So full ride at WVU? If so, you’re all set. Now just wait for other offers.
2 Likes
Are UM, UNC, and UVA affordable for your family? (I know they meet need so hopefully they are!)
In any case, CONGRATULATIONS, that’s an impressive list so far! 
1 Like
Yes, however I was disappointed at the lack of money any of the other schools gave and would have to go in serious debt. Hopefully the ivies which are good about aid pull through.
If I ended up getting no good offers besides WVU, would you recommend going to WVU or going into debt? I know WVU is not bad, but it’s nowhere as good as the other schools and I’ve heard its reputation as a party school(I’m not very social).
How much debt are you talking about?
I would be very cautious about taking on too much debt. It might be more affordable to get your bachelor’s degree at WVU and then get a master’s degree at a higher ranked university.
However, you still have multiple schools to hear back from. I am assuming that when you say that you are still waiting for “the ivies” you are including schools such as MIT, Williams, and WUSTL which are all excellent but are not actually in the Ivy League.
Let us know if and when you get some more acceptances. Best wishes and good luck with this.
So, UNC/UVA/UNC are not affordable? Are you talking the 5.5K federal loan or your parents having to take on loans?
Had you run the NPC on UVA, UNC, and UM? Because they indicate they meet need, I think UM meets full need fo family income under 95K?
What did the NPC say for your remaining universities?
You’re a math major.
If you got a full ride in Morgantown - meaning tuition, room, and board - then yes, over any other school.
It’s a great major and you’ll be highly sought after. You may just have to work a bit harder to find a job…well worth what they are investing in you. You won’t make less money.
Lots of jobs out there for math majors!!!
Depends what she wants to do. Math as a field is horribly snobbish and elitist. It’s different from most other fields in that way, and unjustly so. But debt is a problem, especially if the family is middle or working class - so we need to understand what her budget is and what the FA package looks like at the universities.
In short, the question asked here is more complicated than it looks, with no easy, immediate answers till we know more.
Anyway, OP has many full-need colleges to hear from still 
1 Like
I wouldn’t mind a very small amount of debt – like 10k/yr if you get into MIT or Harvard or schools of that caliber. You can earn that kind of money or more on just summer internships.
3 Likes
Yes, I am including all those schools. Waiting for Harvard, MIT, WUSTL, Penn, CalTech, Cornell, Georgetown, CMU, UChicago, BC, Brown, Haverford and Berkley. For Michigan I would need to pay 30k a year, 20K a year for UVA, and 15k a year for UNC.
1 Like
What net price do you need to avoid debt higher than the direct loans ($5.5k first year, increasing slightly later years)?
1 Like
I’d also assume these are direct costs…don’t forget, there are indirect costs to pay too.
People can downplay them - but they are real.
They impact ones financial and social status.
My family isn’t willing to contribute anything especially with the wvu full ride, so I’m looking for basically a full ride
and they are smart.
This will come down to - not what you want but what the schools say you can afford.
So unless MIT decides you need more than meets needs UVA and UNC, that’s where you are. UCB won’t - so not sure why you applied there but that’s ok - you just need one and you’ve gotten a great one.
And there’s nothing wrong with that - you will make your success. Math is a great major and many will want you - whether it’s the insurance industry, research or others.
Again, you’ll have to work harder to find a job but your career won’t suffer - and there’s nothing wrong with being a mountaineer. You won’t be the only one on campus in this situation.
Since you can only borrow $5500 the first year, the decision will have been made for you. Some parents don’t want the financial strain or can’t afford or want to save for retirement (which is what the experts say). Some see a degree as a degree no matter where it’s from - and that’s their right. They clearly raise a super smart and impressive kid - so lots of love to them for that!!
Take advantage of the opportunities provided. Take advantage of all that WVU has to offer their best and brightest - and you’ll go far!!! Sure, it may not be your dream…but you will have four years of free tuition, housing, food. Many that go to the other schools you mentioned will have many more years than four - of strangling debt that impacts their life each and every day.
There are pros and cons to every situation…but in your case, embrace the pro - and you’ll be fine!!
True, although I am certain I don’t want to go to grad school so I’m nervous about just having a wvu degree for employment. Also, I don’t like parties and know wvu reputation as a party school. But I know the financially best offer will be the one I take ultimately.
Forgot to mention, stanford, Carelton, and wake
1 Like
What type of employment interests you for post-graduation?
Depending of what type of employment interests you, you may want to supplement your math major with courses in statistics, computer science, industrial engineering (operations research), economics, and finance.
I have family currently at WVU along with prior grads. I also have friends and co-workers from WVU. They’ve done just fine. Some very well.
Go to WVU, do well, maybe pick-up a double major and enjoy the honors program. You can certainly find parties there but there’s serious students there as well. Most schools fit into this group.
Employers are aware that state schools have top tier students. I’m more familiar with Pitt but any student who gets into the honors program and wins a named scholarship gets noticed. Employers and grad schools know these type of kids could’ve gone to a HYPSM but for other reasons like finances couldn’t attend.
1 Like
Why would you be nervous? WVU is a typical solid flagship like many other. I work for someone who went to Auburn Montgomery and an MBA from Memphis. Our head guy went to Fairleigh Dickinson. We have Vandy, UGA, Florida on the bottom. You all put way too much into the - Michigan > WVU, etc. Maybe at the beginnng but over time you will bear out.
They are paying you to go - that’s a guarantee vs. you having to pay. Hopefully another on your list comes with the $$ you can afford. But if not, then you deal with what you have and you optimize it.
You don’t know now (you just think you do) as to whether grad school is coming. Some employers require it - my son had a few offers - one at Gen Dynamics that required you to start in 6 months). You’re too young to know now…but if you don’t want to go, then you won’t go.
All schools have parties and all have kids who don’t. You just have to find your group. My kid goes to the ultimate party school - but they don’t…
You will have opportunities to excel anywhere and everywhere. I get maybe WVU won’t be the one that fits you best - but if what’s where you end up, take advantage of every prof willing to mentor you, research and more - and you can have a wonderful experience and fine outcome.
No point in worrying about things you couldn’t get - for whatever the reason. That said, maybe another will come in at a level that you or your family is better able to afford.
But WVU gave you an unbelievable offer - you just need to learn that it’s WVU and not UVW!!
I am sure you can make your way at WVU and be successful, but I also don’t think your fears are unfounded.
All flagships are not created equal, and some are less safe, less serious, and less marketable than others. If you end up at WVU, do your due diligence to find the path that will suit you best in all respects.
You have some great choices remaining and I do hope you are accepted at one of them. Incurring some debt at one of them over no debt at WVU may indeed be a wise investment.
3 Likes