<p>Hello everyone. I am a transfer student that got accepted to George Washington University for fall 2013. May I add that I was rejected from Bucknell, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, and Dickinson College. I already have my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. I would be switching to Political Communication or Political Science or something along those lines. I am trying to justify the cost of attendance vs. the prestige of the institution. I haven't received my package yet but I made 21k last year and I am an independent. How much do you think I will have to take out loans for? Will I pay sticker price? At what amount is too much to go there for that major? </p>
<p>I just don't want crippling debt for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>GW does not guarantee to meet need for anyone. Even schools that guarantee to meet full need, often except transfers. They just are not a college’s first priority and they get what’s left a lot of time. So it’s hard to say what you will be getting.</p>
<p>Do you have a less expensive option, like a state school a commuter school? GW’s location is wonderful for your major, opportunities galore, but when it comes to whether or not you can get a job with that major that PAYS more than what you would find graduating from another school, is questionable. If you volunteer for campaigns and work for politicians, and go for local internships in the field, you might do just as well. My DH’s colleague’s son graduated from GW with a double major, one of the Poli Sci, with a 3.5+ average, and though he’s had the most marvelous, wonderful experiences, he’s been out of school for more than two years and can’t find a paying job. All kinds of volunteer work, but no money. He spent a year, close to two, in DC until the parents finally pulled the financial plug, after they got tired of subsidizing his amazing and impressive experiences. </p>
<p>GW is one of the most expensive schools in the country, so you are talking about $140K to get through two years, with interest accruing. THeir upperclass dorms and apartments are expensive, if you get housing and finding inexpensive housing in DC is a challenge. As an independent, you can take out about $10-12K in Direct Loans on your own, but after that you will likely need a cosigner for the rest. The loans will just about cover what you most certainly will be expected to pay at best, given your salary from last year.</p>
<p>Agree with prefect, wait for the numbers to see.</p>
<p>GW is expensive, as are all the colleges listed that the OP also applied to. To counter the anecdote in the previous post, I know several Poly Sci majors, from GW and other schools, who have found jobs in DC. Niece has moved easily from one job to another when she wanted a change. I don’t think it is necessary to go to GW for poly sci, but it does offer a lot of opportunities for internships during the school year. My D graduated last year from GW with intl relations/economics double major and is doing very well. She credits those internships she was able to do with her success.</p>
<p>Oh, I know many, many Poli Sci majors from GW, Georgetown, American, all who credit their schools for the jobs that they have gotten. And some from SUNYs as well. My close friend’s DD is making 6 figures a few years out of college with a Poli Sci degree from U of IL and beats out any of the DC school grads. But…I also know scads of them who are struggling in finding anything at $30K or anything that is what one thinks about as a “real” job after college. Like many, many, many of them. More than not. It’s no automatic entree into high paid positions. Some students feel like just taking that yellow brick road will lead you to the Green of OZ in terms of dollars. Nope. If the OP has to borrow most of the cost, I don’t know how likely it is going to be for him/her to get a job that can cover that cost with a Poli Sci degree from GW. Take a look at GWalum 's posts. He graduated from GW and is living the life of paying back loans to go there, and he is a successful grad. </p>
<p>I can say with NO qualifications that the experiences and opportunities that a DC based school offers students are wonderful and difficult to match from else where. Nothing like being on site and where the action is. Parlaying it into a paying job when the major is one that has a lot of competition is a whole other story. Even more of an issue if one is talking about taking 6 figure loans to pay for the experience.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m hallucinating, but I think this student (who has several threads going on the same topic) already GOT his financial aid package…and is about $9000 short.</p>
<p>Yes–the original post in this thread pre-dates the receipt of the package. This thread has been superseded by he other, and should probably be locked. It would have been less confusing if OP had just added his GW financial aid award to this thread instead of starting a new one.</p>