish area is heartbreaking to me. Any advice?
Go to where your family can afford to send you. What else can you do?
@drdiva Don’t spend lots of $$ on undergrad if you want to go to Med school, especially if significant loans will be needed. Although you could defer payment of undergrad loans while in med school, interest will continue to accrue, which, when added to big med school loans, will be a huge financial burden. I am a UMass Engineering alum and got a great education there, my spouse did, too. Amherst is not a big city, but has a nice vibe with shops and restaurants, and the “Five College” area is full of activities for its many college students. I went to see shows at Smith College and hung out in Northampton(a very fun and quirky small city with an artsy vibe, 15 min bus ride) also saw great performances at the UMass fine arts center, skied in nearby Berkshires, went on inexpensive field trips to Boston, attended football and LAX games. There were always great concerts on campus, too. So many fun things to do, made so many great friends. Have fun and do well at UMass, the science programs and research opportunities there are excellent, and look for urban locations for med school.
A high GPA is a must for getting into med school, regardless of where you go for undergrad, and being at a slightly less selective Uni could help you in that regard. Instead of thinking of UMass as settling, think of it as the smartest choice for your future plans(getting into med school and minimizing loans).
UMASS Boston?
So it sounds like you don’t yet have the financial aid offer from Northeastern. What makes you not optimistic that Northeastern won’t give you good financial aid? Of the three schools that you mention in your post, Northeastern is the only one that says they will meet 100% of demonstrated need. You asked for advice, so here it is: wait for the aid offer before you start crying in your milk.
^^ Yes, wait until you hear/see the bad news before weeping. It may very well be affordable. That said, UMass, Amherst isn’t a bad option. In fact, it’s one of the better “safety” options. Don’t students get to take classes at the other colleges in Amherst? That perk alone means you can make the school fit.
Wait till you hear back from Northeastern, then list your parents’ budget range (ie., “they said 22-25K”)
and your net price*.
*net price = (tuition+room+board+fees) - (grants+scholarships)
I would hope that your dream is a career as a physician, and not a short 4 years of college, which is merely a step along the way. The nice thing about a large state flagship is that there’s something for just about every student, and lots of ways to find your niche. I don’t believe in “dream schools,” and my kids never had dream schools. I hope Northeastern works out for you, but if you end up at UMass Amherst with a good attitude and your eye on the prize, I suspect it will work out for you just fine. If you can’t afford your preferred schools, move on and take the affordable option that will still get you to your goal.
Aside from location, what do Northeastern and BU have that UMass Amherst doesn’t? They’re about the same size and have pretty much the same majors. Did you really want Northeastern’s co-op program? Do you just not want to go to a public school?
Don’t be put off by thinking Amherst is a rural location. I was there for 3 years – actually transferred out – and I really don’t like rural but I never felt that it was. UMass is a mini-city unto itself. You can take classes at the other 4 schools in the consortium. There are constantly free buses running all over – to malls, the other schools, etc. There are buses into Boston. More sports opportunities, both to observe and participate in, than you could possibly attend.
One thing I forgot to add — if you do go to UMass, you can easily find yourself surrounded by people who are smarter and who worked just as hard as you did. You will absolutely not be an exception! You’ll be surprised to find that you’ll actually fit in.
Wait and see what your aid package is. If it doesn’t work out-- There are 35 colleges in Boston. Could you apply to one of the others that would give you a lot of merit $$?
@redpoodles Thank you for your response, but considering that the application cycle is over and I have to decide in less than a month, it’s not really an option at this point. Going through the cycle again wouldn’t be ideal since I will be in school for the next 8 years and should probably start as soon as possible.
@drdiva There are still schools who are accepting apps and awarding merit.
What are your stats? How much can your parents pay?
@mom2collegekids I have enough options at this point to make a decision, I was merely asking about where I should go between the top three that I mentioned (UMass, BU, Northeastern). There’s nothing wrong with the schools I mentioned, including UMass, I’m just disappointed that I worked hard enough to get into BU/Northeastern and money will ultimately be the deciding factor. I’m not interested in other schools less than a month away from decision day.
It is disappointing for sure. But as you get older you will see that this is a recurring lesson in life…you can work very hard, but money is the ultimate decision maker when cost is a factor.
Did you get your actual packages from NEU or BU yet? If not, don’t give up hope just yet. Good luck!
Not to be harsh, but welcome to the real world. In many of the financial decisions that you will make as an adult, money will be the deciding factor. Buy a home… buy a car… decide on a job offer… the list is endless.
<<<
Not to be harsh, but welcome to the real world. In many of the financial decisions that you will make as an adult, money will be the deciding factor. Buy a home… buy a car… decide on a job offer… the list is endless.
[QUOTE=""]
[/QUOTE]
So true.
it’s kind of sad that in recent years, students are thinking, “I worked had in school therefore I should get to go to a name college” (or wherever I want). That isn’t the real world. Adults work very hard and don’t often get whatver they want. When I was in high school, if you worked hard, your reward was typically that you got to go to a UC or CSU instead of the local CC…and you didn’t feel cheated or that your hard work was for naught. (Back then, the UCs were no big deal…admittance was easy)
I only suggested applying to other schools that would give you large merit because UMass isn’t appealing to you and your other schools aren’t that affordable.
Since you’re premed, you’ll want to avoid loans as an undergrad because you’ll have them as a med student. Good luck.
I agree @mom2collegekids. The work hard, I deserve comments are not reality, but magical thinking. “Magic always comes with a price, deary.” I can see it now, Rumpelstiltskin seals on college loan packages! 
My daughter is going crazy about a similar decision. She got into some great schools but little financial aid and a couple of decent locals where she gets basically a full ride. She is not eligible for any need-based grants either. We can afford to pay all costs but we see no logical reason as a premed to give up money in places where she can maintain a good gpa to go to places where she might struggle to maintain 3.5 against very strong competition.
We can see only downside to paying 200K+ to make her look good in front of her peers. She will eventually come around but it is tough on a child who is used to being at the top of the class going to a lesser school than her peers.
Remind her, big fish, little pond.