Hi! This is my first time posting on here, but I’m really unsure of what to do.
I got selected as a POSSE finalist for UMich. I originally was ecstatic about the school, but after visiting it and a few other campuses, I found that there are other schools I would prefer to attend. I love the benefits that POSSE provides and have heard mostly good things from last year’s UMich scholars. I know the school is prestigious, but I think I’d prefer attending Brown, Amherst, Pomona, or Wash U. I just don’t know if I should turn down the money and support that POSSE provides.
I have a 4.0 GPA (5.2 weighted), 10 AP credits, a 34 ACT, and strong extracurriculars. I am not a first generation student and have a high EFC. Money will be hard to come by from other schools, but my family is going to help me out a lot.
The decision is due very soon, and as of now I’m going to turn down the spot. I’m just not certain which decision is the right one.
How will you pay for these other schools that are $70,000 plus a year of money is hard to come by.
Michigan is a fabulous university.
Read this thread…it will give you food for thought. Unless younhave the money for those other schools (and it doesn’t sound like that is the case)…I’m not sure I would pass up this opportunity.
Thank you! My parents have adamantly told me not to take the scholarship, and other than one POSSE scholar who didn’t think Michigan would be a good fit for me, everyone else has been indifferent or has told me to go for it. I really do want to see if I can get into any of my dream schools, but I do need to still have the ability to pay for it. Wash U is pretty generous in merit scholarships, but I know I can’t rely on that.
How much per year can your parents give you without them taking ANY loans?
Have you run the net price calculators for the schools you listed above? Are the net costs affordable? If not…you either need to change your application list altogether or accept this offer.
I’m not a Posse expert…but didn’t you have to pick Michigan? Why did you choose this school to begin with?
My only comment…your list posted on this thread is VERY top heavy. And the schools mostly don’t give merit aid…or if they do…it is highly competitive. Do you have an affordable option on your application list in case NONE of,the schools you listed here end up being possible?
This looks like a prestige issue more than anything else. My guess is that your parents (and you) see a high stats kid and can’t believe that you won’t get into a fancier name than UMi- and who knows, you all might be right. If your parents are “adamant” that you turn down Michigan then it is fair to say, ‘fine, as long as you will pay for whatever college I get into and not expect me to take on loans’. As long as they will pay for it and you have a back up plan if you don’t get into any of those 4 schools- then there’s no reason not to turn down posse and let the place go to somebody who wants it.
Thank you. For me, it’s not fully a prestige issue- I definitely prefer smaller schools over larger ones. I visited Amherst’s campus and I loved it. Quality of life there is incredible and I definitely could see myself living there. They’re also building a brand new physical sciences facility, which is where I’ll spend most of my time (physics/astrophysics/astronomy major) I hope to visit Pomona soon. I met one of the professors at WashU and he sold me on research opportunities in my interests (physics, astronomy). I know Michigan is an outstanding school, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to commit to it right now.
My parents definitely want me to go to a “prestigious” school… and I did end up talking to them just now about affordability. They assured me they’d help me out if I don’t get a lot of money. I am really thankful for that… they are being incredibly generous. And I definitely do have a backup plan- those are only my top schools. I’m also applying to Michigan regular decision (which would be my top choice out of these), U Colorado at Boulder, and possibly U Arizona for astronomy. I’m also looking at U Toronto.
If your parents are OK with paying that EFC, and possibly more (as colleges’ EFC may be higher than the federal one), then turn down Posse if you don’t want it. But if they are NOT OK with paying whatever that number is, take Posse.
“Brown, Amherst, Pomona, or Wash U” do not give merit aid at all except for a very limited # of awards at Wash U. So you will be expected to pay that EFC, at least. You can take $5500 in loans yourself but beyond that it’s all on your parents, and some of those schools will include those loans in meeting your EFC so you can’t even count on that.
Look at this very carefully, talk to them again and BE SURE they can come up with whatever that EFC is. Better yet, run the net price calculators for those schools to get a more accurate idea of what your family will be expected to pay. “They assured me they’d help me out if I don’t get a lot of money” is not the same as hearing “yes no problem” to you asking them “it’s going to be $65,000 a year if I get into _____. Is that definitely doable for you for four years mom and dad?”
I didn’t exactly word that response in the right way, but I have spent the last hour talking to them about money. I calculated the net price for all of my top schools with them, and they told me they would be able to cover whatever is not covered by aid. Because of that, I think I’ll give up my spot so students who need the money more will have this opportunity. Thanks everyone for all the responses… I hope this doesn’t sound too arrogant or focused on prestige.
I’m a bit confused about how OP made it into the POSSE program at all, which, per its website, is “designed to identify young leaders who might be missed by traditional admissions criteria, but who can excel at selective colleges and universities”. I may be off-base, but OP seems to possess all the credentials targeted by traditional admissions criteria and appears capable of making his/her way through the college process and through four years at a selective college without POSSE’s scholarship, pre-college training or post-matriculation support. Perhaps it would be best if OP decided to forego POSSE and allow another student who truly needs the program to take his or her place?
I was nominated by my school and was honestly really surprised they offered me a finalist position. They ask for ACT/GPA in the semi-finalist round of interviews. I decided to give up my place and hopefully someone who needs the financial aid more than me gets offered the open spot.