<p>Okay, here is my situation. I applied to a bunch of schools and I have narrowed it down to Cornell, Penn State's Honors College (Schreyer), and Penn (Ben Franklin Scholar).
My parents own a farm and recently got a large gas lease spiking our efc to....90,000.</p>
<p>My parents combined make under 80,000 a year, so clearly our efc is not 90,000.
Penn State would cost me roughly 19,000 with the shreyer scholarship and not counting my 5,000 loan.
Cornell and Penn both gave me just a 5,500 loan. My parents have been in contact with both financial aid offices explaining our situation, and I am up for re-evaluation for both schools. Without any more aid, I would basically be paying full tuition and room & board. The farm still hurts my chances of getting anymore aid.</p>
<p>I have to pay for the majority of my education. My parents need the gas lease money for retirement and can't sell the farm (which is what the Ivys are basically suggesting)</p>
<p>The question is... where do I go?</p>
<p>You didn’t say if you were in PA or out of state; however, since gas leases are the big thing now, I am assuming you are in PA. I am from Central PA, near State College. You will get an amazing education there. PSU has a reputation for being a party school, but that does not mean you have to be a part of that scene. There are many students that don’t party, and financiallly, I would think PSU would be your best bet. PSU has a world class reputation. </p>
<p>Our financial circumstances made D’s best bet Cornell, but unless Penn and Cornell can give you more FA, your debt after graduation will be unreal. I wouldn’t suggest anyone assume that amount of debt in this economy.</p>
<p>I am in state for psu</p>
<p>Try getting more money from penn and/or cornell. PSU is a great school, but it’s a shame u r not getting money</p>
<p>The SHC is one of the most prestigious honors programs in the country and I know of at least four different students from this year’s class and last year’s class that were perfectly qualified for tippy top HYPSM schools (and at least one that rejected one of those schools for the same reason as you, finances) and are now at PSU or are heading there. If you don’t get enough money from Cornell to come within a few thousand of your costs at Penn State, go ahead and take the offer at PSU. Heck, at my high school, the kids that get into SHC are considered more accomplished than the kids going to other top schools (a lot of people here could care less about Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, or Tufts–but Penn State elicits a response, which could turn into job offers, etc…–PSU alum take care of their own and they are EVERYWHERE in this part of the country). Plus, the exclusive opportunities they give to Honors kids (it’s not just a label like at other schools; the SHC is almost a college by itself) are amazing for a big research university. If PSU is a fit lifestyle wise (make sure to visit, especially for a school like PSU–you’re either gung ho on it or wayyyy turned off), I wouldn’t hesitate taking their offer. Congratulations!</p>
<p>It is very true about SHC at PSU. From D’s school, the top 5% (with the exception of D) are all going to Penn State.</p>
<p>follow your dreams. the rest will fall into place. </p>
<p>if you have no real preference, head to SHC!</p>