Is Amherst worth it; is it worth the 45,000 x 4?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I’m in a financial dilemma right now because of how Amherst is calculating my aid, through which I am getting zero money. </p>

<p>Now I am contemplating whether or not the paying 45,000 in full is worth it. I’ve been wanting to attend Amherst College since last year and I know how great of a school it is, the opportunities it offers, and its the educational experience, but with the aid I’m getting, I wonder if it’s worth it…Is it worth this financial burden…Can I expect to be in financial debt for many years in the future?</p>

<p>So naturally, I’m coming to the question of whether or not I should attend Amherst. At UC-Berkeley and UC-San Diego, I qualify for the Regents’/Chancellor’s scholarships at both, plus my EFC is around 10k. At University of Southern California, I’m getting about 35k in aid. So the educational costs at these institutions wil be much, much cheaper. But I dont think I want that large, research university undergraduate education. But on the other hand, I feel that the 45,000 a year will make me feel sick.</p>

<p>I would appreciate any comments, feedback, whatever.
Many thanks,
Sony</p>

2

<p>It's impossible to answer that without knowing how much money your family would be willing/able to spare without seriously making a dent.</p>

3

<p>Berkeley is a very good school. I was considering Berkeley over Amherst for a while, but later I pick Amherst. It is only because I am out of State for Berkeley, and the tuition doesn't make much difference for me from both schools, (and Amherst is right next to my house.) If I were a California resident, I would defenitely go to Berkely. Amherst is great, but Berkeley is better known internationally.</p>

4

<p>actually, it wil lbe 45,000+47,000+31,000+34,000... probably not as bad, but something ridiculous like that</p>

5

<p>...err
the 3's are supposed to be 5's</p>

6

<p>I'm facing the same question to a much lesser degree. Amherst will give me 20k/year in financial aid, but my family would still have to swing 26k (which might be the equivalent dent of 45k in your family, idk), and they'd rather I take the Regents at UCSD. I'm going to Amherst. I don't care if I have to take out loans for the next twenty years, work three jobs, whatever, I'm going. I need an LAC and a new environment, or I'm dropping out to pursue an independent career in the arts.</p>

<p>That's me, though. You probably don't want to get out of CA as much as I do (no offense to SoCal, I'm just weird), and the difference between 45k and 20k a year is much larger than between 26 and 18ish for me. So, while I'd like to identify, your situation is much more drastic, and the question is ultimately up to you.</p>

<p>Consolation for the Cali schools: you will most definitely find your own community within the population. If you go to UCSD, you have your own College, if elsewhere you'll have classmates of your major, your dorm floor, your artistic/scientific disposition to hang with. The only real diff. would be with the teaching style ("Good afternoon student #50023" vs "Hey Johnnie, how you doin'?"), and the long waiting lists for required classes.</p>

<p>It's also warm here. Might not be a consideration worth 45k, however.</p>

<p>As regards far-reaching goals, any of your choices will serve you well in the graduate/professional worlds. The UCs are top-notch for sciences, especially. Humanities maybe not so much, but doable. Don't fret too much; it'll work out.</p>

<p>In closing, DANG you're rich. What I wouldn't give to be in a position where no one offered me financial aid. Psh; I don't like you now.</p>

<p>:)</p>

7

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Thanks for your comment.
It's interesting to see that you are taking up on Amherst.
I'll keep your reasons in mind.</p>

<p>I don't think I'm rich. My parents are divorced. My divorced dad is "rich", I guess. My mom can't even work. My EFC, which doesn't count divorced parents, is 9,000...so I wouldn't call myself amazingly poor nor rich neither. </p>

<p>Thanks. Talk to you later.</p>

8

<p>CRISIS. Dad just came home (he doesn't live with us, either) and said that with loans, etc. Amherst would require half his take-home salary and probably force my family to eat nothing but cat food for the next twelve years (and refrain from involving themselves in costly accidents, because we will have no savings or insurance left to cover them). Lovely. I'm fighting tooth and nail now. Just sent a borderline aggressive email to the financial aid office asking for a phone interview. They can't do this to me. I made plans! I talked to professors and club captains and mapped out my science/math class schedules for the whole four years.</p>

<p>Now I'm closer to your side, though. After a certain point, it's ridiculous to put your family through hell to get yourself to college--even a college like Amherst. I mean, I wouldn't mind being destitute, but I can't force that on my parents and brothers. Time to start looking for a copy-editing position.</p>

9

<p>First of all, congrats on getting into Amherst!</p>

<p>If you were able to get 35k in aid, which I am guessing isn't from a merit scholarship, I don't understand why Amherst couldn't give you ~35k. It also does not make sense why Amherst is giving you $0 in aid if your EFC is only around 10k. </p>

<p>Why don't you call the FA office and maybe- show Amherst how much you are getting from USC? DEAL TIME!</p>

<p>Of course, USC, UCB, and UCSD are fantastic schools.
However, I don't think that the lack of FA, which I think is Amherst's mistake, should stop you from attending your dream school, Amherst.</p>

10

<p>If you really want to go to Amherst you could defer your admission for a year and get a job. I believe you'd have to put down a deposit, but where there's a will there's a way. Or, you could try to transfer in later after a few years elsewhere. This might be more appealing to your family.</p>

11

<p>tkm256, I completely understand what you're going through. It sounds a lot like what I'm going through with my parents. I can't offer any advice, only lots of luck!</p>

12

<p>I'd suggest talking with the financial aid office before making any final decisions. They've been known to make noticeable adjustments.</p>

13

<p>Definitely ask for more aid!! When I went to the Diversity Open House, they said that if we aren't satisfied with our aid, we should ask for more because Amherst almost always gives more; explain what a burden it would be to your family; tell them about your family's special circumstances (which probably did not show up in just the numbers - that happened to me). Also, I don't know if this will work for Amherst, but maybe you could call them up and say, "Hey, this comparable school is giving me more aid. And I really want to go to Amherst, so can you help me out?" (Be polite and win them over.) Also, apply for outside scholarships, which are subtracted from your work-study and loans.</p>