<p>Adult advice desperately needed, thanks a bunch. :)</p>
<p>My parents have pushed me (but have not forced me to) apply to Florida A&M University, an HBCU that was put on accreditation probation two years ago, because the university has extended a full ride (tuition, fees, room and board) to me on multiple occasions, including sending an admissions officer to my school specifically to extend the offer to me (I wasn't there). FAMU is not known for its fabulous academics (25% of its current freshman class scored below a 1220 on the SATs). The first time I was confronted with the merit aid I brushed it aside; a shady administration and FAMU's academic reputation is unsettling for any serious student. I don't consider my 2090 brilliant (spending too much time lurking on CC, perhaps), but I do know that I've worked too hard for FAMU, and I don't want to put myself in a position where my best option is that school.</p>
<p>The issue has again come up now that UAlabama has accepted me and given me a full-tuition scholarship and admissions into the Honors College; my parents want me to leave all of my options open but have allowed me to turn down FAMU anyway. I'm bothered either way - by not applying and having the aid Just In Case and applying and having to consider FAMU as a serious option. </p>
<p>Advice? I'm honestly torn. I don't want to be an elitist, ungrateful child, but I don't want to jeopardize my future success by attending an institution that can barely maintain its legitimacy.</p>
<p>What is your problem? You do not need to apply to a school just because it solicits your application. Go to Alabama, which is a fine university and sounds like it’s giving you a great deal.</p>
<p>@jingle - Not my problem; my answer was an instant NO. My parents, on the other hand, are slightly frustrated that I answered that way so quickly. I’m the kind of person that likes to think things through, even if it pains me. So I’ve thought about FAMU anyway, even though I really can’t stand the place.</p>
<p>As for UA, I’m not keen on UA personally, but objectively I have no problem with it and will go if my other schools don’t come through for one reason or another. At the end of the day I’m fine with it, and its TONS better than FAMU by far.</p>
<p>Go to Alabama honors college if that ends up being your best option at the lowest cost in the spring. Your parents allowed you to turn down FAMU so now you just need to see where you are when the remainder of your acceptances arrive. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Did you and your parents calculate their expected costs for the colleges you applied and did you apply to other schools you’d like to attend that are financially feasible? No high school student can possibly comphrehend what college finances cost in what it takes to amass what is expended. By the time my three are done we will have worked close to thirty years, the majority of which were economic boom times, to amass the savings that will have been expended and expected by the colleges which leaves us only alittle over ten years of working to have amassed what we need to retire on. Talk to your parents and don’t worry so much about prestige. A college degree is something only a small fraction of adults are able to attain.</p>
<p>There is a large difference between being “elitist, ungrateful” and having real concerns about accreditation. </p>
<p>The fact that you are willing to make UA work, despite not being keen on it shows maturity and anything but an elitist, ungrateful attitude. </p>
<p>You’re on the right track. Successful people make the most out of their situation, they don’t wait for the perfect situation to come to them. I wish you the best of luck, although I don’t think you need luck.</p>
<p>I’m all for great merit aid, but considering FAMU’s accreditation woes (BIG deal), that yoou have free tuition at Bama, and that Bama is much, much, more well-reputed school, I’d say there’s nothing “elitist” or spoiled at all about choosing free tuition at Bama. You could have work a part-time job to help cover room, board, and books, thus evening out things even more.</p>
We have and I did. But of course I worry if I did enough, you know? I’m the firstborn and my parents have shelled out thousands of dollars already for my private education, so rightfully or not I feel bad (for lack of a better word) about turning down scholarships. I applied to UA solely for the money - not for fit, location, atmosphere, or any of that jazz - and on a whim to boot, simply because I knew I’d get in and if nothing else, I’d have a guaranteed backup option that’s respectable and affordable.</p>
<p>But anyway, thanks for the advice. My decision to turn down FAMU makes sense in my head, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t making the wrong one, especially since my parents made a fuss about it.</p>
<p>You have a great financial safety in UA, one which you say you’re “fine with.” If you already have an affordable, acceptable option, I don’t really see any reason to bother with applying to FAMU.</p>
