<p>Hey so I've posted this in another forum but I would like to see your perspectives on this. So I'm going to be a senior and that means applying to colleges, yay! Anyway all my junior year I thought of going to more prestigious universities and that was that. But now that I'm out of the school setting and it's summer I'm starting to consider smaller, lesser known universities that are considered less reputable but still good. My reasons? Well I'm pretty sure I want to get a Masters later in my life or maybe even go pre-professional and I really don't want to spend as much money leaving college with a large debt. Yes I know there are scholarships but I'm now really just refocusing on good universities that'll give me the most in the long run. So here's the question: should I mainly apply to the lesser known universities and state flagships or should I aim real high for prestige?</p>
<p>You are smart if you will need money for grad school later on. You probably want to consider state universtities in your state of residence, or if your state has reciprocity with other states. Or you can look at private colleges that offer good merit aid. Note that as an OOS student, many other state universities/flagships will be pricey for you. States (understandably) first and foremost want to serve their own residents, and thus costs are lower and aid is typically better for state residents.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Net Price Calculator that most colleges have on their websites – get your parents to help you run them for colleges you are interested in to see what the costs look like.</p>
<p>Wow, I find your attitude and outlook very refreshing!! Good for you for having the maturity to look beyond the designer labels and consider things like cost, educational value, and your financial future. </p>
<p>I see no harm in applying to a wide array of schools. Some may surprise you with better aid than expected, and others may surprise you the other way. As long as you have a couple financial and academic safeties that fit you and your goals, no harm in applying to some reaches also. </p>
<p>Just brace yourself for the times when friends are bragging about their acceptances to better-known colleges, and you might feel that no one has heard of your excellent LAC in a different state, or seems impressed by your full ride at a regional U. Stick to your guns. The bragging season ends quickly, then the next phase of your life begins for you, hopefully at a place you enjoy, that will not bury you in debt. </p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Wow thanks for the quick responses. And @nova2nola that’s exactly what I expect with my friends and college. Many are planing on applying to top 20-30 or very well known schools. And yes, I’ve had to re-expand my schools and am having to search for their merits. My parents <em>cough</em> mom <em>cough</em> would prefer I stay in-state which I really don’t mind, it’s a big state with plenty of good schools. But thank you for your responses, they really are supportive.</p>
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<p>I commend you for going beyond name brands and having the maturity to recognize that many schools can provide for your needs. However, be aware that there are many subtleties to FA & merit aid and one cannot just assume that a highly selective private is going to cost more than a lesser known, but still good private or a state flagship. That’s because, IF you qualify for need based FA, many of the very selective colleges with large endowments also give excellent FA. And some do not include loans in their packages.</p>
<p>For instance, two years ago D2 was accepted to our state flagship with their largest merit award (we do not qualify for Fed FA), a couple of OOS publics with merit aid, as well as several privates ranging in selectivity. Once merit aid/Institutional FA was considered, our cost looked like this (no loans in the FA packages):</p>
<p>Most selective private w/Inst FA: 8k/yr
OOS public w/merit: 10k/yr
IS public w/merit: 11k/yr
OOS public w/merit & least selective private w/merit & Inst FA: 26k/yr
Mid selective private w/Inst FA: 31k/yr</p>
<p>So, you really need to run the NPCs and analyze the how much schools will cost based on your own financial situation, possibility for merit aid, IS options, etc.</p>
<p>^^ That’s good advice and will make sure to run the NPC for all schools I’m considering to apply to.</p>
<p>The NPCs are a helpful a tool, but there are caveats to remember when you use them. Go to the FA & Scholarships forum to read about factors to be aware of (eg. small business, rental property, etc.) that make them less reliable. And even with very simple financials, I still consider them a best case scenario.</p>
<p>Okay thanks entomom :)</p>
<p>Some of the most prestigious colleges offer financial aid to families making up to $180k so make sure you aren’t foregoing that option for financial reasons, when you actually might get some aid.</p>