<p>Perhaps while you are hanging out this summer, you can contemplate your 30K in loans and how you will repay them. When you talk about instate schools you compare the total cost to the cost of out of state schools without including the 30K loan. Even with work study, I imagine they like to hire kids with some experience working first. Most kids like earning their own money-try it you might too.</p>
<p>ec, as a Georgia resident and class of 2012 parent myself, I don’t feel kindly toward your disparaging a list of perfectly respectable Georgia colleges and universities (“Valdosta, GA State, West Georgia, Kennesaw, GCSU, etc”), then writing “BTW, I have nothing against any of the state schools in Georgia. Some of my best friends are going to them, but they’re just not for me.” Actually, you just wrote that you have plenty against those schools. Perhaps you would have felt differently about GCSU had they admitted you.</p>
<p>I wish I could be a fly on the wall and watch how EC deals with life on a college campus.
Few times in my life have I come across someone with such a thick headedness personality.</p>
<p>Everything is about what you want, but none of your logic makes any sense about how to achieve it. You want money, but you don’t want to work for it. You want to be independent, but you still want to “be a kid”. Hopefully, one day you will understand what the parents on CC have been trying to say to you over the years. Come back here after you’ve completed your first year away at college and maybe, just maybe, you will be able to actually understand what we’ve been trying to tell you.</p>
<p>What are you going to do when you’ve spent your lifetime savings of $2,000 on your new Mac? What money are you going to have available for things like: dorm room stuff (mini fridge, TV, ipod/headphones, bedding, hangers, desk accessories like a desk lamp and stapler and staples and pens and paperclips and etc.), clothes, travel, weekend activities, pizza, tickets for on campus events, printing fees, and anything else that comes up----trust me, things come up. </p>
<p>Have fun on your trip to Grandma’s. One last bit of advice. You may want to start practicing the following:</p>
<p>—Stop comparing yourself to other people. You assume too much about them.
—Tone down your elitist attitude. You’re going to find out you’re not as smart as you think.
—Get rid of the selective hearing.
—Open up your mind, stop being so judgmental, and stop putting people into stereotypical groups. </p>
<p>You are in for a big surprise at college.</p>
<p>Honestly, E_C, the more you post, the more confused I become.</p>
<p>
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Uh, what? No, but you’ll ask your mother to put in on her credit card? </p>
<p>
<br>
Not sure what you meant by this?</p>
<p>
It is precisely this kind of superior language that offends others. </p>
<p>
You’re right about that. There are lots of kids who worked hard in school, participated in extracurricular activities, and worked part-time. They researched colleges as well, but not to the point of obsession. I would call that a good work ethic.</p>
<p>I’m going to be blunt. Some posters here make me mentally ill. The amount of disrespect that I’ve received on CC is unbelievable. You don’t believe me? Just ask calmom or jkiwmom. But you would call them “cheerleaders.” </p>
<p>Why would I go into my savings for the deposit? My dad’s check will be here before May 1st and if not then my mom will just have to put it on her card. End of story. And my mother wouldn’t allow me to use money from my savings anyways, so even if I wanted to, it isn’t going to happen. Yes, I would feel a lot less stress if the deposit was payed today. But it won’t kill me to wait another week. </p>
<p>30k in loans is not that bad compared to how much a lot of students take out. I often hear students on CC taking 100k in loans in order to go to NYU, etc. I would have still taken out loans if I stayed instate. Why would I take out loans when I hate the state I live in? I rather take out more loans and be happy then be miserable. </p>
<p>I have nothing personal against GA state colleges. They aren’t for me. My point in that statement was that those colleges were not better options which nysmile proposed. For some students, yes they are better options. But not for me. And nothing personal against GCSU because I am better off without them. </p>
<p>Few times in my life have I come across adults who want an adolescent to fail. It’s quite sad honestly. It’s just very hard for some of you to think that someone with low SAT scores could actually succeed in life. If you really think I am “elitist”, you may be talking about yourself. Please go back and re-read past threads I have made when countless posters have said that I should just stay instate because I am not worthy of leaving home due to my SAT scores. Many acted like I had no other options when that was not the case. I have found a college, Knox, which is affordable and will give me a great education. But I still get posters telling me I had better options in state, when that wasn’t the case. I was told that I had a low chance of getting accepted to Clark when, in fact, I got accepted with MERIT AID. </p>
<p>You’re the ones who are comparing me to your children. I was simply commenting that I have researched much more then the average Joe. If you want to call it “obsession” by all means, do it. But I certainty do not care because in the long run, I got accepted to 13 out of 16 colleges with merit aid. A lot of CCers aren’t that lucky in that regard. And I did have more then one affordable option BTW. </p>
