<p>I believe my parents knew throughout the summer what colleges and schools I was looking at, but now they are starting to crack down and getting worried about the very large price tag that comes with each school. All of the schools I am looking at are top-notch or fairly top-notch schools (Brown, JHU, Lehigh, Bucknell, Union, Muhlenberg, etc), putting them all above the 40K/year price.</p>
<p>We are upper middle class, so while we are financially stable, we are not very very wealthy. I am unsure how much aid would be given to me, and feel uncomfortable telling their salaries. We are upper middle class, and generally get the money that comes along with that class (if that makes sense).</p>
<p>What can I tell them? While my father wishes me to go to a state school, I think he knows that I do not want to go to one. He constantly expresses that we don't have enough money to spend $45,000 a year on college. But, I don't want this to stop me from going to a place like Lehigh or Brown (that may sound stupid).</p>
<p>But anyway, what can I tell them? What should I do?</p>
<p>Hardly any student is ever expected to pay the full tuition for a college. There are definitely options--don't neglect applying for financial aid! In addition to need-based aid (for believe-it-or-not, you can probably still qualify for at least something), there are many merit-based scholarships available, whether offered through the college or through a third party. I understand your parents concern over money...my parents are the same way. But do keep in mind that there are several options, and money should not be a factor in the application process. For now, keep applying to scholarships :) When you do get your acceptance letters, you can compare the costs--but remember that college is an investment! I hope you and your parents will be able to reach a compromise!</p>
<p>Amanda could not be more wrong. Money should be a major consideration in where you apply. At most of the schools you name, more than half pay full price.</p>
<p>You need to use calculators to figure out what the cost would be. There is one on this site.</p>
<p>If you don't qualify for aid, get the max number your parents are willing to pay now and believe it. They know what they can afford.</p>
<p>I know this will sound like pretty cold math, but if I have to choose between wiping out my retirement fund to send two kids to college, or sending you to the University of Washington, I don't even have to stop and think about it. Sorry kids, but I'm not willing to live in a trailer and eat cat food so you can go to MIT at full tuition. </p>
<p>My parents ONLY think about price. They're like "UCs are like $6500 instate blablablabla" I'm like what kind of education am I going to get at a UC? It's certainly less than the quality of education at an LAC...If price was the only factor I guess I should go to junior college. Or better yet, not go to college at all! :( I tend to think that the QUALITY of the education matters much more.</p>
<p>RT-you don't have to do that....that's kind of extreme. I mean there are ways for kids to go to college. Like if your kids can get into MIT then I'm guessing they can get a substantial scholarship at a top40 school...:D</p>
<p>OP: If you're upper middle class you're probably not going to get substantial money at like the top top schools, but the cohort of schools below he ones you named might be happy to buy you with their money...I understand your situation because I'm in it...although mine is more extreme. I don't even think my mom even CARES about the fact that I don't see myself at a UC and I'll be miserable there and transfer out and they'll be stuck with a larger bill sophmore year anyway. The only thing she looks at is the price tag. That's the only thing that matters to her. It's like buying a car you don't like just because of the price. In the end you won't be happy with your decision. </p>
<p>Gosh I wish I didn't have asian parents that are so ignorant about college in general as to worship UCs because of the price tag...I wish all the time that I wasn't considered a resident of Cali. Seriously. That way there's no reason for me to go to a stupid UC.</p>
<p>I doubt a public school would give you that much aid. Highly doubt it. There's a damn good reason that explains the ever-shrinking endowment of the UC system. And it's not a big muscular Austrian dude that mispronounces California all the time. It's because UC alumni (with the exception of LA/Berk) have a hard time supporting themselves with the paltry wages from their first jobs, let alone donate to their alma mater.</p>
<p>7th grade: "Hunny, if you can get into Harvard, we'll find a way to pay for it, you just work on getting in!"
Then Sophomore year came around and they realized I might actually get in "Hunny, I think you would LOVE it at Michigan Tech!"</p>
<p>Being upper middle class, their income doesn't qualify me for hardly any financial aid, but they aren't willing to put any of that income towards financing my education at a top school.
So, bad situation.</p>
<p>Have you considered emancipation? I think I'm going to look into it.</p>
<p>It's because UC alumni (with the exception of LA/Berk) have a hard time supporting themselves with the paltry wages from their first jobs, let alone donate to their alma mater.</p>
<p>.... mmmkay. Sounds like somebody took a bottle of bitter pills.</p>
<p>My mom is a Michigan Tech alumni, which automatically earns me a major scholarship
I do love the on-campus snowboarding hill,
but its in the middle of no where, and cold!</p>
<p>Um I never had any intention to major engineering, nor do I have any intention to major in engineering in the present or the future. And I'd much rather go to Stanford than Berkeley. But then if I had the grades to get into Stanford I wouldn't even be looking on the west coast.</p>
<p>My parents know what kind of schools I am applying to and know the price tags but they arent saying anything to me. My dad used to tell me that if I get into a good school (aka ivy league) that he would do all he could to pay for it but as we get closer to me goign to college I can tell they are getting worried. I know it is going to be hard for them cause both me and my brother will be goign to college at the same time (twins) and my family is like upper middle class so we really dont qualify for financial aid even though my parents are going to definitely need it. (60,000 at the minimum out of their combined salary of 100,000 is not going to be fun times...)</p>
<p>Don't be so sure that you won't get good quality at a state school. The other day, I talked to a student at the University of Maine who turned down Duke and UNC to come to Maine. He is in the Honors College, absolutely loves the school and thinks he's getting a great education.</p>
<p>
[quote]
7th grade: "Hunny, if you can get into Harvard, we'll find a way to pay for it, you just work on getting in!"
Then Sophomore year came around and they realized I might actually get in "Hunny, I think you would LOVE it at Michigan Tech!"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Haha, that cracks me up, that's so true. My parents were the same way. Follow your dream as much as it helps our cause, and then we'll shoot you down when, you know, when it actually might happen. The dip in my junior year was pretty much due to that. I was like, wow, I slaved to get into my dream school, and now you tell me I can't go. Thanks Mom, thanks Dad. F grades then, if you're going to be dirty about it ;). </p>
<p>Good thing I'm over that, though. Haha. Too bad I can't take it back...</p>
<p>Ughhh, I hate financial aid. It's so cruel to the upper middle class. I have the same problem as well..everyone else who responded. I'm not applying for financial aid, but my parents can't really afford $40,000 a year. My mom didn't start bugging me about until 2 weeks before my early application was due though. I just kind of..turned it in quickly so they couldn't change their minds, and now if I get in they'll have to pay somehow. Hahah. Really though, what could be a better use of your parents money than a quality education? Tell them that you'll take out some student loans. Also, if you plan to go to grad school, stress the importance of a good undergraduate education for getting in. And you'll make better alumni connections for later in life at a private school.</p>