I GOT IN!! But I cant go.

Paying for College
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<p>As a preface, I would like to say that the purpose of this thread is for me to complain. I encourage those who feel my pain to join me in complaint.</p>

<p>As a sophomore in high school I received a 163 on the PSAT. I felt that was a pretty bad score for a kid like me, who though he was one of the smarter kids. So, I continued on and took the SAT. This time, as a junior, I received an 1800. Still I felt like I was cheating myself. I studied and took practice tests for more than 6 months including through the summer. Come October I took the SAT once more (third time), and thankfully, got a score I thought was well-deserved, a 2150. I was proud, and felt it was the score that matched my class rank (9/170) and GPA (3.9) perfectly . </p>

<p>I applied to 7 schools:</p>

<p>Boston College
Johns Hopkins
University of Rochester
UNC Chapel Hill
Connecticut College
NC State
Notheastern</p>

<p>I am from NC and I want more than anything to go to school in the north. Boston is the most beautiful city. I have idealized my life there for years. My parents had no idea how to go about the financial aid process. I did the whole thing myself. I copied and recopied and transcribed page upon page of information. It was stressful and I don't know how I did it. My parents are divorced. I rode on the slightest glimmer of hope that my dad's huge income would not ruin financial aid for me. </p>

<p>Well come to find out, I got into all of the schools I applied to. I also received no financial aid from any of the privates. 12k scholarship to both Northeastern and Rochester, but come on, that knocks both schools down to about....50,000/yr. My parents can't in a million years pay that. I am distraught.</p>

<p>I am not saying I didn't do this to my self. I this is completely my fault. My parents' combined income is over 200k, but they still can't afford that amount. All I am saying is that I feel some sort of injustice has been done to me. Maybe I shouldnt have even tried to got to those schools, because I was destined to end up at a state school anyway. </p>

<p>Some of you will tear me apart; "You should be happy you can go to UNC! That is a GREAT school." </p>

<p>Sure it is, but I still don't like it, and it still sucks that I can't go where I want.</p>

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<p>It does suck that you can’t go where you want to. Its OK that you feel disappointed. </p>

<p>Now put your big (person) undergarments on and go out there and show the world what you are made of. </p>

<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>

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<p>I feel your pain. My parents make enough money that I get no need-based from University of Virginia, U of Michigan, or UNC (I am from South Dakota, so I’d love to go to UNC!) I didn’t even bother applying to Ivies (35 ACT/2300 SAT, etc) because there’s no way I could’ve afforded it! We simply cannot pay over $50000 a year. I will likely end up at Nebraska-Lincoln. UNL is a great school, it just perturbs me that I can’t afford the other schools I was accepted to. FAfSA is a sick joke, and financial aid is a joke. Also, I have really learned to hate merit scholarships that give preference to those with financial need. My accomplishments shouldn’t be ignored because my dad makes money! </p>

<p>That’s all. Thanks for the opportunity to rant. I feel your pain!</p>

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<p>You are the poster child of the entitlement generation. Why do you feel so entitled when you cannot pay? Also did you ever consider that you got into those schools based on your ability to pay?</p>

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<p>

You should try; you may be surprise by the financial aid from Ivies.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>There is a difference between “can’t” and “are not willing”. Someone who’s parents make $50,000/yr are “can’t”. For parents who make $200k/yr, they have other priorities, and “are not willing”. </p>

<p>What if your parents all of a sudden had their income drop to $100k/yr? I’m sure they would figure out a way to live in that budget. Ergo, they could figure out a way to pay $50,000/yr a lot quicker than a million years.</p>

<p>I’m guessing they could borrow $200k against the home and pay it off over 20 years.</p>

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<p>How did u hear back from JHU already?</p>