<p>However, I do think it would be wise to get your financial ducks in a row with UA and your other options as the admission offers come in. Find out what that room & board (as well as textbooks and the rest of your cost of attendance) will cost and get busy looking into third-party scholarships, financial aid, and work-study options to cover as much of it as you can. Seeing you pull your weight and take the financial side of the equation seriously should go a long way to easing your parents’ concerns. </p>
<p>Ok, so from what I gather you are an AA female attending a private school in the DC area, scored an 800 CR but a 580 Math and this was your final list: </p>
<p>Barnard College
Brown University
University of Cambridge, Newnham College (turned down)
Carleton College
Hillsdale College
Macalester College
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Mount Holyoke College
Smith College
Simmons College
Wellesley College
University of Wisconsin-Madison ED* (Applying to Posse program)
Yale University</p>
<p>Honestly, I think you will have some very nice acceptances (although I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hillsdale and Brown on the same list!) and the only issue is whether or not your family can afford it. I get the impression you are not low-income, are you? If you ran the calculators, can your family meet institutional expected contribution? If not, would you feel better targeting some more schools where you’re likely to earn merit money?</p>
<p>By the way, since you’re instate for Maryland, why didn’t you apply to your state’s flagship or St. Mary’s-- the public liberal arts college?</p>
<p>You need to go to college with your academic peers. Check out the midddle 50%ile test scores for schools and reject those with scores far below yours. Do remember that state FLAGSHIP schools will have two tiers- the average and the Honors students, as many top students can only afford their instate school. This is different than a secondary public college in any state. You can tell your parents that schools that are actively recruiting top students like you are desperate to upgrade their student body academic stats- it is not your job to go there so they can improve their stats averages.</p>
<p>You can also tell them it can worth paying some money if the financial aid package to a much better school than Alabama comes through. Therefore it is worthwhile for you to apply to some other schools you like much better that may be a better fit. You will have to evaluate any financial aid packages and the academic programs in proposed majors to determine the cost/benefits of schools. You may be pleasantly surprised at costs (including loans) at some private schools that interest you. At this stage it is good to have more than one option and to make the final decision next spring.</p>
<p>A low tier education for a top tier student is a mismatch. You can destroy all of the advantages your parents tried to give you with the private education they have invested in by attending a school that won’t give you the same peer group or academics. Wise to reject the recruiters (sometimes you get what you pay for- zero).</p>
Minus Wisconsin (didn’t make it pass Posse’s semifinalist round), plus Sewanee (applied EA for same reason as UA). But yes, you’re right that I’m not low-income (solidly middle-class); my family’s EFC is something my parents can handle without stressing out. All I can do at the moment is wait for spring and fill out outside scholarship applications.</p>
<p>OP- If you do the research you will find lots of schools that will offer you lots of merit that you would be happy at. No, they may not be brand names that many recognize, but good schools non the less. My S has applied to 12 schools: 6 are safeties that we know will offer him merit, 3 are match/safties that will probabaly offer him merit and 3 are reaches. He has told us he will be happy attending any one of them. He researched his intended major at these schools, they all have what he wants. Many of them will draw a blank stare from folks who ask where he is applying. Who cares so long as he is happy. </p>
<p>If you don’t like Florida A&M, find others that will offer you money and apply there.</p>
<p>another alabama one that would give your great aid is UAB… especially if you are interested in anything medical/sciences. It has outstanding research opportunities for undergrads. Also has a number of honors programs…ie my son is in sci/tech honors and chemistry scholars. NOt a traditional campus and it is not a big frat or football school.</p>
<p>Alabama’s Honors College has some outstanding classes and programs, so you will not be cheated if you attend the school. My son turned down some excellent schools and great merit offers to go to Alabama as a National Merit Scholar. (We live in Virginia) He has not been disappointed. His professors and various deans know him. He has been able to research as a sophomore with the professor of his choice.</p>
<p>Take a trip to Tuscaloosa. It is a beautiful campus. The dorms are pretty awesome (my son has his own bedroom in his four-person suite in a building just five years old). There is a commitment to upgrade or build new dorms and academic buildings. You may be very surprised when you see the place, meet with professors in your field of interest (and Honors College personnel who do care about you) and get a chance to sit in on classes.</p>