<p>See, if you can get a RA postion sophomore year and keep it through senior year, we are talking about a big cost savings (21k at Umass alone). </p>
<p>Personally I would take Northeastern (all though I love their co-op plan) and Udel off the table because of the 20k of unmet need at each school.</p>
<p>I think that if you can, you should visit all of them and see which one is the best fit for you (if you have friends at any of these schools, maybe you can also talk to them about the +s and -s of each school)</p>
<p>What are the "perks' that come with the honors college at Umass? the great thing about most honors programs that if that they make a large school much smaller (giving you the best of both worlds)</p>
<p>I know that on of the good things about UMass is that you will have the opportunity to take classes at the 5 college consortium, so you have Amherst, Mt holyoke, smith and Hampshire along with their resources as class/course options in addition to events that are done through the 5 colleges. If you can get a RA position, it would trim your out of pocket expenses down to 4k a year (which you feel your parents can comfortably handle).</p>
<p>Yeah, I decided to take out northeastern. That does help a lot, sybbie. so far, UDel is my clear favorite, I love it and visited campus but they gave me no financial aid, should i still be considering them?</p>
<p>I understand how you can love Udel and there are a lot of NYers there, but it seems that the relationship is a bit one-sided as Udel is not showing you any love (no $$). You will have to determine whether the 60k out of pocket (50k if you can get a RA position) in addition to the loans is going to be worth it</p>
<p>60k? It will be more, wont it? They gave me $7,500 in financial aid (5,500 in loans and 2,000 in work study). That would mean basically 27k-7k from parents =20k per year so thats a total of 80k. Less if I get a RA position.</p>
<p>From this parent's perspective, I really don't count loans as financial aid because down the line it is money that has to be paid back, so they are not really "giving" you anything.</p>
<p>UMass, it's as good as any of the other schools on your list, they're offering you a place in the honors program, and the money is right. To me, it isn't even that close.</p>
<p>I know what you mean but I really like UDel and UConn. Should I be considering UDel since they are giving me so little money? WOuld it make sense to still go there even though I would be around 80k in debt?</p>
<p>Only you can answer this question. There are so many like you who went the heavy debt load route and are regretting it years later. If you were my kid, I'd say go to UMass. Here's something else to consider:</p>
<p>Thanks, that was really helpful. That's why I eliminated Northeastern. UNH is a bit on the far side, five hours away for my parents, so right now it's ranked fourth. UDel is my favorite school but is it too expensive for me? Should I still visit or just take it out of my list now. UConn and UMass are tied for first because of the financial aid they give me.</p>
<p>One of the biggest advantages to going to a public university for most people is the low cost. However, these are all out-of-state schools to you.<br>
Did you not apply to in-state publics at all? None of these schools are more prestigious than the publics in your home state.</p>
<p>I did but I don't like them as much as those schools. I got into SUNY Stony Brook, Albany, New Paltz for the fall semester and Binghamton for the spring semester.</p>
<p>I can understand wanting to get away from NYers and maybe even long islanders, however I think that Danas is right that Stonybrook and Bing both give a comprable education for much less money (which means you will probably have less debt since you are also eligible for TAP from these schools).</p>
<p>I also understand what you guys mean but I visited the campuses and didn't like them at all. I can't see myself staying in NY, I have to get out and experience something new.</p>
<p>I totally understand the need to experience something new as my D said she did not want her entire educational experience to take place on the island of manhattan. However, do any of the schools offer exchange or study abroad programs and since here will be a large number of people it is not like you won't get to see new faces.</p>
<p>So can anyone help me between Delaware, UConn and UMass-Amherst Honors? I like Delaware the most but would it be worth it. Look at the first page to see what I mean.</p>
<p>Linkin, I hear what you are saying loud and clear. My D was thrilled to be accepted to Delaware just like you until the "award" letter arrived. As someone just posted, they aren't "showing her any l$ve" She was offered a little more than you, $13k but that's a drop in the bucket considering that it is with work and loans. As someone else stated, it isn't an award if you have to pay it back. I am discouraging her acceptance because I am a realist and I would hate for her to be saddled with that kind of debt after graduation. I tried phoning UDel, but they aren't budging on the $$. Ultimately, you and her will have to decide if Delaware is worth that kind of an investment. I know you want it bad, (it is such a cool campus, isnt it) but let's face it, it's a bit out of reach and hardly worth that kind of debt (thanks Sybbie). Let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>UMass has cross-registration with other schools, including Amherst College. It's big, but looking at your list you seem to want big. It's not anywhere near a city though, like some of your other choices.</p>