<p>So Emory gave me 44k in FA, making me pay 8k out of pocket a year to them. Included in that 44k is 5.5k in loans... making it 22k in loans after I graduate, assuming my parents make the same amount of money every year, which has been the case for the last decade (except they made less this year).</p>
<p>My parents seem to think this amount is a lot.</p>
<p>Well, it IS a lot, though, in context, I disagree. Wouldn't getting a degree in a hard-science field from Emory be worth it? I've heard a few times that getting a degree in a science field makes things easier getting a job, as well as getting a job that doesn't pay a low salary.</p>
<p>My parents are suggesting me going to FSU instead, where I'd have to pay 4k every year and end up with only a few thousand dollars in loans after 4 years.</p>
<p>I seem to think paying 8k a year +5.5k loans for Emory > 4k a year +1-2k loans for FSU.</p>
<p>My grandparents have also agreed to pay for most of the 8k out of pocket cost anyway.</p>
<p>But then again, there is grad school to think about. But I think I'll be fine when I get a job as a pharmacist os psychiatrist (I'm leaning towards pharmacy because of the job availability). And I'm the person who'd get an apartment with no furniture and who would live off of ramen noodles, in order to pay back loans.</p>
<p>I'd like some more opinions from parents and other insightful posters!</p>
<p>(and if this post is horribly written, I apologize... since it's 1:30 am)</p>
<p>Seems like a very good finaid package to me.</p>
<p>Our experience is that the Cost of Attendance (52K in this case) is often higher than reality, if you’re frugal, since it includes books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, on top of room & board. So you might be able to shave a couple K there. Work summer for 2K, and work part time during the school year for 2K, and have your grandparents kick in a couple K, and you’re set with about 22K (maybe a few K more) in debt on graduation.</p>
<p>That’s probably mostly subsidized loans, I’d guess, which are the best kind, since interest doesn’t start to accrue until after you graduate. That’s pretty do-able, IMO.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to Emory vs FSU-- but you’ve got a very good finaid offer, and a very manageable debt load upon graduation at Emory.</p>
<p>FSU for undergrad, elsewhere for grad school. I guarantee chemistry and math will be the same. You’d have a more rounded, traditional college experience.</p>
<p>It’s an awesome financial aid package and I love Emory. Can only state what I’ve told my own daughter…no more than 25K in loans from a top university. Preferably less than 20K. She is working diligently to find outside scholarships that will reduce her contribution. Even if her freshman year is a bit loan heavy, if she achieves certain grades, more scholarships are available the second year.</p>