It's a shame. It really is a shame.

<p>Have any of you asked the direct question: How have other graduates in your program gotten a financial return on the investment? What are the statistics?</p>

<p>I'd like to know that as well.</p>

<p>And I've never heard someone answer how they're going to pay everything off once they graduate. It's always, "Oh, I'll worry about it later."</p>

<p>Ugh it sucks. They expect me to take out 33,000 in loans per year. My family's income is not that far away from that. I don't know what to do.</p>

<p>paleridden: What is your major?</p>

<p>it is interesting b/c with all these financial aid complaints I went back and read the NYU policy about outside scholarships. Since it is quite obvious NYU doesn't meet most of our demonstrated need, we can fill the unmet need without being "penalized"</p>

<p>Clover, it's Journalism. But it's through GSP since I'm not good enough apparently lol.</p>

<p>paleridden, let me give you a bit of advice: i am a journalist, writer and national magazine editor here in NYC. I hire writers and journalists all the time. i can tell you, unequivocally, that the source of one's degree means less than zero to me and other editors who hire, and tells me nothing about the journalist's skill. Assuming that kind of debt to go into journalism, which is a field that may not pay well for years if ever, is nuts. Journalists learn by doing in the real world --not in school. You need to go to college, but in the job market in the real world you will not earn one penny more or get a single extra assignment because your degree says NYU. Take it from me, I have been doing this in NYC since 1980 and am in a position to know. If you feel you need extra training spend the money on grad school --but not for the degree, just for what you might learn. What are your other options for college?</p>

<p>Thank you for your informative post cloverdale! I really do appreciate your comments.
My other choices are Syracuse, UW-Madison, RPI and Ithaca. But since RPI doesn't really have journalism, it's the other three.</p>

<p>Maybe NYU made a mistake with your financial aid. I highley doubt that with a 20,000 a year (single parent I'm assuming) income your tuition would be that HIGH! Unless you live in a million dollar home (CSS profile considers home equity) or your mom has some money stashed in a swiss bank you should be getting a free ride! I would call NYU and ask them what happend, I know NYU is not the greatest for financial aid; according to statistics they fill 68% of students need, notwithstanding I'm sure your need was mistaken. With 35,000 applicants theres always room for a mixup.</p>

<p>^uhh they meet need with loans, my mom makes 26k a year and my loans were more than $26k (USD mind you) without any assets to her name</p>

<p>paleridden: what's finaid like at other schools? I happen to know a few top people who came out of Syracuse, personally, moreso than NYU. All things being equal, for journalism I think you are better off with Syracuse. The J school there is famous and world-reknowned, and many of the magazine people I know have connections there. If the money at both places is equal, for journalism, choose Syracuse. If the money is better at Syracuse I would not give it another thought, I would take the money and run, not walk, to Syracuse.</p>