I can’t afford cornell… … … is there anything I can do? besides selling my soul and/or body.
Pick an affordable school?
I don’t have any magic advice, you are in the same situation as many. Did you get into any financial safeties?
yeah i did… rose-hulman with a full scholarship, usc with 40k, usd with 25k, bu with 20k, etc
i’ll be fine but it sucks.
This is your list according to another post a couple of days ago.
So…which of these schools is affordable. Rose Hulman is not on this post…why? Neither is USD.
For undergrad research, you want to pick a place where undergrads actually have good opportunities for research. At many of these places, you will have to work with the department get research opportunities, competing with masters and doctoral students.
And research in what field? That could make a difference too.
You have a list of acceptences. Which ones are affordable? How much WILL your parents contribute annually? Start there.
Re: Cornell? How much aid did you get from Cornell?
hey @thumper1 i’ll just respond on this thread 
I didn’t add rose-hulman or USD because I am not interested in studying there. I got into other schools too like AU and GWU that I didn’t add either for the same reason. But since both AU and GWU gave me ~30k my dad wants me to consider them.
I did get aid from all the public schools mentioned above because I’m a permanent resident. (still int’l though)
So all I got from cornell was need-based (~10k) and it is not enough. because it would still cost about 50k.
I want to do research in molecular biology, immunology, microbio, etc
Then you need to look at the schools where UNDERGRADS are given significant research opportunities.
How much can your family afford to pay? It sounds like you got merit awards at some places, not need based aid. Is that correct? If so, you are comparing apples to oranges.
You are NOT considered international for admissions and aid purposes if you are a permanent resident. International is a whole other category.
@thumper1 I know. No idea, 40k-ish (including housing and all that) and yes anything I mentioned over 10k was merit, but cornell does not offer merit awards.
@cptofthehouse I didn’t know that lol cool I guess…weird…now I feel american haha 
You have a number of affordable options if your parents can contribute $40,000 a year. If you don’t qualify for need based aid, you won’t get it at Cornell. You can ask…but don’t be surprised if they say no.
yep @thumper1 and thanks! i just found out that my parents can afford cornell but want to save money for med school even though i’m not so keen about it but whatever i’ll work it out with them
This is a first world problem. You (your parents) have the money to pay for Cornell but want to spend it on something else (grad school). You can’t get to grad school until you go to, and pay for, undergrad. Pick a school. It doesn’t suck at all You have choices and you just don’t want to pay.
@twoinanddone I don’t know what the purpose of your message is, but I’d like to say that there’s more to it than just being able to afford it. My older brother goes to college in america and has one year left. When he graduates my parents will have to pay for his grad school as well. I also have younger siblings in high school. My father supports my entire family and we’re pretty big.
Regardless, thanks for your input.
Winningsince97. You posted that your parent was able to pay for Cornell. If that is not the case, please clarify.
If it is…and you would like to save your family some money, that is another story. Look at your acceptances, and your net costs to attend at those schools. Pick one that is more affordable in the big scheme of things.
You need to understand, not very many people can say they can pay the full cost of attending Cornell for four years which will be in the $250,000 range total. If your family can really do this…then you are indeed very fortunate financially.
Pick the place with the lowest net cost and then bank the difference for grad school, or whatever.
But yes…having the ability to pay 60,000 a year…and not wishing to is indeed a first world problem.
To be honest, even $40,000 a year is a lot for many, many families. You have options. Pick one.
I have a question for the OP, why apply to Rose-Hulman and USD if you do not want to attend? All the schools on your list should be schools you want to attend and you can afford. You have good choices so pick them the ones that are affordable Now.
Yes, they’re able to afford Cornell but not “in the big scheme of things.”
I know, I’ll pick one…
I applied to those schools mostly because my parents wanted me to and also because I needed to apply to “safety” schools.
A school that you’re not willing to attend is not a “safety” school.
Well if I had no other choice, then yes I am completely willing to attend rhit/usd.
From a fellow student: this is ridiculous. To answer your question, no, there’s nothing you can do. Either you’ll pay to go or you won’t.