I am a high school senior stuck in between two colleges–our state flagship and another public in-state school that is also more of a traditional college than a commuter school. The flagship is ranked significantly above the other school, but the other school gave me a much better scholarship, much more significant scholarship. I truly feel as though I would be happy at both, but I have been wondering if the flagship school is too big and if my professors would be accessible (I am studying engineering, so I want them to be available). However, I also feel like I worked too hard in high school to not go to our flagship school because the other school has a bit of a “party school” reputation and isn’t as strong in the area I am studying. Both institutions are accredited by ABET.
My parents want me to commit to the non-flagship school, but if I do that, will the other school not tell me what my need-based aid is? That would help me make my decision, but my parents want me to commit so I don’t get jipped out of things like dorm rooms and orientation dates. If anyone has any information it would be greatly appreciated!
^That depends on the school. Some schools (unscrupulously, IMHO), make you deposit for enrollment before you can make a dorm deposit. And usually the enrollment deposit is non-refundable. What does the Net Price Calculator for the flagship look like for you? Does it look affordable?
Both schools make you submit a deposit for enrollment along with a dorm. The flagship is not very affordable, and I know from friends, relatives, and acquaintances who have gone there that there are a lot of extra costs that aren’t included in tuition. The other school is much more in my budget and does not have any hidden fees because they have this new tuition program that includes lab fees and such too.
The flagship is not very affordable, and I know from friends, relatives, and acquaintances who have gone there that there are a lot of extra costs that aren't included in tuition.
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what are your parents SAYING about paying for the costs of the flagship? Will they PAY for it? If not, then the question is moot unless you qualify for a LOT of FA.
@mom2collegekids, The two schools are Ohio State and Ohio U. I don’t think we’d be able to pay for OSU without taking out some loans, but I probably won’t have to take out any if I go to OU.
^ I was thinking OSU and Miami, LOL. OSU just sucks for need-based aid, and merit aid too, for the majority of students.
OSU won’t find out you put a deposit down at OU. You’ll still be able to see their package and if it’s a happy surprise, you can switch but you might lose some or all of the OU deposit.
Ok…so they’re both party schools. OU isn’t more of a party school than OSU, so no worries there. And again, eng’g students are typically “more serious students” so it won’t be much of any issue anyway.
As for the loans…you need to talk to your parents about that. YOU can only borrow $5500. and that will already be in your FA pkg…so you can’t use it towards whatever your parents have to pay.
Many parents are not willing or able to borrow to cover what the family is supposed to pay since it will leave them with too much debt by the time the child graduates. Plus, if there is younger kids to put thru college, that is another concern.
Your parents may already realize that OSU isn’t affordable which is why they’re pushing you to deposit at OU.
Have your parents run the Npc for OSU so you know what your FA pkg is likely going to be.
Sorry m2ck, I disagree with a couple of points. First I think that OU is much more of a party school than OSU. Ohio State has become MUCH harder to get into and has more serious students than OU.
My S looked at both schools and there is a huge difference in the quality of the engineering departments. Ohio State has a very highly respected engineering department and OU had scandals associated with it and I felt that it was not strong. In fact we looked at almost every school that offered engineering in the state of Ohio and rated it dead last. Honestly we were not impressed at all. We did not look at Akron or Wright State but I would put them ahead of OU.
Sorry OP, I know OU offers great scholarships and I think for certain majors it is a great school. But I thought it fell short for engineering. This is my personal opinion of course, but Ohio State is by far the better school for your major. Do you have other schools you are considering?
If OU is affordable is it because if more merit? Did you consider Toledo at all? Is it too late for merit there? I was under the impression that Toledo pharmacy school and engineering was good.
@mom2collegekids I have a 4.1 GPA and got a 33 on my ACT. It will cost about 19k for OSU per year and 12k for OU when scholarships are applied with the meal plan and room I’d probably get. My parents can pay 10k. I applied for some outside schplarships and am going to continue applying so hopefully I can get a few thousand dollars.
