<p>I think the appeal of CSU is the college as a whole. She loved the campus and also loves the mountains. We have vacationed in Colorado many times. They also have a great community service volunteer program which she is interested in. Other than that, both colleges are the same size and offer most of the same majors. The town of Fort Collins however is more appealing and in the center of campus.</p>
<p>She has stayed overnight in Iowa with her sister once. Of course, that March weekend it was 12 degrees in Iowa and windy and the next weekend we were at Colorado State and the weather was 60 degrees and gorgeous. That didn't help!</p>
<p>One of the reasons she states she likes CSU is that she may never be able to live in another state like Colorado again which is true. We all know life happens and pretty soon you have a house, kids and a dog. I think the adventure of it also appeals to her but we have told her it's not vacation - it's the real deal. I think she likes ISU, she just likes CSU a lot more.</p>
<p>I'd have her make a realistic estimate of the amount of $$ she would be able to earn during the term--and call the school to make SURE that she would be able to get an on-campus job for X hours at about $X--then figure out summer earnings, then figure out how much you would be willing and able to contribute to the gap, and then figure out the debt that she would have to take out to cover the rest and what the payments would look like coming out of school. Don't forget to figure in tuition increases.</p>
<p>She can then make a choice. She may want to consider going to Iowa with the intention of getting great grades, and transferring after one or two years if she still wants to go west.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if your state university would be a cheaper alternative? If she could go there for one or two years and transfer to Colorado, would the savings make the $$ work better?</p>
<p>I understand how hard it would be to feel that you were squashing her enthusiasm...but there is nothing stopping her from going to Colorado or another mountain state after she graduates from college. People move all the time.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. You're right, people do move all of the time but I think she can see that most don't once they get jobs (at least not in our family - most of us have lived in the same area all of our lives or just live a few hours away). </p>
<p>As far as our own state universities she did consider Winona but wanted to go to a larger school. The others were not a consideration for a few reasons.</p>
<p>I just feel bad that we encouraged it and now we're reluctant. We didn't realize they would be that far apart as far as tuition and I probably didn't think she would actually want to move that far away! She's always been my homebody. This should be a lesson to other parents not to encourage application until you know all of the facts :)</p>
<p>I can't believe that I am reading some of the posts here. If it is $10,000 cheaper each year to go to Iowa State and assuming that they are equivalent in terms of programs and academics, TAKE IOWA! Not only will you save $10,000 per year,but you will save on cost of living increases and save on transportation. Over the four years, this could be as much as $50,000! Are you so rich as to not really miss an extra $50,000. In addition, do you have other children that will go to college? Would paying this extra money cut back on their choices?</p>
<p>Frankly, I don't understand why she won't go to your in-state university since it probably isn't worse than those selected.</p>
<p>My daughter has been accepted at Fordham LC and Skidmore; wait listed at Emory and Tufts. Deciding between Fordham LC and Skidmore presents these contrasts...Skidmore affirming community and she could major in the theatre program...Fordham...not accepted in the performance tract...can minor in theatre and reaudition in the spring of her freshman year or choose to wait and do it in the spring of her sophomore year...competition will be stiff...usually take 1 or 2 students.....if selects Fordham would major in English and minor in theatre, flipping this if she is able to get in performance tract, at Skidmore she would major in theatre and minor or double major in English...loves New York City...not wild about Saratoga Springs or the amount of snow she would have to deal with....loves Skidmore's programming as well as Fordham's...</p>
<p>anyone know how theatre minors are treated at Fordham...are they valued and included...she loved the warmth and respect between the theatre professors and their students...is this true in other disciplines? </p>
<p>community seemed easier to happen at Skidmore...anyone have any thoughts about Fordham...</p>
<p>"I just feel bad that we encouraged it and now we're reluctant. We didn't realize they would be that far apart as far as tuition and I probably didn't think she would actually want to move that far away!"</p>
<p>Hi Glacier.</p>
<p>Like you, we would have probably made a different list of schools. But here's the thing...You couldn't anticipate that ISU would offer your D more money than CSU, so you definitely should stop beating yourself up about that.</p>
<p>That said, I totally agree with taxguy on this one. It really makes no sense for D (and guilty parents) to go into debt for an additional $40K or more to go to CSU.</p>
<p>Using a couple of assumptions, I came up with $345/month on $30,000 of debt. Not great, but not as onerous as what some students think they can take on when they're just living in the clouds not in reality.</p>
<p>Let her think about what type of income she expects upon graduation and how this might impact her lifestyle. Living with roommates instead of alone could readily cover that monthly cost, for example. But the costs will go on for 10 years, so she needs to imagine and plan for that.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your help. You've given great advice from all sides. We're going to have a long talk in the next few days and weigh out the pros and cons and the financial issues. I'll let you know the decision.</p>
<p>Just bumping up for any more advice.... she still hasn't decided, but she will tonight. I will show her this thread and let her make the decision.</p>
<p>"One of the reasons she states she likes CSU is that she may never be able to live in another state like Colorado again which is true. We all know life happens and pretty soon you have a house, kids and a dog. I think the adventure of it also appeals to her but we have told her it's not vacation - it's the real deal. I think she likes ISU, she just likes CSU a lot more."</p>
<p>Life happens -- and lots of what happens is what you make happen.</p>
<p>If she wants to experience Colorado, she could choose to do that for internships, grad school, jobs after graduation. It's not as if life will sweep her unwillingly away....</p>
<p>She went with her heart - Just wanted everyone to know she picked Colorado after a long evening of discussion. After all was said and one it just seems to be the right choice for her. If not, she can transfer. Thanks everyone for your help - it was so appreciated.</p>
<p>Good for you and your daughter, Glacier. I bet the discussion will help her really appreciate and make the most of Colorado State. Fort Collins is supposed to be wonderful. All the best to her.</p>