Originally deferred from Bates ED1 and found out today I was accepted. My dilemma is, when I was deferred from Bates
I applied to the University of New Hampshire and was accepted into the honors program with a full ride academic scholarship. Everything is paid for and includes a living allowance. It’s renewable every year based on my GPA. If I go to Bates I have to pay and take out a loan. Is it worth it to go to a Little Ivey school and take out loans or go to UNH. Over the 4 years I would have to pay about $50,000 for Bates. My family is lower middle class so we do get a lot of grants from Bates.
Personally, I would pick Bates simply because I prefer that type of school. But, if money is a deciding factor, UNH is a great deal. In the long run, which school you decide to attend will likely not alter how successful you will be, but there is the factor of paying back loans once you graduate from Bates. I would talk to your parents and list out the pros and cons of each option. Which school do you like better? Which school will provide you with more opportunities? Which school is better for your major? etc… Good luck in your decision!
UNH Honors Program unless Bates College increases its financial aid package.
What is your intended major?
Would you need $50k in loans for Bates? If so, some of this will need to be co-signed by your parents.
I am thinking that UNH with a full ride sounds like a really great deal. While you may be above average for the students there (based on your stats from another thread), there will be many other very strong students there, particularly in the honors college. Many very strong students will be there for the same reason as you: Affordability. A few might be there because UNH is in such an attractive location (at least in my opinion). I think that you will also find that UNH has demanding classes, and a wide range of subjects that you can study.
Having no debt at all will be a big deal a bit over 4 years from now when you graduate university and are looking for your first job.
12k a year for a school of Bates’ caliber is a bargain. If that’s what you have to pay, you can take 5.5k in your federal loans + 3k you can earn if you start working part time now and switch to full time after graduation + $3,500 from your parents. It should be doable. However if it is a hardship, you can email, say that clearly Bates is your #1 school, but your financial aid package while extremely generous makes things difficult -$2,000 may not seem like a big deal but it makes a big difference for your parents (and siblings) life. You can submit some proof of expenses (broken carburetor or leaky heater) and ask for professional judgement. Perhaps they’ll add $2,000 to your package.
Or are the 12k after loans - because I thought Bates didn’t package loans but I may confuse it with another Maine school.
An example: if you find an internship for the summer, Bates will give you a stipend to cover some costs, to make sure that you’re not barred from the opportunity due to parents’income. From that internship you’ll get better, paid internship offers which upon graduation you leverage into a high paying job. UNH won’t- it’s a Public school, they can’t subsidize internships. So you may be at home, working locally. Good money but not helping with your career.
So, in my opinion, Bates is a better investment.
@Lindagaf has a child at Bates and another child considering UNH so she may be able to provide concrete examples of the difference between the two schools.
Absolutely.
Depends in part upon the benefits of the Honors Program at UNH.
Going off my aid package I would have to pay about $34,000 for all 4 years and the rest in loans.
This is a tough choice. My daughter at Bates is happy. The classes are small. There are good connections. The quality of education is better at Bates. You will be with, on the whole, more motivated and serious students, and there are many opportunities to get involved in meaningful things. It has a better reputation than UNH. Bates is number 1 in Fulbright scholars this year, and students are accepted to med school and grad school at a high rate. If your plans include anything like that, maybe it’s worth paying something to get a superior education.
BUT, it is hard to say no to the money, right? My son really likes UNH and will definitely apply. It’s got a different atmosphere to Bates, and is of course much bigger. My son likes the laid back attitude and all the superficial stuff. No doubt the Honors college has more serious students, and if you are the kind of person who is very motivated, you can do well anywhere you go. The business college has a decent rep. It has an awesome vet tech program, I think. It depends on what you plan to study. I personally hope he doesn’t end up there, even though it’s not a bad school. I feel that if reputation counts for anything, UNH doesn’t have as good a rep as Bates. Son really liked it and doesn’t care so much about that. But I, as his parent, have made him look at schools that are better-known.
You should ask Bates if they can increase your aid. You can apply for scholarships. You can do work/study. Yes, you will still have to pay something. I would consider what your post-grad goals are.
“You should ask Bates if they can increase your aid.” from @Lindagaf
Also, make sure if you do not meet the Honors Program GPA requirements (3.2 first year & 3.5 subsequent years) that it does not affect your scholarship(s). Also, there are additional small scholarships available only to honors students at UNH.
Tough choice. Listen to one who knows.@Lindagaf
Do you have work study?
“about $34,000 for all 4 years and the rest in loans”
How much in loans total for 4 years?
You do also have to pay the loans, you just get to graduate first and then pay them.
I think off of reputation, I would pick Bates. I agree with mmb333; I also prefer that type of school. I think it comes down to personal preference weighted with how renowned the institution is. Congrats on the scholarship for UNH, but I think in the long run, despite the loans, Bates is most likely the best bet.
Is that 50-34= 16k in loans over 4 years, the subsidized federal loans, less than the federal total.
It’s not per year, right? But like 2.5k fresh, 3.5k soph, 4.5k jr, 5.5k sr? Or 4k/year?
Make sure to compare the full cost of attendance of each school. If you give us the breakdown for your awards at the two schools we may be able to help you unpack them.
I am estimating the total 4 years for Bates since the financial aid package is only for one year. The breakdown for the first year according to the package I received is $4,000 (parents contribution), $4,000 (student contribution), $2,000 (unsubsidized loan), $1,700 (work study). UNH is 100% cost of attendance while maintaining a 3.5 gpa. Plan on double majoring in Genetics and Psychology.
Congratulations, that’s an incredible package.
Do you have a job? If you can start working part time and saving some of it, plus working in the summer, you may be able to earn $4,000 and you’d only take $2,000 in loans. Or, you could take your full federal loans for $5500 and only have to find $500.
Based on this, I believe that Bates is the best value.
This is a tough decision because Bates is definitely a good liberal arts college - small class sizes, more prestigious.
However, the weight that would be taken off your shoulders knowing you won’t have any debt is honestly extraordinary. Many people don’t get the chance to graduate without having to worry about student loans and debt.
There’s no reason to pay that much for a bachelors degree, especially if you’re getting a full ride scholarship. If you’re planning to go into science, you’re probably going to go to graduate school anyway. You’re far better off going into grad school debt free.
Any science PhD worth going to will be funded. And op only has to pay about $500 for Bates direct costs (and not even full federal loans), a college that has opportunities and resources UNH simply can’t approach. “Free” is not always the best value - you have to look at what you get; sometimes, a little investment goes a longer way (here, in terms of network, resources, etc.)