So I’ve narrowed my college choices to just Duke or Schreyer and the decision is really gnawing at me. Two things sway me toward Schreyer - that it’s closer (I’m about three hours away compared to six or seven to Durham) and that it’s cheaper (they’re giving me 10.5k so I’d pay instate about 24k while at Duke I’d pay the full 70k). Money is not a huge factor and I know we could afford it but we’re the kind who have been tight for years living a poor man’s life and not spending any… if I go to Duke probably the bulk of our excess funds will be gone for my little sis in three years.
I also have a unique situation where my all four grandparents are still living and they count on my family for funds. You know, the no insurance kind of elders… My grandpa recently got cancer and the checks we mail out are draining. And it’s not just for sickness. We send money every new year and spring and that’s what they live off of. But the FAFSA doesn’t know that… I did find a form online regarding unusual circumstances but it titled “for events happening in 2014 for the 2015-16 school year;” I think I’ll email the finaid office and enquire further.
Is there a chance that I could get aid for future years? Say, pay the 70k this year and some less in the next three years. Are all the merit scholarships only for incoming freshmen? I’ll be sure to look for work studies and other jobs… but I’m not sure I’d qualify. Anyone have experiences with making this affordable?
My parents keep saying, “Is it necessary to go to Duke when Schreyer can give you just as good job opps in the future?” They did say that they’d support me if I choose Duke, so it’s not like I’m going completely against their wishes. They agree that Duke would probably produce the more rigorous/conducive environment as opposed to a large public school. Does anyone know here how being a Schreyer scholar differs from being a normal Penn State UP student?
Other than those two things I think I’d nearly always choose Duke; I thought it was a huge reach school and I’m thrilled to have gotten in. My admissions counselor even handwrote a letter and made it specific to my application Great advertising on their part for sure. I have older friends who go to Duke and love it, and Duke counselors have been visiting our school since freshman year, so I’ve always been interested. If not for Schreyer I wouldn’t even have to think.
I just really want to go to Duke. The atmosphere, the programs, the vibrant sense of community… Can anyone give me even more reasons to go to Duke? To make me feel less guilty about likely choosing it and paying so much when I didn’t have to. But I’m very open to convincing. I know what the sensible choice is.
I guess it’s important to mention my planned major. I’m thinking of going with statistical science but nothing is 100% certain yet. Maybe I’ll switch to engineering. Was nearly undecided. So that’s less of a factor.
I believe that the two will be just as good in terms of education, but that I’d maybe meet more enthusiastic/academically inclined peers at Duke? But hey it’s Schreyer and not just PSU itself…
What does everyone else think? Much appreciated!!
Priority class registration – never have to fight for a watchlist spot.
Honors housing – quieter, nicer, centrally located, don’t have to participate in housing lottery.
Honors classes – smaller, often more challenging, different curve/grading scale, more theory or material, motivated classmates.
Not that I’m biased or anything (:P) but that cost difference is big enough that it wouldn’t even be a dilemma if I were in your shoes. You want to pay $70,000 for the first year, plus three or four percent every year? You want to use up your little sister’s college money too?? I’d be pretty mad if I had an older sibling that got to go to school for $70k/year and caused me to go to community college, or a branch campus, to save money.
I think you should go where you want to go. If you can afford either then go to Duke because that’s what you want. I’m assuming you applied for need based aid from Duke and did not receive any? About your parents helping your grandparents, if they live with them or they support them then that should be disclosed on your FAFSA and your CS Profile. Dependents aren’t just children, they are anyone whom your parents support. Also will your sister be in college the same time as you at some point? If so, having two kids in college at the same time gets you more aid. Before my son applied to Duke we had a conversation about affording it. The bottom line for us as parents, and I think for most parents, is that we want our kids to go where they really want to. And after using the Duke’s net price calculator we discovered that, given our income, it was the same price for our kids to go to state university as it would be to go to Duke. It sounds as if your parents have a bit of a different outcome especially with Schreyer, but this is your choice and I think your parents truly want you to go where you want to. Also you undoubtedly know that the one of the reasons that Schreyer exists is to help Penn State keep fantastic students like you from going elsewhere. And here you are in that exact dilemma. Penn State is a great school and honestly you can’t go wrong if you go there. However, it sounds like Duke was a dream reach school for you and you got it! That’s a reality that’s almost impossible to ignore. I don’t know if I’m helping at all?
“Is it necessary to go to Duke when Schreyer can give you just as good job opps in the future?”
I’d say that is just not true at all. Schreyer and Penn State won’t give you just as good job opportunities as Duke plain and simple. Look how many Penn State students went to top tech companies, consulting firms, and Wall St and then do the same for Duke students. I doubt it will even be necessary, but then control for size of the schools. Many top tier companies come to Duke and just don’t go to Penn State, which makes it 10x harder to get these elite jobs when you just have to drop a resume rather than have on campus recruiting.
I think you need to have a serious sit down with your parents about how much they can afford.
Do they have a budget? Or 529 plan for you? Will your parents pay for tuition out of their salaries? Is there a slush fund for emergencies?
Although I love Duke I can’t see how putting your family under financial duress is a good idea.
Yes it is Schreyer. What is your end game? Save your money for grad school. State College is just as vibrant. Why buy an Apple when a Dell will get you what you for half the price?
If you want to do Statistical Science and plan on going to grad school, by on means go to the higher ranked school. Recommendations from renowned professors will be important for grad school admissions, and Duke Statistics is in the top 5-10 in the US.