I got into my dream school yesterday, NYU. With scholarship & financial aid, there’s still no possible way that I could afford it. I live in Texas and have ill parents. How would it look if I were to decline admissions now, and apply to grad school at NYU later when I’m not dependent on my parents? Would this look bad on my application? Is it even possible to get readmitted? I applied because it was my dream school & I was hoping it would be possible but it’s really not looking that way anymore.
Your undergraduate application will bear no relationship to your future graduate application. It won’t look bad that you turned down their offer because no one will be looking at that data. By the time you apply to grad school you will be admitted based entirely on your performance as an undergraduate at whatever university you end up attending, your GRE or other grad/professional school test scores, recommendations from faculty, writing sample or other field specific materials, etc. So yes, there will be ample opportunity for you to apply to NYU or other top private or public universities for grad school (and in some cases funding to attend, depending on the program). But that’s a long way off, and for now you need to focus on your family and an affordable college education. I’m so sorry that your family circumstances are so difficult, and you should take great pride in having been accepted to NYU. It bodes well for wherever you end up attending college. Good luck!
Just follow the normal procedures for telling NYU you won’t be attending…it will have absolutely no impact on grad school. Grad school and undergrad admissions have nothing to do with each other.
Good for you for finding an affordable option.