<p>Hi everyone.
This is my first entry but I have read a lot of your discussions and it helped get me through the month of march.
My S was admitted to BOCO as well as other BA/BFA.
Just got the $$.
62K-
any thoughts?
S desperately wants to go and feels he is settling for other schools
due to $$
and chances of success are further limited...
Thanks for reading....
D</p>
<p>What are his other choices? How large is the difference in costs from Boco to his other choices? Can he work in summers to hel with his school year expenses? Can he work during the school year to help?<br>
Hard to say not knowing what schools you are choosing between.</p>
<p>BOCO is expensive. Boston is an expensive city. I personally think it’s an awesome school with an extremely warm vibe. I know they don’t offer much in the way of scholarships, but I think if you call them and ask for non-loan gifts and work study, there’s a chance they’ll offer something. It might not be much, but if you have acceptances elsewhere you can let them know what they’re up against. Let them know it’s your first choice and you want to make it work. It can’t hurt. </p>
<p>thanks all! great suggestions…
other choices are no bargain and run in the 30s.
ugh…starting to rethink how i lived my life…</p>
<p>You say the other choices run in the 30’s- are you talking $30,000 per year vs. $60,000 per year for BoCo? If that is the case that is a huge difference when you look at 4 years- $120,000 vs. $240,000. That is a huge amount of money to spend but it is all relative to what you can afford. If you are funding this with debt than I would say it is time to start looking at other options. Can you tell us what his other options are and if they are more affordable?</p>
<p>Our freshman son loves it at BoCo. However, if finances are a concern, check out the total costs carefully. This past year, the billed costs for our son were just over $60K, including an additional 30 minutes per week of private voice lessons (only 30 minutes are included in tuition) and the full meal plan. Then add travel, books, spending money, etc. we assume it is about $70K all in. Many of his friends have some type of work study through the school. </p>
<p>BOCO is a great place, but it makes me sad to think that your son would feel that his chance of success would be limited if he went elsewhere. There are so many great programs out there, and people succeed in this business from all different schools, and even NO school. In fact, less debt and having a bit of a financial cushion could certainly help him 4 years from now. My daughter turned down BoCo last year, is very happy where she is and feels she is getting top-notch training, and appreciates having a little financial breathing room.</p>
<p>OMG --I read your post and it describes my son to a T. This has been a topic of discussion at our house since April 1st. Ours had a total of three acceptances which we are so grateful for, but BoCo offer no scholarships to him at all, whereas the other two were very generous. After a week of thinking of every possible scenario, frustration at cost, consulting with vocal coach, gnashing of teeth by son who considered it to be the ultimate for his career in terms of networking and connections (don’t know why he feels this way other than knowing a few graduates and THE NAME), we finally decided that we are just not comfortable going into the amount of debt all of us (him included) would have to bear to get him through! And we want to be able to help him get on his feet once his finishes school and begins auditioning in earnest–if there were guarantees in this business that would be one thing–but there are not! He’s accepted the fact that we live in the real world and that he needs to move on and decide between his other two choices. Believe me, it was not an easy conversation to have because you hate to disappoint them, but it has to be the best thing for the whole family (we have one in college who graduates early next December but has grad school ahead of her). I’m a firm believer that all things work out for the best and that ultimately much of his success will depend on him! Best of luck in making the best decision for you all!</p>