<p>I don't qualify for need-based financial aid, but I was wondering if I would be able to receive any merit scholarships - I got into the regular Scholars Program and the PriceWaterhouse Coopers Scholars Program for SOM, too. I'm hoping they can give me some money... a full ride or something close to a full ride is the only way my parents will let me go to Binghamton. Have any of you guys heard back from them about merit scholarships?</p>
<p>I haven't heard of anyone getting any merit scholarships. I really don't think you will be able to get anything close to a full ride even if you do get something. I'm going to call tomorrow. Are you stuck at a community college otherwise?</p>
<p>haha... quite the opposite - i got into upenn and cornell (both engineering schools) and nyu stern, and my parents are willing to pay for it, but i dont want to go. the only way i can go to binghamton is by getting lots of money... then again it's my choice, isnt it? :/</p>
<p>wait a minute -- your parents will pay for upenn, cornell or nyu but NOT binghamton? i doubt you will get much sympathy. and i think even most of binghamton's merit awards have a need component to them.</p>
<p>yea... i give up. it's their whole elitist thing and wanting me to go to a school with a nice name. if i go to a school they dont approve of, i pay by myself. i emailed a guy at binghamton and asked if the PwC thing came with merit scholarships - he said no. :(</p>
<p>I'm curious ninazoo why you want to go to Binghamton over Penn or Cornell?</p>
<p>I visited Binghamton last weekend and the admissions counselor said that there are no merit scholarships available for freshmen this year. =/</p>
<p>neuromom - i think binghamton is the more practical choice. ill be able to use all my 12 AP credits - if i do well on the rest i have to take in may this year - which can help me graduate early and shave off a year or two of college (prob with the help of summer classes). getting into the regular honors college and pwc scholars program is an incentive, too. i know upenn and cornell are nice ivy league names, but i think my ambition, diligence, and graduating at the top of my class at binghamton (if i can pull that off...) maybe with a double major or something will look better. plus, i applied to the engineering schools at upenn and cornell, and at binghamton, i might be able to do both engineering and business. and of course, money - i don't think it's worth it to spend an extra 100,000 for a name. I honestly think in 20 years, whether i go to upenn or binghamton, i'll end up in the same place with the same salary at the same "level" of happiness - but with $100,000 more in the bank if i go to bing. i think the person that i am will determine my future, not a name. i know that this all probably sounds super idealist and naive. and i dont mean to sound arrogant or anything at all, and i think this applies to anyone, really. but oh, well. life is life. i have a different philosophy on life than my parents do.</p>
<p>and there is my ramble. sorry for the length! agree or disagree? you all probably disagree. :/</p>
<p>ninazoo I wish you were my daughter- you sound so level-headed and grounded you will probably be very successful in life. I think you are totally right about your analysis of the cost/benefits and the "prestige" of the ivy league vs. the actual better education you don't necessarily get there. I'm just suprised your parents would not agree with your point of view. As an aside don't be in such a rush to finish college - you have the rest of your life to work. I'm trying to convince my S to take a gap year to mature a bit and figuire out what he wants to do with his life.</p>
<p>neuromom - thank you! i'm glad that there are some adults out there that agree with me. and i'd offer for you to take me in as your daughter but i'm already 18 :) i've thought about taking a gap year - i have a friend in the UK and apparently almost everyone does it over there because it's really beneficial to get real-life experience and to take some time to really think about things - but my parents don't want me to. So yea... pretty much my life comes down to either doing what my parents want or running away from home and being free. The latter option has been looking quite attractive lately...</p>
<p>ninazoo -- you have a fantastic attitude, very much like my D, who has chosen University at Buffalo over Penn, Brown, Michigan and BU, and for many of the same reasons as you expressed.She's excited about the Honors College at Buffalo and is planning on grad school, and likes the options she'll have available for the next four years (and grad school) by graduating with no debt. </p>
<p>I hope it works out for you and you are able to convince your parents of the thoughtfulness and maturity of your opinions.</p>