<p>So, full scholarship at state school, which is not that bad. Everyone thinks I should just go, no question about it. I also applied to a bunch of other places including some ivies, and I pretty sure I will get into at least one of the twelve other schools I applied to. I won't get any aid, I don't qualify. So, my dad will be paying 50,000 a year for my sis and for me if I choose to go to one of the other schools I get into. Some people think that is stupid and that i shouldn't "bankrupt my dad", and they say undergrad really does not matter. No one i know goes to a top school. They say it is totally not worth it. I don't know what to do. I will feel really bad if I don't take the scholarship, but I didn't even apply for it, they simply gave it to me when I applied. I know my dad can handle paying, but it is still a lot of money, and will be somewhat of a burden on him, we're not super rich or anything, but don't qualify for aid though. But then I will always wonder if I would have liked it better at the other school. Can someone please help, because the money is a lot, and I don't know if I could handle that weight on my back. Plus a few of my close friends think it is dumb to spend all that money on undergrad, and the more I think about it, it would be 200 k after all is said and done, and I for sure plan to pursue graduate studies, so there's a lot more money to spend too. Anyone have any advice on what I should do? Has anyone encountered a similar problem?</p>
<p>thanks in advance to those who reply!</p>
<p>Why don't you wait and see where you get in first and then you can make an informed decision about the costs.</p>
<p>first off, there are a million other threads like this so your not the only one in this situation. take a look around and see what other people have decided. its really up to you in the end, but i'll give you my input. i agree with your friends that you should go to your state school. if its pretty good, why not? in the long run it doesnt matter where you go as long as you get your degree you will carry yourself.</p>
<p>the costs wherever else I go will be a lot more than the free ride I have, the least it would be is maybe 30k a year room and board. So I will have this dilemma no matter what, and I want time to decide, I don't want to have to make a rushed decision. Can someone post some thread links with this same topic for me?</p>
<p>any more suggestions?</p>
<p>If you get into a top college, but don't want to pay the big bucks, and if you don't want to go to your state school, then take a year off and apply to colleges that are likely to give you major merit aid. If you are good enough to get into an Ivy, you'd be good enough to get major merit aid at many generous second tier colleges and at some first tier ones.</p>
<p>i would never consider taking a year off, that is totally out of the question, so what would you suggest if I don't take a year off?</p>
<p>"...I will always wonder if I would have liked it better at the other school..."</p>
<p>And if you go to the school you have to pay for, you may wonder if you would've been just as content at the free school -- perhaps happier knowing your choice didn't burden your parents!</p>
<p>yeah, that's the dilemma, i can't figure it out..</p>
<p>You can't predict the future. You don't know which school will have the professor whose lectures motivate you, or which school may be the school your future spouse attends. If the schools to which you're admitted all seem solid and you think you could be happy at any of them (and they must meet these criteria or you wouldn't have bothered to apply to them), then if I were you I would choose the one that would be most cost-effective. I would be able to breathe easier and wouldn't feel a twinge of guilt or the pressure that comes with knowing my choice is any sort of a burden for someone else. It's a deeply satisfying feeling to know that you're paying your own way with a scholarship and you'd get to feel that every day for four years.</p>
<p>You could take the better and more expensive school, take out some loans and work during the summer and during the school year to reduce your Dad's costs. You also could pay him back after you finish your education and get a fulltime job.</p>
<p>yeah, but I always have felt that I want to go and experience new things and have opportunities that I couldn't have here, and the state school would be with the same people etc. I feel like I could make the most impact from a more highly regarded school, but could I do the same at the state school? But is the "wanting to meet new people" thing worth that much money. I don't know... I don't know what to do and I don't see things clearing up very soon. I only have three months to decide(deposit due May 1).</p>
<p>Oh yeah, anyone half links to similar threads?</p>
<p>well, it is a given that I would have to pay my dad back in the end anyway, but I don't know if the summer jobs and loans would be worth the effort if I could just go for free at state school? I know I'm going in circles, it is just such a big decision, and I don't want to make the wrong decision. Oh and thanks to those that replied!</p>
<p>hahaha, "half", sorry i mean "have"</p>
<p>If you wouldn't be willing to take out loans and work summers to go to the other college, sounds like you'd be fine going to the state school.</p>
<p>I could have lived at home and gone to the good (but not great) LAC down the street for free. However, I never considered doing that because I wanted to get out of my hometown so badly. I even worked 60 hours a week the summer before college, and I worked during my college years and during the school year in high school because nothing was going to force me to go to college down the street.</p>
<p>Since you seem OK with the free ride at the public university, take it.</p>
<p>I think that you should discuss this matter directly with your family. You don't have to make this decision alone. </p>
<p>I am editing this to ask you: If you question whether to work and take out loans to help pay for the other college experience, why would you put that entire financial burden on your father's shoulders?</p>
<p>Full Ride at a state school > $50k for an Ivy. </p>
<p>Unless you'd be miserable at your state school, that's what I'd choose.</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice!! I didn't mean I wouldn't be willing to work, I'm just saying i might be happier working less and knowing everything is paid for, I'm actually looking for a job, and just filled out an app for a job at a coffeeshop. As for the loans, my parents wouldn't let me get loans because of the interest thing, predatory lending, etc.(it's a religious thing)So the burden would be on them for sure. Thanks again for all the advice, I really appreciate it!!</p>
<p>Again, links for similar threads anybody??</p>
<p>Money + Family </p>
<p>In my experience...this does not work.</p>
<p>Would you actually consider being so indebted to your father?</p>
<p>In the end, it is YOUR responsibility and not your father's.
Education, college-level education rather, is a privilege, an opportunity - not a right-of-birth.</p>
<p>If you're Ivy material then you probably will get into the honors track at the state school, I'd assume. And this in itself opens some doors. I don't think grad schools invest 100 % in where you went to school, so much as how you performed there. Whatever happens, just work hard.</p>
<p>This is my opinion...
Good Luck, whatever you decide.</p>