<p>Also, stop making accusations about me when you don’t know the facts. I was never going to take 2k from my savings to pay for the laptop. I am using all of my Christmas money, birthday money, and graduation money to buy one. Seriously, I think some people need to take their own advice. </p>
<p>Many act like I’ve never had a real “job” in my life, but in fact I have. I may not have gotten paid, but I have done some hard duty jobs for free. Working at the Entertainment Center, I was outside holding up signs for people to come. I started volunteering when I was 12 as a camp counselor. So, I may not have had a paying job, but I still have experience in that regard. I also almost got a job as a party host back in October. And I interviewed for an internship with an acting studio, but didn’t get it unfortunately. </p>
<p>Also, I would also like to note that I do not get an allowance. I hardly ever go to the movies, but tend to hang out with friends at each others homes, or somewhere which costs little money. I have never needed that much. And I know my parents will buy me all the dorm essentials, etc. I have the work study job (which most of you say I won’t get) for the added expenses. Yes, it will be nice if I get a job for July/August for added money, but that time hasn’t come. </p>
<p>And for stereotypes, everyone is stereotypical to some extent. CC is one of the most stereotypical and elitist boards out there, but for some reason, there are some posters who are very helpful with their advice. There is a difference between giving friendly advice and being rude. Calmom, for instance, suggested way back I look into Valdosta State because it’s affordable. I would have applied there if I got no affordable financial aid packages, but fortunately it didn’t come to that.</p>
<p>I have one last summer before I have to go into the real world. And yes, I will enjoy it. Many of you will be surprised how many alumni from my high school come back to my town and do nothing all summer, but drink and smoke weed. And no this isn’t “everyone”, but a good amount of people I personally know.</p>
<p>OMG–goodbye and good luck.</p>
<p>early_college, All your research does seem to have paid off. Knox sounds great and they did give you some aid. It would be good if you could get the amount of loans you’re taking out a little lower. $30,000 does seem like alot. Keeping things below $20,000 seems more manageable. Whatever work you can do both at school and during the summers may help. Make sure you let us know how things go once you get to Knox.</p>
<p>Thanks! Personally, I was aiming more towards 20k in loans, but I will try and pay them off ASAP. When Knox revised my financial aid award, they ended up giving me 4k more in loans when it was just 1k cheaper before the revision.</p>
<p>Frankly, I’m a bit confused on why early_college always gets hauled the cleaners by other posters, so to speak. First, it was that he would never get in anywhere he applied, then he would never get enough merit and financial aid to attend, then his family may not be able too pay for all four years, then his writing is so poor that it will impede his ability to keep his scholarships, then he won’t have money to fly home/buy pizza. Yes, he’s been blunt, stubborn, confused, and unpredictable at times, but that’s pretty much all teenage posters, both on CC and IRL (as well a many adult posters!). </p>
<p>Having gone to high school in a state that I strongly, strongly disliked (despite having a good experience academically and socially in high school), I can empathize with EC’s desire not to stay in Georgia. The state schools there are far more highly ranked than the OOS one I attended (which was an <em>amazing</em> fit academically, socially, and financially [thanks to merit aid] and which prepared my extremely well for grad school but is honestly a school that I bet very, very few CCer’s have any regard for). I had great in-state options objectively but they weren’t great for me, personally.</p>
<p>I did not work for pay until after my sophomore year of college, although it is perhaps relevant that I am not one of those “able-bodied” folks jym mentioned. However, I have worked continuously since then (better knock on wood with this economy, though!), and all my jobs have been relevant to my field.</p>
<p>I have a lot of respect for Knox as a school, and I think that it is fairly well-reputed among the minority of people who have actually heard of schools beyond HYPS, their state schools, and maybe the SEC/Big 10. Personally, I think it one of the best schools EC applied to, and I hope it serves him well.</p>
<p>Chill, EC. You are going to bust a gut. </p>
<p>Please realize that your savings thus far has come from what sounds like, from your report, all gifts. (birthday/holiday, graduation presents). We all look forward to hearing what you will be doing this summer and in school to generate earned income for yourself. You will love the sense of freedom and relief it provides you.</p>
<p>** addendum
psych-
it sounds like there were reasons you d could not work, but when you could, you did. Don’t know if you are male or female, or had health issues or what have you, but glad to hear you were able to earn some money for yourself. Doesnt it feel grand?</p>
