<p>If I go to Smith I'll be a STRIDE scholar which includes a $5000 grant each year, but that isn't enough to convince my parents that Smith is worth all of the money. My dad thinks I just want to go to a Northeastern school because I think it's "cooler" and "different" but I won't get any better of an education for just $40,000 more. How did I convince him that I really will get a better education at Smith and that it is worth the money?</p>
<p>"How did I convince him that I really will get a better education at Smith and that it is worth the money?"</p>
<p>A better education? Where else have you been accepted?</p>
<p>I could go to BYU for free. I really don't want to, but it looks like that's what will happen unless I can convince my parents Smith is worth it.</p>
<p>wow, that's a tough choice, and the two schools couldn't be more different! if you're going to have to borrow all or most of the $160,000 (4 year at $40,000) that will certainly limit your options for after graduation.</p>
<p>Is attending BYU for a year or two, and then transferring to Smith, an option for you and your family? You might find that you love BYU so much you don't want to transfer...but if not, you've still saved yourself 80 grand.</p>
<p>Your Dad's right, you won't get a "better education" at Smith than at BYU. A student's college experience will differ between the two schools but that difference it isn't worth $160,000 unless you'd be extremely uncomfortable at BYU i.e. you're a lesbian or a radical feminist or an atheist. Would you be willing to pay for the cost of a Smith education? If so and you are eighteen, maybe you can convince your Dad to lend you the money and have a lawyer draft a legally binding note for the cost of a Smith education, but then it will likely be decades before you will have the note paid and be able to buy a house, etc.</p>
<p>BYU? Go figure... it's an antithesis to Smith. I dunno how to argue THAT</p>
<p>BYU is a great school if you are Mormon. They work everything around that Sophomore year missionary thing (girls go now, too) and a wickedly bad school if you are not. A serious, practicing Mormon could have a terrifically hard time socially at Smith. Your Dad holds the pocket book, but are you sure it isn't a philosophical disagreement rather then a monetary one? And, yes, BYU is so cheap compared to other schools if you get in there it is hard to say no to.</p>
<p>Well, everyone is always saying how open and welcoming Smith is and I assumed that applied to everyone, not just atheists. But since no one has yet defended Smith I'm thinking it must not be worth the extra $40,000, unfortunately.</p>
<p>The two schools are so very different...Have you visited both?</p>
<p>I think the reason no one's "defended" Smith is because if you need to borrow the increased cost of attendance, you'll have to pay back almost $1300 a month for the next fifteen YEARS after graduation. That's a crippling level of debt with a liberal arts degree.</p>
<p>Also, I don't think most of us who post on the board know a lot about BYU...most of us never considered applying there, because it's so different from Smith. Here's all I know: it's big, Mormon, has good foreign language programs as well as a home economics major, and many students get married, have kids, and/or go on mission during their time there). That's not really enough for us to draw the nuanced conclusions that you need to make the decision. </p>
<p>Smith is wonderful, and I know at least two LDS members who attended quite happily (one's finishing up her mission to France in a few months). Without knowing what exactly you want in a school, whether your family's preference is purely financial or also ideological, how much you'd have to borrow, and what attracted you to Smith and BYU in the first place, it's hard to advise you one way or the other, especially when the financial consequences of Smith are so great.</p>
<p>You may get a "better" education at Smith depending on what you want acadmically and socially from your college experience (I don't know enought about the academics at BYU to make a comparison) - - but that difference may not be worth $40K/year to you or to your family.</p>
<p>That said, it's hard to believe that BYU and Smith are the only 2 choices available to you since the schools are SOOOOO dissimilar.</p>
<p>I don't have any attraction to BYU. It's just my least expensive option and Smith is my second. The problem really is simply financial. My parents trust me to make my own decisions and am not overly worried about that aspect. I'm not eligible for financial aid but my parents think its silly to spend so much money if I could get a good education for free. They might be right, but I would much rather spend 4 years at Smith than at BYU, so I guess I'm being a bit selfish. I like Smith because of the lack of required classes beyond a first year writing class (BYU has a ton of requirements), the STRIDE program, the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford my junior year (I want to major in English with a minor in Women's studies), and the freedom to wear whatever I want and have my hair colored whatever I want. Right now I have a turquoise streak in my hair, something that wouldn't be allowed at BYU. Also, I am not planning on being on the market for marriage for quite a few more years. </p>
