<p>Based on what you said, you don’t have $40,000, right? If you have that amount yes it’s enough so disregard what I said. But it $40,000 is, as you said in #3 what you <em>plan to have</em> through family contribution, loans, grants, and scholarships, it’s not enough, because the scholarships aren’t guaranteed at all.
Same thing for the Trustees at Purdue: right now your GPA/SAT scores aren’t competitive but let us imagine that you get it.
COA is about $43,000 OOS. - the highest level Trustees ($16,000) = 27,000. - Loans ($5,500 maximum freshman year) = 21,500. - work study (2,000 typically) = 19,500.
If you really want to apply, do, especially if you think you have a chance, but does your mother have that amount of money?
And now, keep in mind that this is the best you could have, you could get a $5,000 scholarship instead of the $16,000, raising the price to over $30,000. If you HAVE that money (not counting on loans and grants etc) then it’s fine. If not, you need to diversify your list.
Right now, SUNY Buffalo is your only academic+financial match.
I second exploring URochester, GWU, and BU.
It’s not about being cocky, it’s expecting that because you’re smart the money will sort itself out. For cash-starved/defunded public universities, it won’t. Since you’ve got good academic stats, look into private schools that may provide you with enough scholarships. Explore a variety of in-state public or out of state private options.
Applying to a few schools just to know that at least you tried is fine. You can apply to a few like that, no problem. But to apply only to financial reaches is madness, unless you’re fine getting your parents into debt or going to UConn. You need to hedge your bets with 2 solid choices that you know you can afford, that you’d like to attend, and that you’re sure you can get into, plus a few matches (schools that are better academically than the safeties and affordable financially). I totally understand that Rose Hulman might not be for you (although it’s #1 for undergrad engineering education, it’s also very isolated), but look at a variety of Tech Schools that are affordable. Run Net Price Calculators. Talk with your mother to see how much she can afford and don’t accept “whatever it costs”, you need solid numbers. Many parents don’t realize how much their EFC is, until it’s too late, for example. And then their kids are stuck in an untenable position, admitted to schools they can’t afford.
Many schools on your list are academic matches but they’re not affordable matches. Don’t be among the kids who cry here on CC come March or April because they didn’t make a proper college list. Just look at the “Chances” thread and the kids’ responses: how many take net cost into consideration? Then compare those with the adults’ responses -many of whom are involved in this business in one way or another, and know what they’re talking about.
Getting in is only half the job, paying for it is another one.
But don’t take my word for it. Use College Abacus <a href=“https://collegeabacus.com/[/url]”>https://collegeabacus.com/</a>
and compare costs between various schools.
You can also check out the blog of a financial specialist who focuses on colleges, [The</a> College Solution |](<a href=“http://www.thecollegesolution.com/]The”>http://www.thecollegesolution.com/)</p>