Naturally since it is May 1st this is the big day that everyone decides where they will spend their next 4 years calling home. I had originally put down a deposit for University of Delaware in the beginning of the month but now I am having second thoughts. It’s the last day for me to think so any responses ASAP would be very much appreciated!
I visited both University of Florida and University of Delaware. My hands-down top choice was University of Florida, everything about it had captured me entirely - the kindness of the people, the perfection of the climate, the strong school spirit, and the strength of the academics. UF is ranked higher than UD, and I love the college town feel and the closeness of everything I could ever need. However, UF did not grant me any scholarships, so I would be paying the full OOS (from NY) cost of attendance of roughly ~45k/year. This adds up to a total 4-year attendance cost of about 180k. When compared to UD’s 15k/year award to me, creating a yearly cost of roughly ~31k/yr, and 4-year attendance would be just under 125k.
I know it might seem silly of me to want to go away and blow an extra 55k on my undergraduate education when I am looking into medical school as well but I just want other peoples perspectives. Everything about Florida reeled me in and I was so passionate about attending until I had received my notification of receiving absolutely no financial aid from them. It’s just to me, that college is a one-time experience, and the atmosphere of Florida seemed perfect for me. Of course I know I would be able to find my place at UD but my fear is that it won’t be anything like what could have been. My parents make about 150k/year and they said they would be willing to help me pay it off but do you guys think that it is not worth changing?
PS. If anyone knows any information regarding UF’s financial aid appeal process, (i.e. if it’s likely that if I demonstrate more financial need they will help me?) anything is appreciated
Your parents are already being very generous paying for UDel considering their income. You shouldn’t make them take a loan that will burden them for years on end, when you have an excellent, more or less affordable choice at UDel.
Oos students are admitted for the extra money they bring. UF doesn’t meet need. There’s no way UF will review their financial aid offer.
If your parents are willing to pay $31k/year for UD instead of making you go to a ~$20k/year SUNY, I’d go there. Colleges have no motivation to reduce rates for OOS students, so I wouldn’t expect a better deal. Since you want to go to med school, if you have no loan and/or a commuter option I’d consider them, but I wouldn’t consider paying more.
I think the enrollment deposit isn’t binding if changed by today although I don’t know if you would get it back. I would not attend a school I didn’t want to attend simply to save the cost of the deposit but these are both very good options with quite a bit of overlap in terms of characteristics. In light of that, your experience (positive or negative) is more likely to be impacted by chance happenings (meeting a few students you are particularly compatible with, finding a course you particularly love) than whether you are at one vs the other.
i have already put my deposit down for UD, i guess i should just stick with it… even if i were to bring this up to my parents right now they would probably turn me down now that they’re already thinking they are only spending 30k/year.
Your parents can’t afford UF. They’re being quite generous, considering their income, offering to pay for Udel, when a SUNY could be about half that. In six months you won’t be thinking about UF, and you may even be able to spend Spring Break there without any debt. UDel may not be as highly ranked as UF, but it’s pretty good, the campus is nice, and East Coast cities are all within easy reach.
even if i were to bring this up to my parents right now they would probably turn me down now that they’re already thinking they are only spending 30k/year.