Scranton - just too expensive?

<p>Is Scranton just too expensive? Received a nice scholarship, but the amount is the same as other less expensive schools. I was expecting them to increase their merit aid to match their high tuition. Their endowment is the same as my other less expensive schools, but other schools were more generous. Very disappointed because I'm not sure I can go there now. Anyone else in the same situation?</p>

<p>I don’t know exactly how much scholarship money you received but I know that Scranton offers a very solid education and definitely doesn’t get the recognition that I think it deserves. I got into Scranton with a $9,000 scholarship which brings the tuition down to about $41,000 a year. I know that Scranton doesn’t have the D1 sports or Greek life or the big school feel however, I am definitely considering it. I know that everyone who goes there loves it and is very enthusiastic about it. Good luck deciding!</p>

<p>The quality of a Scranton education is not in doubt. In your example, 41,000 per year tuition and room/board after a scholarship is alot. Very few people can afford that. Scranton is now at least 36,000 more over four years than another jesuit school I’m considering and 58,000 more than a state school I’m considering. I’m disappointed because I love Scranton so much. It’s just too expensive relatively speaking to other private schools.</p>

<p>zoolander ~ is it possible you will be awarded some need based aid?</p>

<p>Thanks for asking Kitty56, but no I won’t qualify for any need based aid. I’m sure alot of people are in the same situation.</p>

<p>Oh you must read my post. I go there to btw <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1275321-parents-want-you-transfer-because-schools-cost.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1275321-parents-want-you-transfer-because-schools-cost.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Wow Columbia09. I did read your post and what a story. I can’t believe they messed up your financial aid and told you after you had already turned down other colleges…that’s just wrong. I wish you the best of luck making a decision. If my two cents count for anything, one of my top choices is SUNY Geneseo. The difference between Scranton and Geneseo is the pre-med society and advising. If you can get in there, it’s a really good school. I am also a pre-med major. Can you tell me what you think about the program at Scranton? Is it really as good as they say? How is the pre-med advisor and the science professors?</p>

<p>Okay. To me, I really don’t see anything thats special about the program. I was very lucky to get the best 2 gen bio and gen chem professors last semester. Other people weren’t so lucky like my roommate and winded up doing poorly. Now it wasn’t his fault because he actually studied more then me. It was just that his professors were really bad. Scranton has a program called HPO (health professional organization) which serves as a guide for people looking to enter the medical field. Now about our medical adviser…I didn’t have a meeting with her yet but from what I heard shes crazy. She made one of my friends cry and she says things like if you don’t get up at 8 30 on Saturday, you won’t get into med school. Yea shes like that. Also another thing to note is that science classes at the U are rarely curved. So what you earn is what you get. I wished more people knew about that being the U is a Jesuit school it could get pretty hard. Med students also have to take practicals. Now when I took them they weren’t that bad but a lot of people say their hard while you only have to study to do well on them. Thats all i could think of for the pre med side. The U itself gives crappy FA and is very cheap on scholarships and as a result I can’t stay. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input Columbia09. From what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like you should stay and pay high $ if it’s not the program you thought it would be. I don’t know much about transfering, so I can’t advise on this. Geneseo and Binghamton are the best SUNYs. One of your posts said Penn State which is good but large. Maybe consider Pittsburgh? Xavier University is also a great Jesuit school with a similar structure to Scranton and also a great pre-med program. Tuition is 6K per year lower and they are more generous with $. Not sure how far away you live from Cincinnati. Canisius College in Buffalo is also a great Jesuit school with a great pre-med program. Good luck!</p>

<p>thanks !! good luck with your choice</p>

<p>Hey, I’m not pre-med, but my freshman seminar professor was the pre-med advisor, so I can tell you a bit about her. She’s definitely an intimidating person, but willing to work with students if they work hard. She’s also VERY much a morning person- I think she gets up at 4 or 5 every day, so that’s where the whole “8:30 on Saturday” thing comes from. But she acknowledged that not all people are like this, and emphasized that students need to figure out when they study best and work around that.</p>

<p>She did push getting up early on the weekend, but her point was that students should just be conscious of their time- you can lose a lot of time and waste a weekend if you sleep until 1 or 2. You can also save time in food lines, etc. if you get up early. Her emphasis is that students, especially pre-meds, need to organize their lives and use time efficiently. She’s big on planners and lists. Scary? A bit. But she can be very friendly if you’re polite, respectful, and willing to work.</p>

<p>I have friends who are pre-med and they seem pretty happy so far (except when practicals come up- then they spend a straight week panicking!). Their science classes are definitely challenging, but as Columbia says, how well you do does somewhat depend on the style of your professor, as it would at any school. It’s a lot of work, no matter your instructor.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input fruitivendelo!</p>

<p><em>Fruttivendolo</em>…sorry for the typo.</p>

<p>Haha, sure, no problem! Let me know if you have any other questions. As far as the scholarship stuff goes, I’d suggest applying for outside scholarships that’ll help you no matter what school you choose. They might make Scranton affordable for you. And if worst comes to worst, you can always talk with financial aid. Might not make a difference, but it’s worth a shot.</p>

<p>It won’t I tried it -_-</p>