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<p>Why oh why do people complain about FA, as if it is there to pay for YOUR education…I am sooo tired of reading threads about how much $$$$$ kid’s parents make (over 200K) but for some odd reason their parents refuse to pay for a PRIVATE college education or better yet they cant afford it…My question is if families know they can never afford a particular college why apply and in the end be so dissappointed. There is no FA fairy who will magically give you money. the only money I feel anyone is entitled to is the merit money offered because, at least, the student has EARNED it by working hard Who do they think will pay for that education.? I am a divorced single mom of 3kids…I will have 2 in college next year. This pastyear my son applied to only colleges that I knew we could afford and he has a very unique major (Aviation)…he got some great merit money and took out the stafford loan. He also rec’d some outside scholarships. His father and I then split the remaining balance and paid using the payment plan. There are no high-end vacations in my family or new cars, or weekends out at restaurants etc, etc. We have a 1998 and 2006 car…My senior will be attending our state college next year. I have been around many families this past year discussing colleges and it blows my mind when they inform others that we “only” have to come up with 15K( or more) for the year…We dont know how we will do this …we will just have to take out another loan…and worry about it later UGH!!! Just venting…</p>

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<p>You are all right. Even those who didn’t spare me any pity.</p>

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<p>And BTW I didnt hear back from JHU yet. Sorry for saying I had gotten in there already, that was a mistake</p>

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<p>but why didn’t you consider this before you applied? A kid who CAN afford it could have been in your position right now.</p>

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<p>I think you should use a bottoms up approach. IF you get into NC State or Chapel Hill (some people would sell a limb to be able to go there and pay in -state)</p>

<p>Will they be affordable options for your family?</p>

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<p>I did get into both those schools so and yes I will be able to afford Chapel Hill. And yes I know they are good schools. </p>

<p>Anyway, I don’t want to start any hate. I KNOW I shouldn’t have applied. I KNOW I set myself up for disappointment. I KNOW I sound entitled. I KNOW UNC and NC State are great schools.</p>

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<p>I’m with vlines. Sure, spend a day feeling sorry for yourself. It’s disappointing when you can’t afford something you really want. Then, suck it up, get excited about going where you can afford, and take advantage of every opportunity you can. Then, if you want, you can probably go to Boston for grad school. There are a lot more varied funding options for grad school, especially if you are studying a STEM field.</p>

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<p>Consider that without your hard work and determination, you would not have gotten into Chapel Hill or NC State. Your effort was not wasted.</p>

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<p>yes you are right. I know I will end up being completely fine wherever I go. And I am very excited for grad school! and I am STEM as a major in Physics!</p>

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<p>Personally, I would much rather go to UNC than Boston College.</p>

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<p>Can you convince me? :)</p>

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<p>I understand the OP’s disappointment- we are taught as children to do well in school, and we will be able to be anything we want to be and go to any school we want to go to. Now, once the initial shock at how tedious and emotionally gripping the college process can be wears off, many kids are left thinking that FA will cover all of the financial needs. That is what our generation has been brought up to believe- be successful in the hurdle race that is college admissions, and the money will follow suit. I don’t think it’s right to blame the OP for reaching high. The OP was qualified to be admitted into these schools and was successful in his/her endeavor, but unfortunately is unable to afford it(whether it be his parents decision or not. People on CC get frustrated with high school kids for not having financial safeties, but many kids are not told that financial safeties are necessary because our society places so much emphasis on financial aid. At many schools, FA is made to seem like a process which will make all monetary woes about college disappear(except when it comes to paying back loans.) is it the OP’s fault that he cannot afford to go to his top choice?( and yes I say CANNOT, because whether the parents place the OP’s education at the top of their priority list is their business, but the OP cannot control how his/her parents money is dispensed.)</p>

<p>I sympathize with you, OP. I applied to financial safeties(as did you, considering you applied to state schools) but they were not schools that I truly desired to go to either. One of the honors programs I was admitted to gave me a complete full ride, and while I am in a fortunate position, I am a bit saddened that after all of my hard work, and being admitted to some of my top choices, I cannot afford it-which should be the least of my(our) worries. It’s not so much a sense of “entitlement”, but an attitude of I should get out what I put in- however, this only happens in a perfect world. It’s completely fine to vent. I wish you the best of luck, and in my opinion, we will all end up where we belong.</p>

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<p>It sounds like your family can afford to pay for the NC schools and that is a HUGE gift. Graduating with minimal debt is something you will appreciate when the time comes.</p>