I am from and living in Virginia, and I am thinking of applying to Indiana University. IU has a great business school and I read their reviews/ratings and am really thinking of applying. However, my mom wants me to stay in - state because of the traveling distance from Virginia to Indiana.
I just don’t know what to do, but I am keeping my options open. I was also thinking of applying to James Madison University and Liberty Univerty.
Are you sure that cost doesn’t play into it? Why not UVA? What are your grades/scores? How much can your family afford?
My parents dont want me to go out of state, not that she wouldn’t support my decision if i chose to, but she would prefer i stay close. The thing is, they dont have anything to do with my college. I plan on getting merit scholarships and a job to pay for it so I really don’t need them. Personally I dont like them that much so i want to get far away and not have too many connections aside from coming home during long breaks.
You won’t be able to afford IU on your own.
There are a bunch of really good options for business school in Virginia. If you look at the cost/benefit analysis of the increase in out of state tuition along with travel to/from Indiana, it will be hard to justify the decision money-wise. If you think you will get a big merit scholarship at IU because of your grades, then consider UVA instead. Their b-school is highly ranked. If you are not in that boat JMU and VA Tech both have good business schools with co-op and internship possibilities. I’m not sure about Liberty. If you really want to be in Indiana/Midwest region and not on the East coast, then IU may afford you more job prospects but you will probably have a much higher school debt load to worry about. Either way best of luck to you as you decide.
What are your grades and scores?
The first thing you need to do is sit down and run the Net Price Calculator to find out your Expected Family Contribution. This will determine how much financial aid (grants, loans, etc.) you will qualify for and give you an idea of how much your schools will cost.
Back in the 80s it may have been possible to work your way through school and I think it is admirable. Unfortunately, times have changed and also schools that are out of state (OOS) will require you to pay full OOS tuition…which is usually in the $30,000 + range for tuition and fees alone.
Because you are young and a student, you yourself will not be able to take out that much in loans. It is doubtful you an find a job that will pay you that much either…because you also will have to spend your time at school.
What have your parents said they can afford for your education?
What are your stats? To get merit aid (at the schools that offer merit aid), you need some great test scores and GPA/rank. If you offer your numbers, maybe some people here can start to help you find the school that will give you the most merit aid OR direct you towards a need based approach.
Lots of kids are just like you== DONE with their hometown, their parents, their school. Don’t let this eagerness to set out on your own lead you to some very foolish financial decisions.
You are very fortunate to have both UVa and VA Tech as in-state, (relatively) low cost options that are among the best schools in the country. JMU is not far behind.
Unless your family is wealthy or you have scholarships/large FA, OOS and private schools are a poor value compared to the best in-state public universities. If you want an away from home experience, check into a junior year or summer abroad program through your university.
An OOS school may cost $250K vs $100K for an undergraduate degree. It is no surprise that many families stay in-state when the options are attractive, like in Virginia. This is the time to have a serious, adult conversation about what your family can comfortably afford and what value you perceive each college would bring for you when making your list.
Is jrgib98 the same person as trevo45…?
No
@rebeccar good catch.
If you want to be “away” from your parents, an hour away is just as effective as a great distance. And it’s much more convenient if you for some reason want to go home. Maybe, to visit your friends or other relatives, or just spend a break away from campus. There are many good business schools in Va.
@Trevor45 why did you answer the question about what your parents will pay that was posted for @Jrgib98 if you’re not the same person?
Either way, you can’t get outside merit and/or earn enough money to pay for an OOS school like Indiana.
I don’t know your situation, but if you come from a family that doesn’t have a lot of money, the best deal you will find are the selective private colleges with big endowments. I don’t know if you are competitive for them, but they have very generous financial aid packages for families with that make <60k or so.
You are lucky to live instate in Virginia because you have so many options.
UVA, Virginia Tech, William & Mary, JMU, GMU, VCU and CNU.
You also have the colleges in DC which are not too far either.
All of these colleges offer good business programs that people from out of state pay a lot of money to attend.
You will need your parents information for financial aid and it is very difficult to get scholarships that cover tuition, room & board.
As a Virginia resident I understand not considering out of state options that maybe more expensive when we have excellent schools instate.
I wasn’t allowed to go out of state either. This is fairly common. If your parents are paying for your tuition and rent you don’t have much of a choice. Just suck it up and apply to in state schools. You don’t have to go visit home if you don’t want to. I rarely did anyways and I lived 2 hours away.
You all are misreading trevo45’s post. He is just relating to the OP that he has a similar situation, like danfer91. They don’t live in remotely the same part of the country, any of the three. Couldn’t be in more different locations. Please stop the public questioning of members like that. You were completely wrong and now it looks foolish that you accused them publicly. If you think they are violating the Terms of Service, report the post and we can check it out quite easily. Thank you.
Sorry I am confused. I am not Trevor45
@trisherella
I do not want to get “away” from my parents, I just want to explore my options. I will be able to afford an out of state school if anyone else is wondering.
Well you said you would get merit aid and work your way thru school. I have no idea about your finances but working to pay your way to a out state school is not a great idea. We also have no idea what type of merit aid you would qualify for so it is really hard to offer you any advice without some more details.