Recently accepted, but...

<p>Yes it’s definitely worth it. Think about Columbia about everything usual (education, brand, etc.) but remember that thanks to Columbia’s network, you will land a total different life than after going to UWash.</p>

<p>I thinks it’s all relative. If you come here and do really well academically and network, the possibilities can be endless. Of coarse, one should not expect that just by graduating from an Ivy he/she will be guaranteed the proverbial “good life.” </p>

<p>Columbia will present you with MANY opportunities. One could say that other schools provide opportunities as well, but Columbia is a different beast. Columbia can provide a unique canvas to accomplish a lot.</p>

<p>That being said, if money is big issue, I would really think long and hard about your decision. Before, when Columbia College did not offer need-based financial aid, MANY people, after being accepted, had to turn Columbia down. In fact, it was not long ago that all of the Ivies were regularly turned down for cheaper state-school options. </p>

<p>Once GS fixes its financial aid problem, people will not have to make such a tough choice. Until then, however, only you can decide whether it is really worth it.</p>

<p>The best advice I can give you is to pursue graduate or professional school regardless of where you go for undergrad.</p>

<p>I have also been struggling with the issue of taking out private students loans to attend Columbia and I’m going for it regardless. I already have quite a bit of debt from my previous education and I believe that adding to this debt to attend Columbia will possibly be my only way out. I (perhaps naively) am hoping for a much better chance at a either a career or further education after attending Columbia than the opportunities offered by the school I’m leaving.</p>

<p>I personally received a lot of money in federal aid and I am borrowing heavily this first year, with the hopes that I find a good balance between a school and a job. Between working out a favorable employment and the possible increase in GS scholarship aid after that (plus becoming a resident in NY), my private loan needs should decrease. </p>

<p>Because I was just accepted, I can’t actually speak to whether this whole experience and education is worth it. For me, already having student loan debt cinched it for me… I’ll already be paying back loans for years… why not increase it this amount to attend my dream school?</p>

<p>Best damn post ever written. Don’t really care for your misplaced insults toward the school, but I know it was really meant at random.
(This was meant towards youngadults post in the first page, but I don’t know how to add it under his post)</p>

<p>What is the average amount in financial aid that GS student receive?</p>

<p>Well, I received $8000 for my phi theta kappa award, 5550 for pell, and 1900 for another grant. Plus another 15,000 in loans. Which means that my tuition alone is going to cost another 1000 (for 28 credits fall/spring).
Some people say that undergrad doesn’t really matter and don’t get into too much debt, but I disagree to an extent. I believe that your undergrad does matter and that it is in those years that you as a person are molded. How you spend these years will ultimately determine the rest of your life! It might seem a little overdramatic but it is true. I had a poor public school education, it wasn’t until I got out on my own that I learned who I wanted to be, and I believe that undergrad institutions can help people “find” their way, as well. Now price is obviously a personal matter but I believe that a great education is worth the price. Aristophanes once wrote “Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but STUPID lasts forever.”
Also, another thing to consider is your future goals. Where do you want to go to graduate school? Which school will prepare you better for your field? Will living in New York help you realize your goals (through special affiliations and internships in the city)? You cannot belittle this question into a matter of whether or not you can pay for the school, because in reality it doesn’t matter how much it is, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
Regardless of the outcome, good luck to you. Your obviously competent enough to make wise decisions and I am sure you will. Hope to see you in the fall.</p>

<p>Now THAT was a really good post. And consider that youth ages, immaturity is outgrown line stolen :)</p>

<p>macho007,</p>

<pre><code> Patrick312 is absolutely right; that was a really good post! If going to Columbia means being in classes with smart folk like you, then it will be worth the expense to go there. Thanks.
</code></pre>

<p>I’ve never actually heard of a student moving to New York and getting state aid - I think that they call it TAP. I talked to an FA counselor about it and they said that you have to live in the state for a certain period of time AND that the state doesn’t count any time you’ve lived in any form of university owned housing towards state residency.</p>

<p>So, you basically have to live in private housing for something like two years to even be on the TAP radar. Becoming a state resident isn’t enough alone to qualify you.</p>

<p>Hmmm… I will have to look into residency requirements further. The website for TAP states you need to be a resident for 12 months to be eligible. The NYS DMV site says “students from other states or from other nations who attend school in NYS are normally not considered residents of NYS.” I wonder if my circumstances will be considered differently since I am not a traditional student- I won’t be living in the dorm with my mom’s house listed as my permanent address. If I’m not considered a resident of NY then I’m not sure what state would claim me! Becoming a resident isn’t a ploy to get aid… I really am moving my entire life to a new state…</p>

<p>Yeah, I know. Seems harsh.</p>

<p>But, yeah, I’ve had two roommates who were PhDs and lived in, and became residents of, New York state for five plus years and didn’t get it. Both lived in university housing the whole time and didn’t hold jobs outside of their academic departments. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about it too much right now. Sit down with an advisor when you get here and see what you can do.</p>