<p>E-C, count me in as another one of your cheerleaders. I agree that many of the statements here are over the top. This is what anonymity on the internet breeds. I doubt anyone would say these things to your face.</p>
<p>As someone who has followed early-college from the start, I think he is your typical teenager, who digs his heels in when adults are critical. But what I’ve been impressed with is that eventually, he does listen to suggestions and changes his mind, and matures. Remember, this is a kid who was convinced he had to go to college when he was a freshman in high school. He has changed a lot. But being critical of him, and putting him on the defensive, isn’t the way to get him to think or act differently. </p>
<p>Different families have different values. I know plenty of families with modest incomes who don’t want their kids to have jobs. I know plenty of kids who want to enjoy the last summer before college. I also think that getting a job this summer would be prudent, but nagging him isn’t going to convince him. </p>
<p>nysmile, you say you’ve rarely met anyone with such a thickheaded personality. Sounds like you don’t know many teenagers. </p>
<p>I’m pretty impressed that this kid found the right schools for his stats, got some great acceptances and good merit aid. Thousands of kids don’t want to stay in-state for college, my daughter included, and I’d be pretty angry if people criticized her for that desire. </p>
<p>E-C, when you come on CC for advice, unfortunately you get a lot more than advice, and some people are really insulted if you don’t take everything they say as gospel. I truly hope that college and your money situation work out. And please, do look into getting some paid work this summer.</p>
<p>
At every college my kids attended, the cost of the standard student insurance policy was included in COA and accounted for in the financial aid package. Usually there was an option for expanded coverage that would have cost extra – but the basic, coverage that was extended to all students was subsumed in student fees.</p>
<p>The Knox web site makes it clear that it follows that practice – “Knox provides all students with basic health care and confidential counseling services at the on-campus Student Health and Counseling Center, where you’ll have access to a medical practitioner and counseling services.” If EC is covered on his parents’ policy, then that is going to cover costs for additional services beyond the basics – I’ve never heard of an insurance policy that wouldn’t cover the medical needs of a covered college student living out of state. If EC’s family does not have health insurance, then that concern is irrelevant. Being uninsured at home is no better than being uninsured out of state. </p>
<p>This is what really bugs me: a series of posts raising concerns that (a) apply equally to all students who attend out of state schools, something that CC parents seem to support for all other students and families on CC, and (b) that are trumped up and either nonexistent or grossly exaggerated. This is in the context of a kid who clearly has the personality of a worrier. To me that looks like a decidedly unhelpful thing to do.</p>
<p>Psych, I couldn’t have said it better myself. I just feel like some posers have been secretly hoping it doesn’t work out for me for years. I’m really ready to leave Georgia. I have been for years now. I really hope Knox works out, but I have great faith in myself. Not one person I know in RL has heard of Knox, it’s definitely a hidden gem. </p>
<p>Actually, I forgot to note this, but I actually filmed a Cartoon Network Commercial in the summer of 2010 and received $640. I would have gotten $840 if it wasn’t for the agent. So, in actuality, I have worked but not in the traditional sense. Too bad they cut me out, LOL. But hey, that’s part of the business. And 100% of that money went into my savings account. So, it isn’t just “birthday money.”</p>
<p>I’d also like to note one of my friends who actually applied OOS didn’t have as great of an outcome. She applied to Roanoke, Vassar, Fordham, and Emory: Oxford (including the main campus). Her parents are divorced and finances were a big part of her decision. She had a similar course load (but took 2 less AP classes then me), but scored a 26 on her ACT. Her top choices were Vassar and Roanoke. She got accepted to Roanoke, rejected at Vassar, wait-listed at Fordham, and Emory kept on loosing her transcripts, so her application was never seen. Roanoke’s financial aid packages costs too much, so now she is out of luck. They did an appeal, but still haven’t heard back. She just applied to Hofstra, so hopefully they’ll accept her and give her a decent package. But I did give her a list of rolling admission schools to look at (Alfred, Juniata, etc). I will say that she didn’t even know what the CSS Profile was. A lot of students are clueless when it comes to finances, but I will say no college directly told me it was required. I had to research. I hope she gets off Fordham’s wait-list. But her mom did pay a deposit to Roanoke, but they will have to get it back now.</p>
<p>I was actually proud of myself for getting wait-listed at HC because it is so competitive. They must have liked me to at least wait-list me. I couldn’t accept the offer though because wait-list applicants cannot get financial aid. Hobart is the same way. They actually sent me an email for accepted students by mistake LOL.</p>
