<p>cyanthus</p>
<p>Please don't think that my reference to designer clothes and handbags was addressed to you. I got "off topic" when another poster mentioned that her child was "turning her nose" at lesser known schools -- something my son (and the kids of others on CC) have also occasionally done.</p>
<p>Soo.... back to you. My posts about UCI were to you. :)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your amazing choices!</p>
<p>My advice:</p>
<p>Go to Wellesley-- and take out loans in your own name of $2-3K per year, which will mean your mom is off the hook completely. Work during summers as much as possible to reduce the amount borrowed. Consider becoming a RA to save on dorm costs.</p>
<p>Coming out with only $10-15K in debt is VERY doable. It is CAR-payment doable!! Paying $500/month, you will be out of debt in 3 years. It is SILLY to sacrifice your dream over a relatively small amount of money that YOU can handle. </p>
<p>If your mom is able to help you here and there without having a financial crisis, she probablty will-- but this system is designed to make sure your mom is not worried about her financial part and can support your choice. Remind your mom that the Wellesley alumnae network is one of the best in the country and will surely help you when job-seeking.</p>
<p>I agree that you should talk to Wellesley's FA dept... you may get a slightly better package, and it can't hurt to ask.</p>
<p>Your words that your dad has "been kind of flakey" sends up a "red flag" to me. If he takes out a loan (assuming one big one to cover 4 years) how will you be sure that the money will "still be there" when year 3 or 4 rolls around? Will the money be put in your name (all of it) or will he have access to it, too? Also, if he is taking one big loan (as some do) will he resent paying back a loan (with interest) while the money for years 2,3, & 4 are just sitting in a savings account drawing lower interest?</p>
<p>I would hate for you to give up the UCI opportunity and then find out in years 3 or 4 that your dad won't continue the $$$. </p>
<p>I am also concerned about your mom. You say that she can afford a few thousand of years but it sounds like that leaves her without a "cushion". If she is taking care of her own mother, she has a huge risk on her hands already. My mom had a major stroke last year and medicare and her personal insurance did NOT pay for all of her therapy (my dad ended up spending 52K in cash within 3 monthes for the therapy that was NOT covered by his insurance and medicare (AND he had great insurance!) . If your grandma were to need expensive medicines (or co-payments) then your mom's cushion will be needed to cover that. </p>
<p>I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, I'm just trying to look "long term". You don't want to find yourself in years 3 or 4 without as much parent help as you thought you were going to have. If that were to happen, you would have regretted not taking UCI (which can give more $$$ to its Honors program students -- according to what my "honors book" says about UCI). don't forget, you can get the "smaller college feel" in an Honors program --- smaller classes and honors dorms provide that small college feel.</p>
<p>SB's advice is fine (good point about small loans and not using mom's money) but it forgets that there will be travel expenses and cold weather clothes expenses to also meet. Who will pay for 3+ trips home each year? </p>
<p>Do you think that your career choice will pay you well immediately after you are out of college (so that you can pay a car payment for a "real car" and the "car-like" student loan payment PLUS rent, food, etc, etc.???) If your career is one that has a "slow start" financially, then paying two "car payments" along with everything else could be a problem.</p>
<p>If you plan ahead, flying coast-to-coast is about $300 RT. There is no need to do this trip 3x per year, though it is nice to get home that often. Most kids would do it 2x (Sept/June and a trip home for winter break.)</p>
<p>Winter gear is not too bad... My D wound up with a down parka for about $50, LL Bean-style snow boots $60... The outerwear is the big thing; most kids just wear normal jeans & sweaters under the heavy coats. Secondhand stores & ebay are also good for heavy coats. </p>
<p>When I went back east to school I got a job at a local army-navy style store that sold typical student stuff-- wool sweaters, snow boots, jeans, squash rackets-- & I got a 50% discount there.</p>
<p>Figure a max of $1,000 on travel & the east coast extras (less in subsequent years, when you already have the clothes.) </p>
<p>As for the loan payments, I completely agree that a low-paying job makes the debt much harder; however, $500 per month can be earned waitressing 2 nights a week on top of a 9-5 job. One can live at home to save rent. There are many ways of working this out. </p>
<p>If OTOH, the debt was going to be extreme, I would vote for UCI... Just seems like here it is doable, and if a kid is willing to pay for her own dream, she should have it come true.</p>
<p>"Figure a max of $1,000 on travel & the east coast extras"</p>
<p>With spirling gas prices and the fact that when students travel, it's high season, I think that the above figure is optimistic. </p>
<p>I do think that working 60 hours a week during the summer, working during school breaks (in additon to the work study job the OP plans to do) can help fill the gap.</p>
<p>The OP also could plan to do something after graduation such as Americorps, which would give her some money to pay off student loans. I think that after completing a year with Americorps, one gets about $4,500 for that purpose. Teach for America is another program that provides help for students paying off loans.</p>
<p>Depending on what field she plans to go to, she also may be able to get outside merit aid for senior year. Such aid is more likely for students majoring in the sciences or preparing for careers in education or journalism.</p>
<p>Well, from the way you've described, Wellesley is over 4 years $10-$12k cheaper than UCLA. The cost over the $18k is (if I read it correctly) definitely doable, even if your dad doesn't give you a dime over, and you get nothing from your dad. It doesn't sound to me like if you choose UC-Irvine, any of that cash saved by your dad is going to go for other educational purposes for you. I don't know a lot about UC-Irvine, but under these circumstances, it would seem to me that the Wellesley premium is well worth it.</p>