Is Stony Brook worth it?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stony Brook University - SUNY
1

<p>Stony Brook is my first choice and I have had my mind set on going there for a while. I would need to dorm there, and therefore pay for Room and Board. I only received $1,200 in financial aid from the government, and nothing from the school itself in the form of scholarships. From what I understand, the total cost of attendance is about $19,000 for in state students, including tuition, room and board, a meal plan, and everything else. Since my parents are only willing to pay about $4,000 - $5,000, I would need to take out about $14,000 in student loans per year. If I attend a CUNY, I will be able to live at home, and my parents will cover the full cost of attendance (about $5,000 a year) without any loans. </p>

<p>Now I really want the whole college experience, that is going away and dorming, and I think that since college is a once in a lifetime experience, the loans will be worth it. I plan on going into either psychology or pharmacy, both of which would require me going to graduate school and take out even more loans. </p>

<p>So my questions is, would the extra money (and later debt) needed to go to Stony Brook really be worth it, or should I forsake the true college experience and take the more financially smart option and just live at home and attend a CUNY?</p>

2

<p>Being from NYC, I understand wanting a college campus and the whole college experience. Being a parent, however, I think your best option is to attend a CUNY and save the loans for grad school. You don’t want to put yourself in debt for $56,000 in undergrad loans and then pile more debt on top of it.</p>

3

<p>There’s always the option to attend a cuny for a year or two to finish required classes for graduation and then transfer to stony for your remaining years. that way you can still get the college experience without as much debt as you would be if you go straight to stony</p>

4

<p>I agree with vintagecool5. You might want to attend a community college for a year or two. Tuition in a community college is less than $5,000…but you’re more than welcome to join the SBU family! Good luck to you.</p>