Florida State vs Indiana

Thank you for your feedback.

My daughter did not apply/get into a special program at FSU. The Business School track at FSU begins in her sophomore or junior year, I think. As a Kelley direct admit she will be immersed into the business program day one at IU.

I have savings set aside for her college education but that $100K difference in tuition can be applied to grad school, etc. It’s not an insignificant amount so I want to make sure the return on investment at IU-Kelley is worth it in the long run. I also have 2 other kids that will be starting their college education in the next 2-6 years.

Kelley is my daughter’s top choice if money was no object. She was “surprised” by the merit scholarship awarded to her by FSU. The significant difference in cost of attendance made it a tougher call (mostly from my perspective…but it’s a “family decision”).

Thank you again for your perspective.

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I wouldn’t think MBA for now. They’ve fallen out of favor for many reasons. It’s not the golden ticket anymore (I have my MBA from many years ago). Undergrad business schools have gotten so much better that an MBA isn’t required.

S20 looked at Kelley but decided it was too big. He’s at GT but switched from business to ISyE.

S21 also got into FSU, Honors, and tuition waiver but he’s interested in film/video. Lots of businesses including investment firms are relocating to Florida. Proximity to Atlanta is also something to consider. If your daughter is adamant about returning to NY/NJ I think Kelley would be a better choice.

If Kelley requires debt to attend I’d look at FSU. If not, I’d probably say Kelley especially with direct admit. Maybe also consider a GAP year. Even with the vaccine I still think it will be another 2 years before colleges get back to normal including internships. Too many unknows at the moment.

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Here’s one more thing - your daughter wants to study business - but does she really? Lots of kids in business and engineering start in that major and then decide it’s not for me and transfers out.

You have more kids? You should do FSU.

You can move one kids 529 to another (it’s a process but can be done). Now take your $20K a year difference and multiply by the same amount for your next kids.

So FSU is almost a must.

I do find it interesting - a lot of us seem to play within the same schools - like for us, it’s FSU, UF, IU, UGA, U of SC, UNC, Pitt, Miami and Miami OH, etc…oh and my daughter’s favorite - not the cheapest and the least pedigree - College of Charleston.

Yup same parents, different boards. My S applied to business, UGA, OSU, UF, FSU, IU, Purdue , Minnesota, Iowa State, Alabama. Narrowing down the list to 6, dropping IU due to relatively high tuition after scholarship. I’m still following on this and some other boards, interesting to hear the different perspectives.

If cost is the factor, you can’t beat Alabama - and by the way, they may be a lesser school but they have the best internship placement…read that somewhere. With a 30+ ACT and good grades, Alabama is ridiculously cheap. And really really nice. My son, an engineer, was headed to Purdue which is great…til he saw the dorm at Alabama and realized Purdue had a housing shortage and he might end up in a Purdue sponsored miles away apartment.

Arizona another great if cost a factor as is MS St. FSU too with the OOS waiver.

How many of these schools has your son been able to visit? Which ones appeal the most?

UGA attracts very good candidates from our TX HS. On par with UT-Austin.
The Carlson School is close to a lot of great hiring companies if one wants to do corporate finance or marketing. Same is true for tOSU. And UF seems very strong in financial services according to resume books I’ve seen.

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We’re going to Minnesota next weekend. My oldest just graduated from Purdue past year (CS), and S has done several summer things there so no need to visit again. He’s admitted into the integrated business &engineering major there. Hoping to hit FSU (OOS waiver), UF, and UGA (if get merit for latter 2) over spring break, and will pop up to OSU later in the month. Scholarships from these schools range from 10k to 22k so far. Applied to Alabama on sort of a whim, scholarship is outstanding (28k!), may work it into the spring break

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This is not correct. Florida has a form to fill out to apply for residency, and it asks where the parents are residents.

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It’s not as easy to get legitimate in state status as some people think. It involves everything from drivers license, registering to vote, employment or tax returns, other indicia of presence and legal residence.

In the end, you have to plan for the “legitimate” tuition. Gaming the system will get you caught. If you don’t qualify, you don’t qualify.

Unless Indiana gives you an incredible offer, FSU even full pay is less.

Then you are back to - is the “pedigree” or connections of the school worth it.

We all have opinions - and that’s a personal one.

To me, IU is just another state school, like FSU. If you want to look at stats, FSU is better. Business reputation is IU but that alone doesn’t guarantee anything.

Which is the better fit? For example, my daughter took IU off the list. Beautiful school, wonderful opportunities. I have no idea why - she just said she liked it but didn’t have the “spark”. Same thing she said about Miami OH.

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In most states it will still come down to where the parents are residents. Two states, Utah and Missouri, allow the student to establish residency. In most states, even an independent (for tax purposes) adult is still tied to the parents for financial aid and state tuition purposes. California is almost impossible. Florida is tough, even if the parents own a second home in Florida.

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