<p>There is a thread elsewhere about a mother whose kid is on virtually full FA, but didnt see the separate health insurance that is attached as a separate charge and now has a hold on her s’s registration until they pay it. Hopefully they will get it straightened out. Here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1327214-coa-excess-hours-need-merit-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1327214-coa-excess-hours-need-merit-aid.html</a></p>
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<p>On the contrary, there seems to be a double standard, given that the purpose of CC is to provide information about colleges and the vast majority of parents and students are looking to apply to private colleges or the more prestigious public universities. All you have to do is look at the size of the threads under the colleges. </p>
<p>I really don’t get it. The only thing I see that distinguishes EC from all the students who are posting under the College Search thread is the SAT scores. If you can offer up any other reason why parents are so hostile to EC’s plans, please enlighten me. </p>
<p>The only other thing I see is a real hostility and/or lack of understanding as to the realities of self-employment. I personally am the daughter of a self-employed, sole-practitioner, personal injury lawyer – which makes the situation EC describes for his father looks mild in comparison.</p>
<p>early_college, congratulations! It’s so exciting your years of research and effort paid off in so many appealing options. It sounds like Knox is going to be the lucky one. I wish you all the best!</p>
<p>Re: health insurance, the sentence calmom cited is the assurance that all Knox students are eligible to receive basic medical care at the campus health center. Like most colleges, Knox does require that you either purchase their supplemental health insurance policy or file a waiver based on your family’s decision to continue your health coverage through your family’s policy. (Even though the web page talks about a $125 premium, it is referring to Spring/Summer; when you click the PDF and examine the policy description, it looks like the annual premium for 2011-12 was $210.) [Supplemental</a> Insurance | Knox College](<a href=“http://www.knox.edu/offices-and-services/student-development/health-and-counseling-center/supplement-insurance-plans.html]Supplemental”>http://www.knox.edu/offices-and-services/student-development/health-and-counseling-center/supplement-insurance-plans.html)</p>
<p>If only there was a “like” button calmom. I really do feel that if I got a 2000 on the SAT and had a 3.9, then maybe I would have been treated better.</p>
<p>My mom actually said that she saw on the Today Show that it’s better that I stay on their health insurance policy then the college’s. And thanks for the kind words TXArtemis!</p>
<p>I’ve just skimmed this thread recently, and I did chip in a brief critical contribution. So, calmom, my take on the answer to your question is that students like early<em>college don’t usually post on the Parents’ Forum. For this forum, early</em>college comes across as a bit bumptious, maybe.</p>
<p>To take the post that bugged me, for example, it’s one thing to say he or she doesn’t find Georgia a good fit, and wants to get out of state for college. Nothing wrong with that, I agree. But is there any need to be quite so disparaging about out second-level state universities, characterizing them as “tier 4?” This kind of language, from somebody who after all, has weak test scores, tends to rub some adults here the wrong way, I think. Particularly as many of our own kids are both more accomplished and more modest.</p>
<p>To all the posters badgering EC to get a job: he has said that he has a savings account with $2000. That is more than enough to cover incidentals until the pay checks from work study start coming in. I think it is more than my daughter had starting college, in NYC. I think my d. went of to college with about $1700. My daughter had nothing in savings and got her money from a summer job, but I don’t see that it makes much of a difference. My son had more money in savings (like EC, he’s a saver), and he didn’t work the summer before he went off to college, nor the next summer either. I don’t think it much matters – $2000 is plenty to start off a fall semester. </p>
<p>It is true that the work-study student has the responsibility to find a job and schedule enough hours to earn their full grant… but why assume that EC can’t do it? My kids managed ok, I didn’t give them an allowance or send them money when they were in school.</p>
<p>Obviously EC could strengthen his position financially if he also works for $ over the summer, but that really is a choice for him and his parents. I can see why his parents might really want him to spend the month with his grandmother, knowing that it might be the last extended visit he ever has with her. (Once my kids went off to college, it was pretty rare for them to have the opportunity to visit their grandparents). I think it is lovely that EC obviously has such a close and loving relationship with his grandmother.</p>
<p>No offense, but it’s really hard to judge my one comment when you’ve only skimmed this thread. That particular comment had much more to do with years of rudeness from other CC members. There is nothing wrong with GA’s state schools, but I don’t think those particular schools are academically comparable to Knox. You also do not know my accomplishments, so can’t really compare. But my main point is that I have been on CC for years, so that comment had so much behind it.</p>