<p>Madbean: It is so hard to make the financial call, especially when you “can” pay although it would be difficult. With my oldest, we laid out the implications of the loans he would need to pay along with the cost of things like a car, an apartment etc. He chose a school that offered merit money and to his first choice (rankings were about the same but first choice a better location and possibly reputation).</p>
<p>S2 (2011 HS) seems to be leaning toward the state school so he would have no loans at all - although that is only part of the equation. It is harder for me to have him turn down merit money at another, smaller school for the state school, although it will be less expensive for us. I worry about size, program cuts, attention, and rapid tuition increases. But also know the reality of no bonuses, possible complete job loss and no raises for several years. While I think there would be some financial aid in the event of a job loss, not sure it would cover enough and would likely include hefty loans. </p>
<p>The other question is whether your son is interested in professional school or grad school. S2 is also thinking he may want to do that so think no loan UG is the way to go. Large schools may offer great networking because there are so many alumni. OTOH, there are also a lot of kids calling on those same alumni.</p>
<p>Good luck. I can’t recall what he is deciding between, but it will likely turn out well either way.</p>
<p>One of the reasons it took my son so long to decide on a college was that we had done what mom2and did, and that’s tell him that we would only pay so much and after that it would be loans for him. After finding out that 100% of the graduates in his intended major are currently employed in the favored school, he decided that it would be worth it. We were rooting for that school, but because it was going to be his outlay after graduation, we felt that it had to be his decision. We did the same thing with our older two children. That extra bit of research into grad outcomes really did the trick.</p>
<p><quote>One of the reasons it took my son so long to decide on a college was that we had done what mom2and did, and that’s tell him that we would only pay so much and after that it would be loans for him. After finding out that 100% of the graduates in his intended major are currently employed in the favored school, he decided that it would be worth it. We were rooting for that school, but because it was going to be his outlay after graduation, we felt that it had to be his decision.<quote></quote></quote></p>
<p>That is exactly what happened with my son. We gave him the dollar amount we could afford and he chose the LAC over the State college (even though it meant a bit more debt) because of the job placement rate. I think it was good decision but it had to be HIS decision since he is th one paying those loans back. I shed quite a few tears over not being able to pay for him completely–second guessing decisions I had made --but we are having faith it will all work out in the end.</p>
<p>**The SS Indecision left port on April 1st.</p>
<p>Good morning from the bridge. The ship will stop in a few additional ports this month with the last port of call scheduled in 8 days when all final commitments to schools are due. We urge all remaining unconfirmed passengers to finalize their plans so that we do not end up with a last minute stampede down the gangway upon arrival in our final port of call on May 1st.</p>
<p>Just a note that while many schools are stating that acceptances need to be postmarked by May 1st, that date is a Sunday and the post offices are closed. The last day for postmarks is SATURDAY, APRIL 30th. (Unless your chosen port/school will accept an email or will extend to Monday, May 2nd - many will not so be careful and check with your schools!)**</p>
Laughter (I just can’t write LOL like the kids). </p>
<p>Hurray Ohiomom! So are there now more Duke parents than other on this thread? It seems so lately but maybe not. Great school.</p>
<p>madbean- sorry for the stress. The financial side was one that we struggled with initially here so I hear what you are saying. My advice is to be sure not to “bankrupt” your retirement years and only you can decide that. </p>
<p>Congrats LGSmom on your D’s jazz choices. Those both sound great.</p>
<p>Yea!!! Ohiomom you have reached the shoreline!! Waiting for you at the bar. I’m the one with the coconut shell drink with a pretty little pink umbrella in it!</p>
<p>Oh madbean…I am so sorry you are in such a tough position. I am keeping my fingers crossed the final numbers work out for your son.</p>
<p>There are very few parents, at least from what I can tell, who emerge from this whole process with no regrets. There is always something we could have/should have/would have done better if only we had known then what we know now, right?</p>
<p>“We urge all remaining unconfirmed passengers to finalize their plans so that we do not end up with a last minute stampede down the gangway upon arrival in our final port of call on May 1st.”</p>
<p> WE ARE NOW OFF THE BOAT AND U CHICAGO BOUND!!! </p>
<p>I hope you are all impressed that I figured out how to do my announcement in maroon!</p>
<p>Many thanks to everyone on this forum for your sage advice and support, with particular thanks to my private messaging pals EmmyBet, TXArtemis, 2education, FlMathMom, and ohiomom24, and to our master of ceremonies, AvonHSDad!</p>
<p>Will someone here kick me if I tell you that my daughter only applied to one school?
Early decision, accepted with a good scholarship, and that was that?
No long cruise, no indecision.
Hanging out on dry land waiting for you all to join me.</p>
<p>@325:Congratulations!! What a great school! Do you have a pennant? D got one at our local accepted students’ reception and now gets sad every time she looks at it, so I could send it along.</p>
<p>OK, so we’ve finally done the paperwork, talked finances and we are officially jumping ship!</p>
<p>My DS is going to PRINCETON!!!</p>
<p>Congrats Ohiomom on Duke!
Congrats 325 on UChicago!
Congrats to all others who have finally disembarked! We thought we better leave before the stampede!!! Hope the rest of you can leave soon. It was a nice cruise, but it was stuck in the doldrums (ref: Master & Commander) for a bit to long!!!</p>
<p>Today was the deadline I gave DS, and we got it done! Just as I disembark the SS Indecision, I leave tomorrow for my birthday cruise. Hope I don’t get seasick again! I will toast you all and wish you good decisions and peace with them while I’m gone. See you in a week, by which time I fully expect everyone to be on shore with their umbrella drinks soaking up the sun and enjoying some much needed relaxation time on the beach before we all head to graduation!</p>
<p>Princeton, U of Chicago and Duke are lucky to be getting some of our kids. Anyone know students who accepted schools near St Louis? Will destruction of airport change their decision?</p>
<p>Thanks SeattleMom! The first time she stepped foot on the campus of Fordham, Lincoln Center, she knew that was the place for her. Two more visits have only reinforced her decision.</p>
<p>LeftyLou- no envy, just glad your D found her “home” so quickly. I would not have missed the many trips D and I took together to all the “failed” choices- we had a lot of fun. So good can be found in most situations I guess.
Hurray for Princeton VA Mom!!! And U Chicago 325! Great choices.</p>
rom?? psych??</p>
I will toast you all and wish you good decisions and peace with them while I’m gone. See you in a week, by which time I fully expect everyone to be on shore with their umbrella drinks soaking up the sun and enjoying some much needed relaxation time on the beach before we all head to graduation!</p>