<p>As far as my situation financially, I really can't tell whether my parents can afford it or not because they don't give me a straight answer. My dad is a surgeon and says his salary is too unstable and he doesn't want to be poor by sending me to an expensive school.</p>
<p>The fact that you'd be studying as a STRIDE scholar changes the dynamic of your situation. Tell your dad that you'll have the opportunity to study on a personal level with an expert and well-connected professor; the STRIDE program could help you get a good job sooner in the field you're seeking to work in. </p>
<p>Also, seeing as you seem to be the sort of person with a strong individual streak in you, convince your dad that you wouldn't be comfortable and would be outcast at a place like BYU where uniformity is highly valued and certain types of self-expression are suppressed. </p>
<p>Have you tried seeking scholarships and things of that nature? It's a bit late in the game now, but you could tell your dad that you'll look into what type of merit-based aid you could get for your future years at Smith. </p>
<p>I'm severely biased by my own opinions, but I think you should take any measure to avoid spending four years at BYU...</p>
<p>One more thing: a miniscule bit of research just turned up that STRIDE is a paid research opportunity... you could figure out what the compensation is like and tell your dad you'll forward the money to him.</p>
<p>Sorry for the triple-posting but more keeps coming to me, lol... Tell your dad that Smith offers the benefits of the Five College Consortium, so you have access not only to the resources of Smith but also to those of Mt Holyoke, Amherst, UMass, and Hampshire... </p>
<p>And you might try playing the card that you'll be better off studying at a women's college where you won't be distracted by boys and their devilish ways... daddies love that one :P</p>
<p>haha, very funny Busties.</p>
<p>I agree with the posters. So many of us can't really compare Smith and BYU. But what you DO need to know is- are you planning on doing more education after Smith? Like law, med, graduate school? Because if you think you might want to do that- I would consider BYU because then you'll be able to graduate from undergrad debt free and have no problem taking on grad school debts. It'll feel good and many people who have this option have very little regrets doing so.</p>
<p>I had a roommate last summer who's a Mormon. (She is awesome by the way) She didn't go to BYU though- went to University of Utah instead. But from what I've seen and learned from her, she's quite independent about her choices, just like you. She has no regrets doing what she's doing now and putting off marriage for a while longer. Thankfully, she says, that her parents are liberal and concerned for their children's education. On the other hand, she adheres to a lot of Mormon beliefs including her dress and rest. The thing is for her is that the main reason why she chose to go to U of Utah was that it was cheap. Her family have 10 children which is common in Mormonism. So my question is- do you also come from a very large family? If so, that is another factor. If you DO come from a large family, I think you need to have a talk with the Financial Aid at Smith to see if they can increase your package.</p>
<p>So I think there are several more factors that you need to consider beyond the quality of education at BYU and Smith. I'm not saying you should go to BYU but you need to step back and look at a bigger picture- your family, your future, and your dreams. All of that have been discussed endlessly on these boards and there is just no right answer.</p>
<p>I want to thank you all for your responses. What I hate about this whole situation is that I feel I have no control. All of my friends are freaking out about getting into college, but that seems like the easy part! I guess I have some serious thinking to do, though ultimately, the power lies in my father (since I'm not willing to be $160,000 in debt).</p>
<p>If Smith isn't worth $160,000 of your future earnings, then it seems unreasonable to ask your father to spend $160,000 of his earnings on Smith.</p>
<p>I went to state schools (Univ of MD & Towson State) & Smith. I was a bit confused as a college student, partially due to my loving but domineering parents. You need to do what's best for you, not your parents. Getting into Smith is a big accomplishment, especially through the STRIDE program (from what I understand, anyway). If you're parents are willing to pay the extra cash, then do it. You can always transfer out to BYU or somewhere else if Smith is not what you're looking for. It's harder to go the other way (and Mom & Dad may not be willing anymore). I had a campus jobs at Smith that helped pay for my expenses, and my folks aren't poor. My dad got loans at Smith that helped ease the pain of the extra cost. Smith is a unique experience you will never forget. The education you'll receive there is top notch. Their Women's Studies program is renowned. You will be a stronger woman, Mormon & daughter with a Smith education. Good luck, and congrats!</p>