@deb922 I have never heard of any scandals. Please enlighten me. Also, kids who go to college just to party rarely stay in school. I know OU has fest season, but its not like gamedays at Ohio State aren’t huge drunken events either. Even though Ohio State’s program is better, they also weed out a ton of kids who are extremely smart and serious about school. My second cousin went to OU for engineering and has never been without a job, really good jobs too. And it will be either OSU or OU. I also looked at cincinnati and akron but I don’t want to go to a commuter school. I didn’t like miami. So it’s either Ohio state or OU. I honestly felt like OU’s buildings for engineering were kept in much better shape from what I saw, some of Ohio states buildings are old and need work.
@mommdc, I didn’t look at toledo, and I think I missed the deadline. I always thought it was more of a commuter school and id rather go to cincinnati or akron over UT.
A lot of people have told me that as long as you get a degree from an accredited program, have internships or coops, and good extra curriculars, you will be competitive in the job market if your grades are where they need to be. I’m just wondering if a degree from Ohio state would lead to THAT MUCH of a better job. I feel like I’d have the least chance of success there because the classes are so huge and you’re competing with thousands of other kids for a spot.
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Sorry m2ck, I disagree with a couple of points. First I think that OU is much more of a party school than OSU. Ohio State has become MUCH harder to get into and has more serious students than OU.
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@deb922
lol…I don’t care how hard it is to get into a school, that doesn’t make or not make it a party school. There are ivies that are party schools. Virtually every big Div I sports school is a party school.
serious students party…just look up MIT parties on youtube…and why are most of my WashU nephew’s facebook pics shown with a red cup in his hand?
With your stats, you could have gotten better merit at better schools.
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Tuition and fees $10,037
Room and board $9,850
Books and supplies $1,248
The above basic school costs are about $21k
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Estimated personal expenses $2,332
Transportation expenses $122
Estimated Total $23,589
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The above costs are for OSU for the current school year. Who knows what they’ll be for next year or the following years.
You can take out a $5500 loan and add that to your parents’ $10k
You can work over summers and maybe earn/save about $2k which will cover books and maybe some money towards R&B… Start looking for a summer job with a LOT of hours ASAP…you’re going to need that money!
You’ll need a part time job during the school year to cover any uncovered costs plus to give yourself some “pocket money”…which you will need!
Hopefully you’ll get some scholarship money, but be aware that those awards will probably only be for frosh year.
It doesn’t look like OSU would be totally impossible. Ask your parents if you can also have the Tuition tax credit that they’ll get in future years (if they qualify).
M2ck, I know that all schools can be party schools and I know that you can be a serious student at any school. But in Ohio I think that most would say that more serious students go to Ohio State. And that OU has the reputation of being the biggest party school in the state. I know ohio state has a big football culture but it’s also known as being a great flagship for a serious student. It’s more than football, just like Alabama.
@sparkly16 Son was in the same position with the exact same schools (only 2 in Ohio that offered Meteorology)…OU offered $1,000 more in merit aid then OSU, but he decided on OSU based on his visits. NPC was basically the same at both schools (at least for us)…and we are full pay except his merit aid. Personally, I felt OU was disorganized during our visit and not very professional, OSU was run like a machine…cost is important, but what was your general feeling at each school? Too bad you couldn’t still try Toledo…they have a great co-op for Engineering (nephew will be attending in fall). Good Luck on your decision!!!
@sparkly16
Sounds like you really prefer to attend OSU. Then it is worth taking the risk concerning dorms and orientation dates; both of which have minimal effect on your actual education… and the dorms probably have only a small effect on the cost of your education.
Nonetheless, be prepared to attend OU. The cost difference is important and OSU is known to be very stingy with aid. Maybe you can get an outside scholarship, but those are difficult to get; especially if you have not already applied for them.
