<p>“There’s no way my mom can afford $45k a year…”
Baddy, then she should not be insisting that you apply to Harvard either, the Cost of Attendance of which is $53,000 im '08 – and if she happens to make a decent living she will likely be asked to supply 10-25% of her gross earnings toward your education at any of the schools (usually 10% at the Ivies). Nor should she be telling you “You don’t need any safeties.” You will need to take your future into your hands from this point forth to avert disaster. The typical advice is to develop a list of Reach Safety and Match schools. U of M is in the Reach column, in terms of fiscal for sure (because it is not a 100% Need Met school), and possibly statistically. </p>
<p>Granted, IF her earning power is near poverty level, Harvard might offer sufficient aid. But even with a 4.0 you’d still statistically be about 1 in 10 and those are not odds to bank on.
What you haven’t mentioned on any of the threads is whether or not you have estimated your Expected Family Contribution. You (and she) might be surprised when you do. Having a “zero” EFC (if you have…which you may NOT) however does not guarantee that you won’t have to pay anything anywhere you go, but it would inform you to perhaps focus on 100%-need-met schools OR inexpensive local or state options (and apply to BOTH). In addition, most schools that she’s talked to you about also require a CSS form (as does MI) that calculates your assets differently, takes into consideration any assets such as home equity, etc. SO, don’t rule anything OUT (like MI) or IN for that matter until you visit [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and run the calculations, have a conversation, and do actual research on the school websites to find out if they meet need. THEN look at your chances and fit.</p>
<p>This post likely belongs back over on the 'rents thread.</p>
<p>Point is, you just can’t know whether or not MI is viable until you a) know expected EFC (which doesn’t mean you won’t get a scholarship; b) have applied and are accepted and c) then find out what merit is avail and d) then find out your fin aid package (in April…).</p>
<p>So, after you run some calcs, next step is finalize your list and APPLY : ) Take the advice re: fee waiver too.
Also, if you haven’t already looked into it, since your mom is big on the Ivies, check into [QuestBridge</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.Questbridge.org%5DQuestBridge”>http://www.Questbridge.org). If you apply through questbridge you’re application fees are waived, it’s a single app for many private schools, etc. It is a great way for a kid with a story to apply, but targets urban low-income kids. (QuestBridge is a non-profit program that links bright, motivated low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at some of the nation’s best colleges…from website)
If a counselor hasn’t referred you to this application system, you might not actually be eligible/as needful as you think in terms of your economic status. Running the data and talking to mom will tell the tale on that front, and you need to know this now, not next April : )
I know this is a lot to absorb, but you’re well ahead of the 8ball here so take advantage of this preemptive info and do not despair. The universe has a habit of hearing us : )
Cheers,
K</p>