<p>I didn't know where to should post this question, but I figured the members of the parents forum would be more knowledgeable on the financial side of college.</p>
<p>So I'm a transfer student from a community college and I was accepted to UMD (I live in VA). Total tuition will cost around 50k since I'm transferring in as a junior. The 50k would not include housing, so I would be commuting from Northern VA to UMD. I would most likely need to take out loans to pay tuition.</p>
<p>My mother also started a VA College Savers plan when I was younger so if I were to transfer into an in state school instead, I wouldn't have to worry about tuition. I was thinking I should wait spring semester out and transfer to VA Tech. Housing would cost around 25k, which I could probably afford without loans.</p>
<p>I know UMD is ranked a bit higher and it is located close to DC so it might have more job opportunities, but I'm leaning towards going to VT, just because I would graduate without loans. Is there anyway I could justify going to UMD instead of VT?</p>
<p>Sorry, but UMD’s ranking and location aren’t convincing arguments! Graduating without loans from a fine University is worth a great deal.</p>
<p>I assume the costs you mention are for the entire remainder of the four years? </p>
<p>Also not sure what you mean about job opportunities…do you mean working during college or once you graduate? Either way, I don’t believe there would be a significant difference between the two. Both schools are well reputed in the DC area, and have huge numbers of loyal graduates working here, and in a position to hire!</p>
<p>The above are the costs for UMD. On campus for an OOS student total is $38,500. Off campus $40,176. These are the cost for the current year. </p>
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<p>This is a VERY high estimate for housing costs. If you lived with roommates, or rented a room someplace, I doubt that your housing costs would be $25,000 a year. That is VERY high. That is over $2000 a month for 12 months. Sorry but I think you are WAY overestimating these costs.</p>
<p>Your total cost of attendance including room/board/tuition/fees/everything at an instate public in VA would be less than $25K per year…if you can “afford this” without loans, and you don’t want loans…go instate to a school in VA.</p>
<p>Still…I have to wonder why you would be looking at OOS options at higher costs, than looking at the VERY many in state options that Virginia offers in terms of public universities. I just can’t believe there isn’t a school IN VA that would meet your undergrad needs…and the costs would be less (no matter what).</p>
<p>I agree with thumper1 - your tuition & housing estimates seem too high for UMD.</p>
<p>Also, you haven’t said what you are planning to study. VA Tech is competitive with UMD in many fields. All things being equal, go with in-state tuition. Your pre-paid VA College Savers plan (VPEP? 529?) will go much farther in-state than OOS. If VA Tech doesn’t offer what you want in your field, there are many other institutions in VA that probably do. </p>
<p>There are certainly situations where OOS tuition is worth it, but with the difference I perceive between these two schools, I couldn’t justify it in this case. Also, having myself commuted for a year before transferring to a different school and living on campus, I think that living away at school is a valuable part of the college experience.</p>
<p>It’s funny, most Maryland kids would jump at the chance to go to VT or other Virginia schools; the grass is always greener, I guess. I, too, agree that your housing figures are way too high. If you were my child, I would steer you toward Virginia schools.</p>
<p>OOS tuition MIGHT be worth it if you have a compelling reason. And you might have just such a reason, but have chosen not to share it. Based on the information you’ve provided, VA offers a variety of state schools that would be more reasonable … in all senses of the word. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like this applies to you, OP; however, if you are majoring in something that is not offered in Virginia, you might be able to pay in-state tuition at Maryland through the Academic Common Market (or Education Common Market). You can do a Google search.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. Ya, I figured VT would be the better choice in my situation. I’m an engineering major, so UMD and VT are schools I have the most interest in.</p>
<p>Just to clarify what I meant by costs:
20-25k for housing costs for 2-3 years at VT (tuition would be covered under 529 plan)
50k for 2-3 years tuition at UMD with no housing, I would have to commute from NoVA
65-75k for 2-3 years tuition at UMD with housing</p>
<p>I’ve already been accepted to UMD for Spring 2011, but not VT since they were not accepting Spring 2011 transfers. So I guess there is some risk involved if I am not accepted to VT for the fall.</p>
<p>Engineering - go with VT, that’s their big strength. Especially since it’s much cheaper. I’ve worked with many aerospace engineers from VT and they’re good as any. UMD is good too but, again, the cost difference is big.</p>
<p>12icky, does your community college have any articulation agreements with any of the four year universities in VA? Go and talk to them. Articulation agreements usually mean that IF you satisfactorily complete your community college courses, you will be accepted by the four year school and your course work will transfer as well. You should check this.</p>
<p>^^Yes, NVCC, the community college I went to, does have an articulation agreement with VT, UVA, etc. I will not be applying under the agreement because I will be going to GMU for the spring to get more classes to transfer to VT. I think I have a good shot at VT though, since UMD accepted me, and UMD and VT are similar in rankings, right?</p>
<p>I’m sure there is some good reason that you are going to GMU for ONE term, but honestly I can’t imagine what it is. It’s too bad you didn’t take advantage of the articulation agreement between your CC and VT and UVA, both excellent schools. </p>
<p>Getting accepted this year to UMDCP has no bearing on getting accepted NEXT year to VT or UVA. Are you enrolling this term as a transfer student to GMU? If so, if nothing else works out, you can stay there.</p>
<p>^^Well I finished my NVCC degree in Sept. '10 so I’ve been out of school since then. I don’t want waste a whole year with no schooling since the earliest I could get into VT is Fall 2011. </p>
<p>Going to GMU will allow me to get some more credits that will transfer to VT. I spoke to an admissions officer, and they said it wouldn’t necessarily make me less competitive if I were to go to GMU and transfer from there as long as I keep my GPA up.</p>
<p>A. You need to live at home in NoVa to be with a sick parent who can’t be left alone at night</p>
<p>B. You have a part-time job at the Council of Economic Advisors, and YOU have the idea that will bring unemployment down to below 8% by 2012 </p>
<p>C. Rural life will kill you</p>
<p>D. There is some really unique program at UMD that isnt offered at Vtech</p>
<p>For prestige, and general proximity to DC for jobs after graduation, no. The differences in prestige/selectivity/quality are smallish, and for engineering, probably reversed. It may be handier networking in DC from Greenbelt (assuming you dont decide you want to live in LA, for ex) but for the cost difference, you could rent a really nice hotel room in DC a day every week spring senior year, and fly up, and still have $$ left over. </p>
<p>Seriously, to pick UMD there would have to be either a compelling personal reason to stay near DC, or you would have to have a really great, DC specific, term time job.</p>
<p>To add my two cents ----- you do NOT want to commute from NOVA to College Park, even outside of rush hour. The DC area just tied with Chicago for the most time lost in traffic and you’ll be feeling that pain way too often.</p>