<p>I did not receive any financial aid from Amherst, so I am trying to convince my dad to let me go there using alternate resources (basically loans and making other sacrifices). However, he feels it is not worth it and spending that much money on tuition would be “irresponsible” as I have 3 younger siblings who still need to go through school (even though it may be in a long time). I understand his points, and they’re valid, but I want to try to convince him that Amherst is DEFINITELY worth the money & sacrifices. </p>
<p>Help me make a case for Amherst! For example: the open curriculum, 5 college consortium, etc. Especially focus on opportunities after graduation. Please help! Anybody.</p>
<p>Normally I’d say go where your heart desires, but you also have three younger siblings to consider. Maybe you and your father can compromise and instead of him paying all four years of your tuition-you pay some and he pays some. That way the burden is not solely on your father. Is your major offered anywhere else? Amherst is a great school, but most of the majors offered there are also offered at other colleges.</p>
<p>I’m undecided. Which is part of the beauty of Amherst–the open curriculum, I can explore my options. In your opinion, you’re saying it’s not worth going to Amherst? My other options are not the best schools; they’re good, but definitely not up to Amherst standards. This is my dream school, no doubt about it.
I just wanted people to sum up the good parts about Amherst, maybe students or alum and their experiences, in Amherst and once they graduated.</p>
<p>How much in loans (that you, and not your family) will be responsible for? Play a little on the loan calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) before you decide it is worth making the argument. (My opinion is $20k max is the safe amount, $30k only if you are sure you are going into a highly paid profession that won’t require expensive grarduate school.) But you can figure that out for yourself.</p>
<p>We are in the same boat as your parents, and it was a very hard choice that required sacrifices and loans. All I can tell your Dad is that the opportunities that both my children have had from being at an Ivy and Amherst, have been second to none. They got summer paying internships, including for THIS summer, that have helped to beef up their resumes for grad school or jobs out of college. My Ivy child was offered several jobs that came to him, not the other way around. I think right out of the barn, these kids get more opportunities because of having been at such terrific schools with well-known reputations. I am not saying that other kids at other schools can’t get good opportunities or be just as successful, I am only saying that in my experience, my childrens’ friends at other schools haven’t been so fortunate.</p>
<p>I tell myself I am paying a premium for great teaching, resources, and for opportunities that are significant. I have, however, asked each of my children to help pay for a year of their education to demonstrate to me that they really understand what a sacrifice this is; they are sacrificing as well.</p>
<p>Well, attending a school as unique as Amherst is a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that very few people can even consider. Your college education is a long-run investment, and it’s definitely worthwhile. I mean, if you were truly an ambitious and motivated person, you would be able to succeed in life–however you want to define success–wherever you decide to go to college. But, the intimacy and beauty of the Amherst environment, the close bonds you could form with your professors, and the complete intellectual freedom you could have here: you couldn’t find it anywhere else. You sound like someone who would make the most out of all the opportunities here as well, and that’s very important.</p>
<p>Ask your parents and younger siblings to make a sacrifice for you.</p>
<p>y would younger siblings want to make this sacrifice. They may not even understand what they are sacrificing. Also, why should parents or siblings sacrifice so much so as to disrupt financial normalcy at home? Not sure what you are talking about. PS There are plenty of other schools that offer creative intellectual environments!</p>
<p>Of course I’ll be willing to pay for part of the total cost. I’m going to be working all summer, I have money saved up in my bank account, and I’ll be willing to take out my own loans. It seems as though people who went to Amherst say that the sacrifices and tuition were really worth it, while others who didn’t go there lean towards saving the money. If I go there, my family will not be in destitution or anything, but they also won’t be able to go or do some of the things they used to. I am completely aware of this, which is why I’m torn. I don’t want it seem as if I am selfish for wanting to really go to this expensive yet terrific school. But honestly… I’ve been busting my butt throughout high school and to go to Amherst would be one of the greatest things to happen to me.</p>
<p>So the question is–make (for lack of a better word) my family find a way for me to go here so I get a great education and more opportunities once I graduate…OR go to another not-so-great school, allow my family to continue their lives without financial trouble (there still will have to be some sacrifices, all schools cost a lot of money & none are free), and hope for the best? </p>
<p>If I don’t go here, I’ll always wonder what would happen if I did.</p>
<p>This is more of my own rambling rather than asking for advice, but I’m sure there are more people on here struggling with the same issues.</p>
<p>Your parents will make the decision as to what they can afford, and whether the cost of sending you to Amherst or anywhere else will give them enough pleasure to forego other things.</p>
<p>So if they offer, you say thank you, and promise to pay it forward to your own kids. On the hand, if they say it would be irresponsible for them to do so, you have to trust that they have the best interests of your family at heart. You will learn later in life that you can’t always get what you want, and sometimes what you want isn’t what you really need.</p>
<p>BUT, as above, don’t take on more loans yourself than you can afford. (which I believe to be no more than $20k over 4 years, or maybe $30k at the outside if you are already aiming at a high-paying profession - and not law school or med. school, which will set you back another $200k.)</p>
<p>All I can say is that I hope your parents value a stellar education the way you clearly do. I have no doubt that it’s worth it and will pay off for you in spades. I hope you will show them these replies. In the end, if they are going to remind you constantly of their sacrifice or make you feel guilty, then I’d pass, but as a parent I would hope that they realize that you reached for the stars and got there (good for you!), and it would be a tragedy to send you back to earth! Good luck.</p>