<p>As a parent I can tell you that many of us are plenty worried about cost. And I have to warn you - come April you're apt to find out that your choices are severely limited by cost. The reality of $45,000/year may not hit your parents until then.</p>
<p>Have your parents filled out the financial aid calculator? That might give you a better idea of whether or not you will qualify for need based aid.</p>
<p>ND does not give out good merit money. Neither does BC, Villanova or Providence. Be very careful going into this thinking you can just borrow the money. That requires a lot of planning and reality checking. Here is a web site that help you estimate loan repayment amounts. <a href="http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml</a>
Look at that and think about what kind of salary you'd need, how much money you'd need for rent, a car, clothes, health insurance, etc. for various amounts you might borrow.</p>
<p>Univ Virginia and W&M are every bit as good a school as ND.</p>
<p>Do not worry about getting in over cost. It does you no good to just get in and then not be able to afford to go. Lots of kids load up their lists with wonderful schools they can't afford and then tack on one state school to pacify their parents. Guess where many of them end up? Find several financial safety schools that you like. Now.</p>