<p>Seriously, have you read the papers? You can easily take on 18k debt yourself, not your Mom. My parents took on waaaaaaay more than that and worked hard to pay it off. You are so lucky. Many kids take on a lot more than that for lesser schools. Go to UT if it is such an issue for you.</p>
<p>Murphy600, forgive me if I’m just misinterpreting you, but was there an aggressive tone in your post? If so, let me give you a bit more insight into where I’m coming from.</p>
<p>I am the first person in my family to go to college from a United States high school and I live in a single parent home, I’m facing a bit of a challenge trying to get a grasp on things, because I’m relying SOLELY on what I READ about FA, and the personal experiences about FA that people share with me. I don’t have a mom/cousin/uncle/aunt that has gone through this process; I’m blessed to have even gotten in with the lack of proper advice I received.</p>
<p>College is just too big of an endeavor to leave any stone un-turned before I sign my name to things. I thought it’d be best to ask on this forum, because many UChicago graduates/current students would have great insight into this issue. You may think this is a cake walk for me, but just because it <em>seems</em> that way to you, doesn’t mean it is. If you’re going to be condescending, don’t post at all. Seriously.</p>
<p>If your post wasn’t meant to be aggressive and I just misunderstood you, I deeply apologize.</p>
<p>To everyone else, thanks for the input. I now feel as if $18k isn’t significant enough debt to turn down UChicago. I have no doubt I will have a great four years here, and because of the [positive] input, I feel way more secure in taking out the student loans. Thanks again.</p>
<p>
I don’t think you’re crazy to consider UT Austin. In fact, you sound like a very thoughtful young woman. </p>
<p>Glancing through your past posts, two things strike me as relevant. One, you were admitted to Plan II at UT. That is VERY different from the usual UT Austin experience and offers many of the same features as Chicago – a pretty rigorous common core, small seminars, faculty relationships, a senior thesis, and excellent advising. Two, your interest in human rights immediately struck me as an excellent match for the track in activist anthropology within the anthropology major at UT Austin, the only such program I’m aware of. </p>
<p>That said, Chicago is a truly excellent school, and you would get a wonderful education there. If $18K is indeed your debt for four years, I think it’d be a great choice. That said, check the info about loans carefully. Subsidized loans increase each year, and if the loans would be unsubsidized, your debt load could be quite a bit more than $18K once you’re done with education, especially if you attend law school. </p>
<p>I think you need to consider all of the everyday details as well when making a decision - how do you feel about Chicago vis-a-vis Austin? Could you see yourself at a football game, rooting for your team, or is that kind of boring to you? Do you mind cold (Chicago) or humid (Texas) weather or absolutely hate one of them? Remember, the university will be your home for the next four years, so it’s not unwise to think these things through.</p>
<p>goldenboy strikes again!</p>
<p>Warblersrule,</p>
<p>The loans would be about half subsidized (2k) and half unsubsidized (2.5k) each year. Funny that you mentioned the Activist Anthropology track, I’m not familiar with it. I asked a few Plan II students about their knowledge of any human rights interdisciplinary study, and they referred me to the International Studies major, which does have some focus on HR, but not nearly as much as the Activist Anthropology does now that I’ve researched it. </p>
<p>Both schools are really, really great academically, but…the edginess of UChicago’s student body and the intellectualism that permeates through the campus is electrifying. I don’t want to have to stick with a small, particular portion of the student body just to feel that, y’know? I truly did not want to leave campus at the end of my overnight visit, which refers back to a point you mentioned. I come from a high school where sports are the “it” thing, and I’m really tired of it. One thing I hated about Austin was the noise that would ensue when the Longhorns won a football/basketball game. I’m all for school spirit, but it was such a huge turnoff. The influence of sports at UChicago is extremely minimal…and I like it that way. The cold weather will take some getting used to, but I’m dying to get away from the heat in Texas. Plus, Austin is about 10 degrees hotter than the northern part of Texas…scary.</p>
<p>Ladylikeliz,</p>
<p>You’ve been given some very good advice, much of it from people who have been in similar situations, so I will not repeat any of it. But I would add that if $18k a year is a big burden for you, then perhaps you should forego the unpaid internship this summer (and the car) and seek paid employment. Once you have matriculated at UChicago, you may be able to do a paid summer fellowship (although that will require room/board expenses).</p>
<p>$18,000 is a STEAL!!! Literally.
… especially considering that many people pay full tuition at UofC ($250,000!!!)</p>
<p>18k is NOTHING. Chill out and go to uchicago.</p>
<p>Pay attention to Warblersrule’s post. There are notable differences between the subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest immediately, among other things. So, as was pointed out, the amount owed by the time you actually start paying back will be somewhat higher than the $18k. I’m sure there is information all over the internet on this or you could call UChicago FA for details.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. You come accross as a remarkable young person. I strongly suspect you will be successful no matter what your final decision is.</p>
<p>HYPSM - that was what I was trying to say … guess I unintentionally came across as hostile.
I have many friends in your same situation (first gen with little guidance). Many of them would love to be in your shoes.</p>
<p>No, I don’t think its worth an extra $25,000 (i’m guessing after interest thats what you’ll pay). And that doesn’t include what your parents will pay.</p>
<p>Ladylikeliz,
Congrats on your EA to UChicago. My son is a first year, and has done well so far. While I hate to dissuade such an articulate student, please remember that your aid from UChicago is need-based, and while as long as income stays the same, your aid should stay the same-what happens if your Mother’s income increases? If she is finishing college herself, I would assume that over the course of the next four years, her income may increase-maybe too much to receive the same amount of aid. </p>
<p>You got accepted to an amazing program with UT-Austin plan ii. Seems like a great opportunity for you with that program, which will cover ALL your costs for the next four years.</p>
<p>Murphy- please don’t forget the c from my name! Lol it’s really important to me… :P</p>
<p>I really appreciate everyone’s advice. That’s the reason I use this sight, because it clarifies a lot of things that are unclear to me for whatever reason.</p>
<p>I telephoned the FA office one more time, and spoke to an extremely sweet lady who told me that with my University Scholar merit award, I’m open to apply to any outside scholarships, which would then decrease our EFC, so there is a possibility that (if I devote my time to filling out numerous scholarships) I could attend UChicago without a single cent borrowed. My only regret is not asking them MONTHS ago for clarification. </p>
<p>I’m basing my decision to attend UChicago on exactly what warblersrule outlined in his post: Feel. </p>
<p>Although I’ve <em>tried</em> to explain how at content and at ease I felt at UChicago, words don’t do it justice. With the newly acquired information, I feel so much more at ease.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help and kind words!!! This is such a blessing!</p>
<p>HYPSCM
How could I have done that!!!
CCCCCCCC I’m lobbing a few more C’s your way.
Which letter r u attending?! Hope it is C.</p>
<p>If worse comes to worse you can always find a job. Working 10-15 hours a week every quarter at UChicago except his first one, S1 was able to earn more than $4.5k every year. We didn’t qualify for any FA so he just went, applied, and got a job. Part of the great education you will get is the skill of time management.</p>
<p>Thank you j’adoube! If I need to, I will look for a job on campus once I get time management down. Hopefully after my first quarter, I’ll get it down!</p>
<p>Hahaha murphy thanks :P</p>
<p>But yup, caltech it is! :D</p>
<p>So I got a response to my appeal today: </p>
<p>I received $8,000 more in grants, so I will NOT be forced to take out any loans! I am so unfathomably grateful to the University for this. I could nearly cry right now… This makes things so much more affordable for me and my family. Wow. So so grateful. I’m so glad I got into this school! </p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice and help! Go maroons!</p>